COVID-19 has disrupted the way retailers connect with customers, run supply chains and manage workforces. Resiliency and adaptability are more important than ever.
We’re always keeping an eye out for smart, new companies at the intersection of retail and technology, helping companies keep pace with consumer demand and operate safely. At “Tech-enabled Resiliency,” a virtual event co-hosted by NRF and New York Fashion Tech Lab and made possible by American Express, an elite group of startups led by women presented their technologies — which are helping strengthen some of the biggest names in retail.
Learn more about retail tech startups led by women here.
The lineup included remote shopping VR startup Obsess, delivery platform Shipsi, offline revenue engine Hafta Have, online broadcasting platform Buywith and end-to-end conversational commerce platform Jumper.ai.
After a series of introductions and product demos, the audience selected Obsess to appear in the Innovation Lab during NRF 2021: Retail’s Big Show – Chapter 2, an exclusive showcase of the latest retail technologies set inside the world’s largest retail expo in New York City in June.
Obsess uses augmented and virtual reality to bring the best parts of in-store shopping to the online shopping experience, allowing customers to browse items in a virtual, 3D environment that feels like a physical store. Founder and CEO Neha Singh is passionate about turning online shopping into an experience, leveraging her graduate degree in computer science from MIT and her experience leading engineering and product teams at Google.
More than 700 retailers, industry technology partners and investors registered for the event, which featured a fireside chat with Savage X Fenty Chief Design and Merchandising Officer Christiane Pendarvis. She spoke about Savage X Fenty’s ability to create a community of empowered women through authentic storytelling, particularly on Instagram, and said authenticity and connection have never been more important to customers.
Pendarvis also explained how bright colors, bold prints and unique products enable Savage X Fenty to be a source of surprise and delight for customers at a time when people are looking for joy and happiness. She wrapped up her remarks by encouraging retailers to think customer-first, not channel-first, and reminded startups to never lose sight of their vision.
We look forward to bringing the retail and technology communities more opportunities to engage and make connections, both online and in person down the road.