American Eagle rolling out new tech that allows for mobile purchasing

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American Eagle Outfitters (NYSE: AEO) is based on the South Side in Pittsburgh.

Tim Schooley

Reporter- Pittsburgh Business Times

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As it works to adapt to a shifting market, South Side-based American Eagle Outfitters is changing how its shoppers buy.

Michael Rempell, the retailer's chief operating officer, updating American Eagle's latest technology upgrades in the company's quarterly conference call, included a new point-of-sale system rolling out and a new app developed in-house.

"We're doing quite a bit under the umbrella of our omni-channel initiative," Rempell told analysts.

The new POS systems is only in 10 stores so far but will be expanded to all the company's retail locations next year, he said.

He said the new POS system will allow for mobile check out in all the company's stores.

American Eagle was able to update the new smart phone app eight times during the quarter after only being able to do so eight times for the entire previous year, a new flexibility he attributed to the control the company had since it developed and owned the technology.

The company also continues to expand its ship-from-store capabilities, which is now in about 530 stores.

Tim Schooley covers retail, real estate, construction, hospitality, arts and entertainment, and government. Contact him at tschooley@bizjournals.com or 412-208-3826.