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Blog: Now is the time to embrace technology
If the past six weeks are any indication, the predicted move to a broader use of augmented and virtual shopping for home furnishings is here.
Alibaba to U.S. businesses: ‘Open, sesame’
We recently learned of the strategic partnership between Chinese-based Alibaba and U.S.-based Office Depot. Although Alibaba isn’t as well-known here, partnerships such as the ones with Office Depot and last summer’s agreement with grocery store chain Kroger are elevating the Internet retailer’s U.S. presence. The new partnership could help Office Depot to better compete with [&h[...]
Issues I’ll be watching in 2019
Since joining Furniture Today almost six months ago, I’ve literally reported on companies from A-to-Z, including (of course) Amazon, as well as Burrow, City Furniture, Dutch Crafters, Expand Furniture, Fernish, Gjemeni, Herman Miller, Industry West, Jerome’s Furniture, Keystone Media International, Leon’s Furniture, Malouf, Nest Bedding, One Kings Lane, Podium, Quality Logistics [...]
Will Overstock go private?
In August, during Overstock.com’s second quarter earnings call, Patrick Byrne, founder and CEO, told listeners, “I’d be very interested in going private at or before the end of this year in the absence of some major understanding in the marketplace of what we’re doing.” The possibility of privatization tantalized Wall Street, and a record 936 […]
Is Wall Street falling out of love with Wayfair?
From the looming issue of online sales tax to a perennial lack of profits, one has to wonder if Wall Street’s love of Wayfair is waning. Wayfair closed yesterday at $65.79, about 33% lower than its highest close of this year, $97.52 on Feb. 16. The company, which went public in the fall of 2014, […]
Blockchain basics
Overstock.com, the Securities and Exchange Commission, cryptocurrency, logistics … any of these topics may have put blockchain technology on your radar. And now you may be thinking, what is it exactly, and why should I care? First, here’s why you may want to keep an eye on this technology. The technology will disrupt the way […]
The emerging world of data science fuels retail
There are many types of data and a plethora of applications in every industry, but in the world of commerce, the data is used to create algorithms to analyze and manage every touch point of a consumer’s shopping journey: search queries and social media ads, inventory replenishment and delivery scheduling, chat bots and email campaigns. […]
SEC probes cryptocurrency, not blockchain
Several stories today in the business press report Overstock.com’s stock dropping due to a cryptocurrency probe by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Overstock.com has not been singled out by the SEC. According to the articles, several companies with financial interests in cryptocurrency companies have been asked to provide information to the SEC. Overstock.com filed today […]