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Shopify COO Harley Finkelstein joins CBC board of directors (BETAKIT)
Finkelstein is also a CBC Next Gen Den dragon.
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 behavior is evolving as browsing and discovery moves online.
Giving online retailers a physical returns location nets HappyReturns $8 million (TECHCRUNCH)
Happy Returns, which provides physical locations for online shoppers to return and refund unwanted purchases, has raised $8 million from U.S. Venture Partners along with previous investors Upfront Ventures and TrunkClub founder Brian Spaly.
Here’s what retailers have to prove in 2018 (FORTUNE)
With the major shakeout in retail of 2017 out of the way, survivors will have to show customers and Wall Street that they can do more than just survive and bounce from one retail crisis to another.
Amazon just bought Blink, a startup that makes wireless security cameras (BUSINESSINSIDER)
Customers who already own a Blink system won’t see any change. Instead, Blink will continue to make and sell its cameras under the Amazon umbrella.
Six technology trends driving seamless retail in 2018 (BETAKIT)
Voice and mobile POS are two big trends to watch out for in 2018.
Walmart is developing a personal-shopper service for rich moms — and a store with no cashiers (VOX)
A new Walmart subsidiary called Code Eight has recently started testing a personal shopping service for “busy NYC moms,” with the goal of letting them get product recommendations and make purchases through text messaging.
LIKEtoKNOW.it’s influencer shopping app hits 1M users (TECHCRUNCH)
LIKEtoKNOW.it allows users to “like” pictures from Instagram influencers and automatically get links to buy their outfits in their inbox.
Financeit receives investment from Goldman Sachs to acquire home improvement software company Centah (BETAKIT)
This investment makes Goldman Sachs a majority owner in the company.
Retail’s store of the future: Brand-free customization and tech-free service with a human touch (FORBES)
Chain retailers are courting everyday shoppers via in-store services brushed with a patina of professional expertise. The perks bear the mark of the human touch, and are decidedly tech-free.
Retail software startup raises $3.5M in funding (BIZJOURNALS)
HiConversion, which helps retailers convert a larger chunk of their existing web traffic into sales using statistical analysis and mathematical modeling, has raised $3.5 million from private equity firm Littlebanc.
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.
