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Well.ca acquired by McKesson Canada (BETAKIT)
Founded by Ali Asaria, the company’s former CEO stepped down from his role in 2013 and founded Tulip Retail.
DMS Recommends: Ask a researcher: Why shoppers are turning to search for ideas and inspiration (DMS)
Search has long been a powerful tool for the information-hungry shopper. But shopping behaviour is evolving as browsing and discovery move online.
Target launches its own mobile payments system with debut of ‘Wallet’(TECHCRUNCH)
Wallet, as the name implies, allows Target’s in-store shoppers to both check out using their smartphone and take advantage of their Cartwheel digital coupons and discounts with only one scan of their barcode.
GM thinks we want to use our cars like credit cards, but I’m not so sure (THEVERGE)
GM calls it “the automotive industry’s first commerce platform for on-demand reservations and purchases of goods and services.” The Verge calls it a solution in search of a problem.
Flexiti Financial makes POS lending platform available to online retailers(BETAKIT)
Canadian retailers can now integrate Flexiti’s financing options into their existing ecommerce engines. The company says that this allows retailers to overcome two key hurdles: speed of implementation and cost.
Burrow raises $4.3M for its modular sofa (TECHCRUNCH)
The Y Combinator-backed startup launched in April and says it has been growing 20 percent month-over-month since then, currently hitting a $7 million annualized revenue run rate.
HSBC hires Google engineering director for retail tech role (BUSINESSINSIDER)
HSBC said Warriner’s appointment is part of a $2.1 billion digital push at the bank, which includes recent innovations in retail and wealth products.
Toronto’s historic Cabbagetown storefronts filled with entrepreneurs embracing tech (BETAKIT)
Local entrepreneurs in Toronto are working to grow their business with tech.
Only one-third of retail IT networks ready for in-store experience (FIERCERETAIL)
According to research by software provider Zynstra, 20% of retailers have had to delay or not roll out new in-store applications due to IT limitation, costs, or concerns.
STRATACACHE Capital Launches Retail Tech Consultancy Q Division (QUESTEX)
The new entity will leverage assets from the STRATACACHE family of digital media/ad tech companies as an independent retail tech, connected commerce, and retail strategy practice.
Create more value than you capture: An oral history of Toronto product development(BETAKIT)
BetaKit’s first #longform piece looks back at 15 years of Toronto tech.
