4 digital commerce disruptors to watch
Will these startups be the ones to shake up the retail industry?
To know me at all is to know two things: I love disruptive ideas — and I love helping retailers better do their jobs.
It’s no surprise, then, that the upcoming Digital Commerce Startup Competition has occupied my thoughts. Now in its third round, the contest is bigger and better than ever, aimed at highlighting the most innovative and disruptive retail and tech startups. That’s right in my sweet spot. Before joining NRF eight years ago — I’ve been VP of digital retail for a few years now — I spent time at a startup myself. The excitement and energy are unparalleled.
How great would it be to bring a surge of that to retail as a whole? Maybe you’re already doing it: Prove your idea by entering the competition. We’re accepting applications until July 11.
Three finalists will present at the upcoming Digital Summit. The winning startup will land $20,000, plus a chance to pitch 50 top digital retail and technology executives at a 2017 meeting of NRF’s Digital Council, among other prizes.
With all this on the way, we’ve been taking a lot at NRF about finding the next Pinterest, Warby Parker or Google.
Innovation is all around us. Here’s what’s been on my radar lately:
- b8ta: Not all the hottest startups are in the cloud. Opened in December in Palo Alto, Calif., this bricks-and-mortar retailer is aimed solely at helping consumers “discover, experience and buy the latest tech and IoT products.” I love this idea because hands-on user experience is front and center. CEO Vibhu Norby, one of four former Nest employees who created it, told TechCrunch the focus isn’t on selling products, but rather “educating the customers about this stuff.”
- The Datalogic Magellan 9800i: Speaking of tech, this bar code scanner has won not only a Guinness World Record (fastest scan of 50 items, taking 48.15 seconds) but also the 2016 Retail Business Technology Expo Innovation Award. Unlike a single-plane scanner, it allows cashiers to digitally scan 1D and 2D barcodes without requiring items to be specifically positioned. That speeds up the process significantly, as experienced by Ringeltaube airport shops in Germany. There’s also a customer-facing imager so shoppers can self-scan digital coupons from mobile devices, paper coupons and loyalty cards.
- We Heart It: Yes, it’s hard enough to keep up with the social networks you’re already aware of. How many more aren’t even on your radar? Exhibit A is We Heart It, with 45 million members worldwide. The inspirational image-based network’s following is mostly female, primarily between the ages of 16 and 25. It also has 20 million active users on its app and website. Those numbers only stand to grow: At the beginning of June, The Wall Street Journal reported that We Heart It has teamed up with influencer marketing group The Blu Market — whose leadership includes former Jonas Brothers singer Kevin Jonas.
- Rocksbox: Here’s designer jewelry without the pricetag. Rocksbox is rocking its own niche. It offers three pieces at a time — and free shipping — on a $19 monthly subscription basis. The site carries more than 30 designers such as House of Harlow 1960, Kendra Scott, Loren Hope and Sophie Harper. Granted, Rocksbox has been around for a few years now. But the company continues to innovate, using tech for greater personalization. CNBC wrote about CEO and co-founder Meaghan Rose, a Wharton School MBA and former consultant at McKinsey & Co. and Bain & Co. She expects to triple the business this year, and I’m looking forward to asking her about that at our next Shop.org event.
Looks like it’s your turn: Let your troublemaker tendencies shine.
See the Startup of the Year finalists on the main stage at Retail’s Digital Summit in September.
