Sephora Introduces Paze Digital Payment for Loyalty Program Members
Late this year, Sephora plans to offer a new online payment option for 40-plus million members of its free loyalty program, Sephora Beauty Insider. The beauty brand is partnering with Paze to simplify the online checkout process by allowing U.S. and Canadian members to pay without entering card details, downloading third-party apps, or creating a password. Instead, Paze securely consolidates eligible debit and credit cards into a single digital wallet.
“At Sephora, we continue to put our customers at the center of our business and seek out innovative ways for them to shop and enjoy their favorite beauty products,” said Stefan Jensen, VP, Treasurer, Sephora. “Our focus has always been on providing a seamless shopping experience, and we’re excited to offer Paze to our most loyal shoppers. Through our integration of Paze, Beauty Insider members will have even more flexibility, along with a convenient way to check out online.”
The transactions are tokenized with Paze, meaning that Sephora never receives actual card numbers, enhancing user security. However, only credit cards from participating banks and credit unions can be used.
Learn more about Paze for business here.
Dove and Venus Williams Empower Girls in Sports with Limited-Edition Beauty Bar
Dove is collaborating with tennis icon Venus Williams to release the Dove x Venus #KeepHerConfident Beauty Bar, a limited-edition product promoting body confidence in young girls. The soap, inspired by a passion for tennis, comes in a vibrant green color resembling a tennis ball, with a passionfruit and lemon balm scent. The word “Confident” is engraved onto the bar. Dove’s Body Confident Sport initiative, launched last fall with Nike, hopes to reach 1M young people globally.
The partnership aligns with Dove’s mission to empower women and girls, particularly in sports. Research by Dove in 2023 revealed that 45% of girls worldwide dropped out of sports by age 14, with body confidence cited as the leading cause. Dove is partnering with organizations like Black Girls Tennis Club and Bras for Girls to combat this as part of a wider campaign designed to build confidence and keep girls engaged in sports. Williams will also host an in-person tennis experience for middle school girls in New York City as part of the initiative.
While unavailable in stores, consumers can try to win the Beauty Bar through a giveaway promoted on a microsite through September 20, 2024. Dove has also teamed up with Lyft to distribute limited-edition canisters of the Beauty Bar across New York City. These sustainable canisters, made from recycled materials, hold three beauty bars each and can be found in specially wrapped cars.
Customers can sign up for special Dove coupon offers and exclusive content here.
Target’s Generative AI Tool Enhances Customer Service and Worker Efficiency
Target successfully rolled out a new generative AI tool called “Store Companion” chain-wide to enhance the customer experience, empower employees, and facilitate the long-term growth of the retail chain. The AI tool, integrated into handheld devices used by employees, has already been used more than 50,000 times since testing the solution earlier this year. The technology provides quick, straightforward responses in under a minute to common inquiries, such as questions about signing up for Target’s loyalty program or troubleshooting a cash register issue.
According to the research firm IDC, AI spending is projected to reach $632B by 2028. IDC Group Vice President and General Manager of AI and Data Research, Ritu Jyoti, stated in a press release, “IDCAI-powered transformations have delivered tangible business outcomes and value for organizations worldwide, and they are building their AI strategies around employee experience, customer engagement, business process, and industry innovations. With rampant innovations in trusted AI tools and technologies and improved harmonization of human and machines interplay, barriers to AI adoption at scale will continue to diminish.”
During a recent earnings call, Target CFO Michael Fiddelke said that Target’s executives anticipate the new AI tool will be “particularly helpful as we bring on new permanent and seasonal team members in advance of this year’s holiday season, helping them to become more productive, more quickly than in the past.”
Learn more about the Store Companion Roll Out here.
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Original Article Links:
Sephora offers loyalty members new digital payment option
Dove, Venus Williams support teen girls in sports with tennis-inspired soap
Target CFO says GenAI tool is boosting worker efficiency