SXSW Highlights
I packed about 17 experiences into my one day (Saturday, 3/11/17) in Austin, not including all the mind-expanding conversations I had along the way. The global, truly interdisciplinary nature of the crowd this event continues to draw is beyond impressive.
My Adventures in Chat Commerce (Part 2)
Last month, I wrote about my successful shopping experience with Hamlet, where I discovered and bought a table lamp via text. Around the same time, I needed to book a flight so I downloaded the Mezi app.
My Adventures in Chat Commerce
I read about Hamlet a couple of months ago. Having procrastinated on a ceiling light search because I had a specific aesthetic in mind yet technical limitations to conquer, I decided the time was ripe to try my "personal home stylist, from the comfort of my phone". I'm so glad I did.
Hamlet has a conveniently low barrier for consumer entry because it's just a number to text -- not an app, not even Facebook Messenger.
What was Hot (or Not) at Retail’s Digital Summit
Thanks to the National Retail Federation for inviting me to cover last week’s big event in Dallas. While I listened to speakers, walked the Expo Hall of tech vendors, and concurrently followed #shoporg16 on Twitter, I naturally reflected on what I heard more or less about relative to past trends and my expectations.