Omnichannel NOW Newsletter July

• Amazon and Snapchat teaming up for visual search feature
• Alibaba opens AI-powered fashion boutique
• Target automating cash counting at stores
• Walmart launches virtual tours for home furniture shoppers
• Weis Markets equips for omnichannel marketplace
• Kroger to bring driverless cars to grocery delivery
• L’OCCITANE en Provence steps up personalization
• Marks & Spencers team up with Microsoft for AI tech
• Argos using AR to help customers buy TVs
• Gymboree refreshes brand with AR-powered mobile app

 Consumer Goods

• L’Oréal unveils live makeup consultations with AR
• Nike melds mobile, physical retail with new LA concept store
• Daimler, Bosch, Nvidia Team Up To Bring Robo-Taxis To Silicon Valley
• Unilever partners with Blis on blockchain platform
• Ford Motor team up with Baidu on AI-powered smart cars
• Audi signs MOU with Huawei to develop connected car technology
• Hyundai launches digital showroom on Amazon

 Financial Services

• Facebook plans to offer payment feature in its messaging app
• Citizens launches digital-only bank
• UBS creates AI-powered avatar of its chief economist 
• BofA Merrill launches biometric log-ins for corporate mobile users
• JP Morgan Chase launches all banking mobile service, Finn by Chase
• Citi launches digital proxy voting platform
• Santander bank creates digital investment unit 
• BBVA tests facial recognition payments
• Manulife introduces AI underwriting algorithm

 Healthcare / Pharma

• Fitbit shows promise in predicting cancer outcomes
• Google researchers create AI that maps the brain’s neurons
• UI Health Care using AI to assess preventable blindness 
• Walmart to use blockchain for medical records
• Bayshore Medical Center offers robotic-assisted surgery
• Novartis launches NET cancer community app

 Focus of the Month: Cloud

• eBook: Evolution of IAM to CIAM model 
• Infographic: Global Website Factory Program
  
• Salesforce Datorama acquisition to bolster Marketing Cloud
• Walmart signs deal to use Microsoft cloud services
• Unisys launches cloud migration service
• Orange acquires Basefarm Holding to enhance cloud service offerings
• Alibaba & Commvault partner for cloud solutions
• GitLab moves from Azure to Google Cloud Platform