11 perspectives on the future of brick-and-mortar retail stores

From a new take on in-store tech to the rising role of 3D printers, few see brick-and-mortar stores disappearing anytime soon.

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 27, 2015

Wal-Mart and Texas face off over state liquor laws

The retailer is suing the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, claiming the legal limits on hard liquor sales are unconstitutional.

By Carolyn Heneghan • April 27, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Consumers' spending habits shifting away from retail: report

Retailers should take a good look at these insights from MasterCard that indicate a significant shift in consumer attitudes toward spending.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2015

Clothing retailers and designers starting to blur gender lines

The moves are not so much a repeat of previously popular androgynous styles but more of a crossover that don't fit into “mens” and “women’s” categories.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2015

Retail Therapy: Are Wal-Mart stores really just 'human processing' facilities?

And can your relationship survive a trip to Ikea?

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 24, 2015

E-commerce disruption heating up in health and beauty segment: report

The category hasn’t seen much pressure from e-commerce — until now.

By Daphne Howland • April 24, 2015

Smaller markets trump shopping meccas in apparel sales growth: report

And while e-commerce apparel sales are flourishing, in-store sales continue to see growth thanks to impulse purchases, according to the NPD Group.

By Daphne Howland • April 22, 2015

Banning 'sameness': How retailers can work with cities' chain-store restrictions

As many downtown cities enjoy renewed prosperity, they've made moves that planners see as preserving smaller home-grown businesses.

By Daphne Howland • April 21, 2015

Target teams up with Life Time for new fitness deal

The “C9 Challenge” gives Target’s C9 fitness line a big profile outside of stores, just when athletic gear and alth-leisure apparel are booming.

By Daphne Howland • April 20, 2015

Retail Therapy: American Apparel's spokes-sloth and the holy iPad

Every Friday we bring you the weirdest and wackiest retail stories from around the web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 17, 2015

T.J. Maxx begins selling plus sizes online

The retailer gets tepid reviews for its selection of plus sizes in stores.

By Daphne Howland • April 16, 2015

Men's Wearhouse looking to shake up Jos. A. Bank brand

CEO Douglas Ewert said it’s time for the brand to move beyond its "hyper-aggressive" promotional strategy. 

By Daphne Howland • April 15, 2015

Omnichannel initiatives attract retailers' spending: survey

But fulfillment costs make it difficult to profit, CEOs say.  

By Ian P. Murphy • April 15, 2015

A look at Plenti, America's first retail loyalty coalition

Through Plenti, the coalition of several retailers and American Express that will launch next month, consumers will be able to use one retailer's rewards to shop at another.

By Daphne Howland • April 14, 2015

Young people prefer physical stores: study

A study from New York City-based LIM College finds tech-based shopping among 18-25 year-olds is “significantly overrated.”

By Daphne Howland • April 14, 2015

Facebook still top among teens: Pew

The social network leads all others with 71% of teens ages 13 to 17 years old using it. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 14, 2015

What is the future of brick-and-mortar retail stores?

Using some of the same digital tools predicted to be brick-and-mortar’s demise, retailers have started to reconfigure their physical stores to ensure future success. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 13, 2015

Retail Therapy: Apple Watch fan fiction and Ikea's veggie balls

Starting today, we will be publishing a once-a-week column on Fridays that will bring you the weirdest and wackiest retail stories from around the web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • April 10, 2015

Mobile payments have a long way to go: PwC

Companies need to look beyond the transaction, a PwC report says. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 10, 2015

Shoppers spent more time, money in stores in March: report

It seems that the overly subdued retail environment was a temporary thing, chilled at least in part by the long cold winter.

By Daphne Howland • April 8, 2015

Facebook still the social login leader

The new Janrain survey shows that the site is widening its lead over Google+.

By Ian P. Murphy • April 7, 2015

Store-within-a-store: Brick-and-mortar's 'godfather strategy'

Department stores, big box retailers, and now even fresh-from-bankruptcy RadioShack are turning to other brands to help reach new customers.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

Muji brings its price-cutting ethos to US stores

The retailer’s “always good prices” policy leads it to permanently slash prices from time to time. Now it's bringing that to its U.S. stores.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

Economy hits a soft patch: Commerce Department

The March jobs report was a little off mainly due to severe winter weather. While things will likely pick up as the weather warms up, stagnant wages remain a problem.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2015

For these retailers, April Fools' is every day

Many retailers are using prank ads to deliver eyeballs and to seek viral hits. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 1, 2015