The powerful tool drives superior customer service beyond inventory management — the technology can positively impact everything from sales and online cart abandonment to pricing and in-store customer service.

With more than 450 products and 500 employees, Stonewall Kitchen needed an updated website with mobile capabilities and the ability to conduct in-depth data analytics. The New Hampshire-based company saw nearly $200,000 in attributable revenue from a Salesforce.com system that enables retailers to connect with consumers online and via mobile, social and physical stores.

Customers of The Guitar Sanctuary have the means to buy its high-end instruments, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate help financing their purchases. Studies have shown that average order sizes increase when financing is possible: The Guitar Sanctuary attributes an increase in online sales to financing options offered through Blispay.

A customer-centric view became even more important as fast-casual chain Fazoli’s embarked on an aggressive remodeling and expansion program and reworked its menus to remove artificial ingredients, colors and preservatives from its dishes. The company’s next steps include a fully encompassed technology platform for customers.

Using its own proprietary internal loss prevention data combined with crime risk data from Location Inc., a 1,000-store chain based on the West Coast is managing physical and financial assets. Location Inc. uses location-based crime data, risk scores and forecasts to offer insight into crime risks for each store, calculated every 30 feet or so around each location.

Abridged versions of Build-A-Bear Workshops are popping up at popular vacation destinations — travelers at Beaches Resorts in Jamaica and Turks and Caicos, as well as on board all 25 Carnival Cruise Line ships, can create a cuddly creature to bring home as a souvenir.

The digital edition of STORES includes must-read pieces, including the articles featured here. Read the current issue and browse the archives for issues you may have missed.

As group vice president at Macy’s, Anne Voller is in charge of finding the best people and honing them for a career in retail. While attending NRF’s Retail’s Academic Symposium in Chicago, Voller joined the co-hosts of Retail Gets Real to share Macy’s approach to talent acquisition and how she contributes to elevating the retail industry as a career choice.

Like any business, retailers must prepare their establishments and employees for the impact of destructive weather conditions like recent hurricanes Irma and Harvey. Unlike most other businesses, however, retailers play a leading role in both preparations for extreme weather and help in the recovery.

Women's fashion brand Ashley Stewart was facing bankruptcy until current CEO James Rhee saw it's potential to succeed. NRF talked to Rhee ahead of his keynote appearance at Shop.org about the company’s reinvention and use of customer loyalty, social media and community to turn itself around.

Paytronix Systems, Inc., a leading provider of reward program solutions to restaurants and retailers, announced that Garbanzo Mediterranean Fresh has successfully integrated its Paytronix-powered V.I.B. Rewards Club with the OLO online order platform for a seamless customer experience.

Starbucks Corporation announced the appointment of Rosalind Brewer as group president and chief operating officer, effective Oct. 2. Brewer, former President and CEO of Sam’s Club and current Starbucks board member, has more than 30 years of management experience and more than 10 years of experience leading multi-national retailers.

TraQtion, a leading provider of cloud-based quality and compliance software, is now used by Hooters of America, the franchisor and operator of more than 425 Hooters restaurants. TraQtion will help HOA strengthen its food and beverage supply chain to ensure supplier and product compliance in 28 countries.

Aptos announced the appointment of Vicki Cantrell as the company’s inaugural retail transformation officer. Cantrell will serve on the company’s executive leadership team, reporting to Aptos CEO and culture leader Noel Goggin

Pitney Bowes has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Newgistics, an Austin-based provider of parcel delivery, returns, fulfillment and digital commerce solutions for retailers and e-commerce brands selling in the U.S. The deal is for approximately $475 million and is expected to close by late third or early fourth quarter

Global lifestyle brand Rebecca Minkoff announced a partnership with Alipay, the world’s leading third-party payment platform, which enables Chinese shoppers to use their Alipay Mobile Wallet to make purchases at any Rebecca Minkoff store in the U.S. as well as at home when visiting rebeccaminkoff.com.