The new look of fashion: How 2016 made over apparel retail

Amazon disrupted and dominated apparel throughout the year, but it wasn't the only trendsetter: Mobile made waves, omnichannel became omnipresent — and much more.

By Lara Ewen • Dec. 21, 2016

How Macy's dismantled everything once right about department stores

The retailer stopped doing the one thing it was good at doing better than anyone else — something that might have saved it from obsolescence during tough times, from recessions to Amazon’s looming dominance in e-commerce.

By Lee Peterson • Dec. 20, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

Gen Z and the next-generation consumer

If there's anything retailers want more than financial stability right now, it's to understand Gen Z. 

By Retail Dive staff

Pew: 80% of Americans shop online, but most still prefer stores

Whenever Americans can comparison-shop on price, they will, including using their phones while in stores, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 20, 2016

Report: Times Square landlords want more lucrative 'experiential' retail

The fabled Manhattan destination has long hosted retailers with experience-based allure, but developers want more amid falling rents and brick-and-mortar sales.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 19, 2016

Retail Therapy: Ugly sweaters — and the beautiful people who sell them

Everyone from Whoopi Goldberg to 2 Chainz is catching on to the ugly sweater phenomenon, while some expectant orangutans set up a Target gift registry for their new bundle of joy.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 15, 2016

5 tech trends that transformed retail in 2016

Artificial intelligence and related breakthroughs steered retailers toward more effective customer engagement, while virtual reality and augmented reality redefined how shoppers experience the world.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 15, 2016

Under Armour expands connected footwear lineup

Automatic run tracking technology from the athletic apparel retailer's MapMyRun mobile app and global digital running community provides runners with workout and fatigue data.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 14, 2016

Neiman Marcus loss widens as core customers turn away

The upscale department store chain is badly hobbled by debt that is "completely unsustainable for a company of its scale,” according to Neil Saunders, CEO of retail research agency and consulting firm Conlumino.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2016

How Costco appeals to millennials and Gen Z without specifically targeting them

Execs attribute its appeal among young consumers to a focus on organics and partnerships with coupon websites like LivingSocial.

By Carolyn Heneghan • Dec. 12, 2016

Pokemon Go expands into Starbucks, Sprint stores

But software developer Niantic, maker of the mobile hit, may be a bit late to its own party, as the once red-hot game has mostly fizzled.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 9, 2016

Neiman Marcus enhances beauty counter services with Memory Mirrors

Memory Mirror video capture technology offers a 360-degree video of shoppers modeling a particular outfit or cosmetics, allowing them to see themselves from all angles, as well as save and share the video.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 8, 2016

Retail Therapy: Nordstrom's $85 rocks are a stone-cold hit

The department store chain just ran out of the hottest holiday gift, while Ikea is renaming products to inspire solutions to everyday problems.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 8, 2016

Nike stumbles as rivals capture attention of younger consumers

The athletic footwear and apparel retailer remains the most popular athletic brand among U.S. consumers, but its lead is slipping, according to a new survey conducted by Cowen & Co.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2016

Amazon launches Buttoned Down men's fashion line

The first offering is a series of no-iron shirts that will compete with a host of brands already for sale on Amazon’s site.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2016

How luxury brands can revitalize stagnating sales

Experts say upscale brands need to rethink their in-store and digital presence to engage with younger, connected customers looking for a personal lifestyle experience.

By Antonella Ciancio • Dec. 5, 2016

Why retailers are embracing rooftop gardens

Fueled by consumers’ increased interest in local foods, more merchants are bringing growing in-house.

By Keith Loria • Dec. 5, 2016

Mall of America gets new interactive info kiosks from Express Image

The kiosks feature a search function, step-by-step directions, dynamic pop-ups and text-to-phone features.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 4, 2016

Retail Therapy: Orange you impressed by Cheetos' luxury apparel?

The snack brand sold out of cheese-scented cologne and flaming hot tights. Meanwhile, one retailer thinks your smartphone needs to relax and recharge.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 1, 2016

Hacked, embellished, high-waisted and premium: 6 fashion experts on the denim that will dominate 2017

Brands like Gap, LVMH, Levi Strauss, Citizens of Humanity and VF are spearheading a premium denim renaissance that now accounts for more than a quarter of the jeanswear market. Here's what’s new in denim — and what’s next.

By Lara Ewen • Nov. 30, 2016

Department store guru says discounts are like 'a cancer'

Allen Questrom, who has led department stores like J.C. Penney and Macy’s, says retailers are relying too heavily on promotions and not enough on merchandising, presentation and customer service.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 30, 2016

4 takeaways from Cyber Monday 2016

Another Cyber Monday, another website outage fiasco. This year, Gap Inc. brands Old Navy and Banana Republic suffered disruptions for much of the afternoon.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 30, 2016

EBay pop-up uses biometrics to ease gift-buying stress

A study from eBay and analytics firm Lightwave suggests the pressure of holiday shopping stress is akin to running a marathon, and that 60% of shoppers hit a "wall of disenchantment" after only about 32 minutes, feeling too fatigued to go on.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 29, 2016

Report: iPhones in highest demand for holiday gifts

Analysts have worried that Apple didn’t innovate its devices much, but Piper Jaffray’s fifth annual Holiday Spending Intentions Survey found that the iPhone remains the most requested gift this year.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 29, 2016

Under Armour app tracks how much people ate — and exercised — on Thanksgiving Day

MyFitnessPal app users across the country burned more calories on Turkey Day than on an average non-holiday Thursday, the athletic gear retailer found.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 28, 2016

UPDATE: Cyber Monday sales surge to record $3.45B

Sales topped forecasts of $3.36 billion, which would have just edged past Black Friday's record-setting $3.34 billion in online purchases, according to Adobe Digital Insights.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 28, 2016