Economy
29 August 2022
The Week Ahead: Jobs report; Best Buy, Chewy, Lululemon earnings
Check out ecommerce happenings for Aug. 29-Sept. 2.

Check out ecommerce happenings for Aug. 29-Sept. 2.
Welcome to a new week. The US Open tennis tournament is set to get underway today in New York, making Queens the center of the athletic and cultural world for the next two weeks. The competition is always riveting, but we’re just as interested in the brand activations. In one of the more intriguing collabs this year, footwear brand Rothy’s is launching a new collection made from recycled Evian water bottles collected at last year’s US Open. Now that's circular.
Here’s a look at the rest of this week’s happenings in ecommerce:
NACDS Total Store Expo: Chain drug store retailers and suppliers meet in Boston for a mix of tactical and strategic meetings. The Current is providing coverage live from the event, including recaps of sessions on supply chain and the economy. (August 29)
Home Delivery World: Retail logistics leaders gather in Philadelphia for a conference and exhibition covering all things last-mile. The conference will feature speakers from American Eagle Outfitters, Ulta Beauty, Walmart and Kroger. (August 31-Sept. 1)
A new month brings a fresh cycle of economic data releases. The focus of the federal government this week is on jobs, with the US Labor Department reporting job openings on August 30, and the monthly report on new jobs, including the unemployment rate, arriving Friday. These will be crucial measures of economic health at a time when a strong job market has been a key signal that the US is not in a recession, despite inflation.
Here’s a look at the publicly-traded retail, CPG and ecommerce companies reporting earnings this week:
Amazon partnered with Hexa to provide access to a platform that creates lifelike digital images.
A 3D rendering of a toaster from Hexa and Amazon. (Courtesy photo)
Amazon sellers will be able to offer a variety of 3D visualizations on product pages through a new set of immersive tools that are debuting on Tuesday.
Through an expanded partnership with Hexa, Amazon is providing access to a workflow that allows sellers to create 3D assets and display the following:
Selllers don't need prior experience with 3D or virtual reality to use the system, according to Hexa. Amazon selling partners can upload their Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) into Hexa’s content management system. Then, the system will automatically convert an image into a 3D model with AR compatibility. Amazon can then animate the images with 360-degree viewing and augmented reality, which renders digital imagery over a physical space.
Hexa’s platform uses AI to create digital twins of physical objects, including consumer goods. Over the last 24 months, Hexa worked alongside the spatial computing team at Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the imaging team at Amazon.com to build the infrastructure that provides 3D assets for the thousands of sellers that work with Amazon.
“Working with Amazon has opened up a whole new distribution channel for our partners,” said Gavin Goodvach, Hexa’s Vice President of Partnerships.
Hexa’s platform is designed to create lifelike renderings that can explored in 3D, or overlaid into photos of the physical world. It allows assets from any category to be created, ranging from furniture to jewelry to apparel.
A Hexa 3D rendering (Courtesy photo)
The result is a system that allows sellers to provide a new level of personalization, said Hexa CEO Yehiel Atias. Consumers will have new opportunity see a product in a space, or what it looks like on their person.
Additionally, merchants can leverage these tools to optimize the entire funnel of a purchase. Advanced imagery allows more people to view and engage with a product during the initial shopping experience. Following the purchase, consumers who have gotten a better look at a product from all angles will be more likely to have confidence that the product matches their needs. In turn, this can reduce return rates.
While Amazon has previously introduced virtual try-on and augmented reality tools, this partnership aims to expand these capabilities beyond the name brands that often have 1P relationships with Amazon. Third-party sellers are an increasingly formidable segment of Amazon’s business, as they account for 60% of sales on the marketplace. Now, these sellers are being equipped with tools that enhance the shopping experience for everyone.
A video displaying the new capabilities is below. Amazon sellers can learn more about the platform here.
Hexa & Amazon - 3D Production Powerhousewww.youtube.com