7 trends that will disrupt and define retail in 2017

As the dust settles from a record-shattering holiday shopping season, the retail industry turns its focus to a new year — along with new opportunities and challenges. Here’s what you can expect.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 10, 2017

Target teams up with K-beauty guru Alicia Yoon

Target will begin offering a variety of Yoon-selected Korean cosmetics, and the K-beauty trend, with its combo of innovation and exotic ingredients, seems like an enduring one.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 10, 2017

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How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

The DNA of the "Digital Native Audience" (DNA)

The Digital Native Audience has been raised in the era of the Internet and smartphones, so they shop and think differently than previous generations.

Jan. 9, 2017

Retail Therapy: The curse of the foulmouthed holiday toy craze

Hatchimals, the adorable furry — and apparently cursing — toys sparked rage from parents who shelled out for the must-have children's product.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 6, 2017

Food for thought: 7 trends set to define grocery retail in 2017

Online grocery, last-mile shipping, social media marketing, product transparency and differentiated shopping experiences will highlight the year ahead.

By Sandy Skrovan • Jan. 5, 2017

The 7 trends that will shape apparel retail in 2017

Technology, integration, innovation and personalization will be all the rage in fashion retail during the year ahead.  

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 4, 2017

Nike signs top-ranked golfer Jason Day to apparel, shoe deal

The announcement comes several months after the sports gear goliath said it would stop making golf equipment, such as clubs and balls.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Athleta debuts latest chapter in 'Power of She' ad narrative

The newest commercial in the athleisure retailer's ongoing advertising campaign features a 98-year-old yoga instructor.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 2, 2017

Report: Retail growth to remain stable, omnichannel key in 2017

As retailers continue to navigate changing consumer habits, omnichannel will be the key to success, according to a Fitch Ratings report.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 26, 2016

Retail Therapy: The 5 most ridiculous moments of 2016

In a year that encompassed everything from Kanye West’s failed fashion shows to Ken Bone’s revival of the classic American dad sweater, there has been no shortage of oddities.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 23, 2016

Report: Retailers killing margins with heavy promotions for holiday homestretch

Despite favorable economic conditions, consumers aren’t spending as much as expected this holiday season, and retailers are slashing prices to change the trend.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2016

Pokemon Go comes to the Apple Watch

The announcement comes just days after game developer Niantic announced Pokemon Go retail partnerships with Starbucks and Sprint.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016

The retail winners and losers of 2016

Some retailers spent the year readying for the industry's future, while others grappled with the ghosts of its past. Here are the companies, technologies and trends that soared or sank in 2016.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 22, 2016

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

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