Target Corp. Buys Shopper Tech Firm Powered Analytics

US discount retailer Target Corp. has acquired Pittsburgh-based Powered Analytics, which uses mobile technology, location data and machine learning to integrate retailers' apps with their in-store shopping experience. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded two years ago by Collin Otis (pictured), Powered Analytics offers an in-store personalization platform called Fabric, which brings an 'Amazon-like' shopping experience into a physical store, using the store's layout and product locations to deliver customized recommendations and messaging to customers.

Target spokesman Eric Hausman comments: 'We're excited about the talent that will be joining our team as we seek to become a leading omni-channel retailer.'

The retailer, which has more than 1,800 stores and more than 35 distribution centers across the US and Canada, is online at: www.target.com .