
Watchdog instructs auto brand to remove or amend TV ad campaign
SA’s Advertising Regulatory Board finds Kia advertisement could be offensive to people with certain health disorders.
RETAIL STRATEGY
By our News Team | 2022
Fashion outlet in California combines a personalised physical in-store experience with the best that technology can offer.
Online retailer Amazon has made another move in its strategy to be in bricks-and-mortar stores as well, by opening its first fashion store at a shopping complex in Glendale, California.
This brings to fruition an announcement made earlier in 2022 by Amazon that it would be creating an outlet with a blend of data-driven technology that makes the customer journey unique in the fashion retail environment.
Photo via Amazon
In-store shoppers have the option to browse through the Amazon Style app and try their selections on in fitting rooms equipped with touchscreens to instantly summon more styles and size options.
The other option for customers is to peruse the in-store offerings and scan the QR codes on items they would like to try on, or have select sizes and colours delivered directly to the fitting rooms—which are assigned and unlocked with the app.
When the customer arrives at the room to try on clothes, their selections, along with additional Amazon algorithm-selected suggestions, will be ready and waiting.
Three goals for Amazon style
“Our three goals for Amazon Style are to make shopping more inspiring, personalised and convenient for each customer,” said Simoina Vasen, Managing Director of Amazon Style.
“While trying on clothes in-store, customers no longer need to get dressed and go out on the floor to see if their size is available. Instead, shoppers can keep ordering, trying things on and continue their shopping experience from the dressing room.”
In addition to trying on in-stock items, customers can ask to have their online fashion purchases delivered directly to the Amazon Style store, rather than to their home or workplace, to try on in one of the fitting rooms.
Returns can also be processed directly in store, saving shoppers from having to send them back to Amazon.
Watch a video of the Amazon Style store here.

SA’s Advertising Regulatory Board finds Kia advertisement could be offensive to people with certain health disorders.

Global study finds AI is helping marketers produce more – but is not creating the time and creative space they expected.

Urban Africa will double its footprint, adding the equivalent of more than 4,000 Manhattans or almost 400 Singapores, The Economist reports.

Luc Demez brings experience from Europe and African countries as the Carrefour brand looks to expand into Nigeria with a local partner.

What makes brands successful in Africa? A summary of the award-winning paper presented at Esomar’s first conference in Africa.

Woolworths supermarket chain embraces an AI-powered chef as it leverages two decades of recipes to answer an age-old family question.

Consumers are prioritising their wellness despite tighter wallets, meaning sportswear remains one of the most resilient areas of fashion.

Nominations for the 2026 African Marketing Confederation and African Supply Chain Confederation awards close on 31 July.

Consumers may stick with troubled brands because their emotional attachment overrides the perceived risk, study finds.

Book draws a line between customer experience – the private-sector marketing discipline – and what its authors call ‘Citizen Experience’.

Six years ago, the historic South African department store chain was in voluntary business rescue. Now it plans to open 50 new stores.