Analyst Insight: Omnichannel customer expectations continue to drive complexity in inventory planning and management. Expectations for faster fulfillment and free shipping, coupled with pressure to minimize inventory carrying cost, are driving companies to rethink inventory strategies to profitably service customers and ensure inventory is deployed in the right quantities to the right place at exactly the right time. But omnichannel flows like ship-from-store and buy-online-pick-up in-store (BOPIS) are complicating things and creating a new threshold for inventory planning requirements. - George Swartz, vice president, Fortna Inc.

After more than two decades of bad blood and legal wrangling between states and the online giant, Amazon will collect sales tax in all states that have such a levy. Collection in Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, and New Mexico, the final four states where shoppers don't pay required tax through the site, will begin on April 1st.

Jameson Irish Whiskey celebrated St. Patrick's Day with a near field communication (NFC)-enabled system to provide consumer engagement with each of its limited-edition bottles. The whiskey brand, owned by global beverage firm Pernod Ricard, has launched its Limited Edition Bottle 2017, with technology to enable consumers to connect with content about the company and its product, and to be included in a drawing for several prizes specific to Ireland.

Walmart launched its own startup incubator program in Silicon Valley, with a keen eye on last-mile delivery, according to Mobility Buzz.