Store Managers

are fighting back against online competitors.

With Watson Customer Engagement and MobileFirst for iOS, shoppers get a unique blend of virtual and physical service. Macy’s On-Call, developed with IBM partner Satisfi Labs, is an in-store, Watson-powered shopping assistant that enables smartphone users to find real-time information about product availability, store layouts and items on sale. Boots will be launching Sales Assist, another MobileFirst for iOS app, across its 2,500 U.K. stores in an effort to make it easier and simpler for customers to find the products they need.