There’s no question that technology is increasingly important to consumers — and it doesn’t take research to prove that point. Still, Prosper Insights & Analytics’ annual research into what consumers consider expendable and untouchable shows just how important the internet and mobile devices are. In fact, technology dominates the untouchables in today’s budgets.

As an online marketplace for artwork from artists and galleries around the world, artcloud facilitates payments for hundreds of clients. Finding the new client on-boarding process too onerous with independent sales organizations, artcloud began working with Stripe; new clients can now be added in minutes, and customers can pay with all major credit and debit cards.

NRF is proud to provide our members with the online Retail Buying Guide to search for trusted vendors, products and services in the retail industry. Our guide is a user-friendly forum designed to bring suppliers and purchasers together. You can search by keyword, location, company name or category. Available whenever you need it, the Retail Buying Guide makes it easy to locate products and professional services geared to the retail industry. Click here to visit the online Retail Buying Guide! To advertise, please contact Sarah Allen for more information.

Rather than waste the last day of a beach vacation fooling with luggage transfers and long waits at the airport, Virgin Holidays has made the transition back to reality a little more seamless with its Departure Beach, due to open this summer in Barbados.

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.

Although the world of loss prevention is continually evolving, recent technological advances have accelerated its progress. On this week’s episode of NRF’s Retail Gets Real podcast, Barnes & Noble Vice President of Loss Prevention Rosamaria Sostilio discusses the “hidden side of retail” and what it takes for a woman to rise to the top in the industry.

More omnichannel touchpoints can increase opportunities for fraud. At NRF PROTECT 2018, Office Depot Director of LP Technology Don Burkett and Director of Corporate Investigations George Soto will share their strategies for controlling shrink and fraud.

Although retail industry employment fell by 6,400 jobs seasonally adjusted in March, it showed an increase of 30,800 unadjusted year-over-year, according to NRF’s calculations. The data excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

Commercetools, the leader in next-generation commerce software, has been selected by Falabella, South America’s second-largest retailer — with more than 400 stores and 38 shopping centers in seven countries across the continent — to be its commerce platform provider for its eight retail brands.

Walmart and Postmates announced an agreement to help expand the retailer’s popular online grocery delivery option to more than 40 percent of U.S. households. Postmates will help power Walmart’s online grocery deliveries beginning in Charlotte, N.C., with further expansion planned in the coming months.

Buccellati, the high-end Italian jewelry maker renowned for its refined craftsmanship, selected Centric Software to provide its product lifecycle management solution.

eGain, a leading provider of cloud-based customer engagement solutions, announced that Paylocity, a leading cloud-based provider of payroll and human capital management software solutions, selected eGain’s artificial intelligence reasoning solution to help guide its customer service team to fast, accurate and consistent answers as they continue their focus on providing high-touch client service.

Boxed announced the rollout of a premium service called Boxed Up, which offers member perks including 2 percent cash rewards, free priority shipping and exclusive access to special promotions.

Champion Athleticwear, makers of authentic athletic apparel since 1919, is bringing its brand to life in a unique and genuine way with its first U.S. store opening in Los Angeles.

Level Brands Inc., an innovative marketing and licensing company that provides bold, unconventional and socially responsible branding for leading businesses, announced a contract with Riley Rose, a beauty and lifestyle concept specializing in trending beauty products and curated home décor, targeting Gen Z and Millennial women.

Verifone Systems Inc., a world leader in payment and commerce solutions, and Francisco Partners, a leading technology-focused private equity firm, have entered into a definitive agreement under which an investor group led by Francisco Partners and including British Columbia Investment Management Corporation will acquire Verifone for $23.04 per share in cash, representing a total consideration of approximately $3.4 billion, which includes Verifone’s net debt.

Nike Inc. has acquired Invertex Ltd., a leading computer vision firm based in Tel Aviv, Israel, as it continues to strengthen its digital technology and talent as part of its Consumer Direct Offense.

Peatos, a revolutionary new World Peas Brand product by Snack it Forward, announced its launch in the produce section of Kroger stores nationally, effective in May.

Uber has purchased Brooklyn-based bicycle startup JUMP. JUMP and Uber have already been cooperating in San Francisco to try out the idea of a dockless electric bikeshare program.

Mobivity Holdings Corp., creators of the award-winning platform for driving customer frequency, re•currency, announced a partnership with Round Table Pizza and Global Franchise Group, operators of more than 1,500 restaurant locations across five brands. The two have expanded their relationship to include the roll-out of Mobivity’s full re•currency platform to all Round Table Pizza locations nationwide.