Starbucks has launched an updated, redesigned version of www.StarbucksStore.com online destination to provide its consumers with the enhanced shopping experience and make it easier and quicker to find the best coffee, teas and merchandise offerings. In addition to the traditional coffee&tea range, the digital venue, which was developed with by PFSweb, Inc. (a global e-commerce solution provider), offers a number of extra services like subscription, tasting tours and prepaid gift cards across the U.S. territories.

M&M’s will open its first shop outside the States in London’s Leicester Square tomorrow. The US chocolate brand that is worth around £1.7 billion and belongs to Mars, Inc follows the trend of so called ‘retailtainment’ where global brands use their flagship stores as tourist attractions as well as shops. For instance, Disney recently re-designed its Oxford Street store to include famous Disney characters, a cinema and its own ‘closing ceremony’ at the end of each day.

Nestlé is working closely with retailers in a number of countries on studying the customer behaviour in store as well as after the purchase is made to be able to better serve the customer and improve the overall purchasing experience. For this purpose, the brand has built a number of Virtual Shopping Centers that serve as a base for shopper behaviour research conducted with help of cutting-edge digital technology.