Fitness classes aren’t relegated to large gyms or small boutique fitness studios. They’re making their debut in consumers’ homes — on smart devices — too. But some in-home workouts have an obvious disadvantage: There’s no one around to motivate consumers to exercise. Through companies like MIRROR, consumers can get the interaction and support of a fitness class while working out at home, Brynn Putnam, founder and CEO of MIRROR, told PYMNTS in an interview. Here’s how the service works and where the boutique fitness industry is headed in the future. Read More...

Artificial intelligence (AI) is just getting started in the retail space. The market is projected to increase 38-fold by 2025 as today’s trends drive widespread adoption of AI technologies. By 2025, the most innovative AI creations of 2018 will likely be taken for granted — table stakes in a retail landscape where those who didn't adopt them have already been weeded out. Here are some of the key trends driving this transformation and the forecast for AI and omnichannel in the decade to come.  Read More...

When Amazon Prime launched two-day shipping in 2005, Jeff Bezos sought to make fast delivery an everyday experience. Since then, the service has become a household name: More than 40 percent of American consumers had a Prime membership last year. But growth of Amazon’s popular service is starting to slow, and it’s seeking new subscribers. Here’s how the company is adapting its Amazon Prime pricing model to reach more consumers and how eCommerce retailers can attract new customer segments to a subscription program.  Read More...