Meijer plots 6 small urban stores by 2021

The operations aren't likely to move the needle for the big-box chain yet, but analysts say it's a smart move considering the untapped urban market.

By Daphne Howland • March 9, 2018

21% of US shoppers are using voice or chatbots for commerce

A recent study from Mastercard and Mercator shows a 60% acceptance of voice assistants and text-based chatbots for basic informational tasks.

By Dan Alaimo • March 8, 2018

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

Dollar Tree's 13% sales growth not enough for Wall Street

The deep discounter increased earnings, same-store sales and its top line — to the tune of $6.36 billion — but fell short of analyst hopes on all counts.

By Ben Unglesbee • March 7, 2018

Eloquii partners with Reese Witherspoon's Draper James

The 30-piece spring/summer collection in sizes 12-28 includes apparel and accessories and is available now on both websites and stores, and through Rent the Runway.

By Daphne Howland • March 7, 2018

Amazon ad growth could form 'triopoly' with Facebook, Google

The e-tailer is growing its share of ad spend as more marketers gravitate to the platform. 

By Cara Salpini • March 6, 2018

Customer experience and loyalty will drive retail financing in 2018

 While many retailers are heads down in delivering superior customer experience to improve the overall shopping journey, they have been missing the mark on a key part of this journey: how consumer’s pay.

March 6, 2018

Nordstrom to sell Anthropologie home goods

The partnership could help Nordstrom win back some market share that department stores have lost to specialty and mass merchants. 

By Daphne Howland • March 6, 2018

Retailers take sides on gun policy. Is the risk worth the reward?

Consumers on both sides of the gun debate are pressuring retailers to take a stand. But making the right choice means preparing for the consequences.

By Lara Ewen • March 6, 2018

The Children’s Place and Gymboree: A tale of two specialty retailers

One invested in inventory technology, assortment and e-commerce. The other went bankrupt. What can the two children's apparel retailers teach retailers?

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2018

Dollar Tree, Dollar General running neck and neck in the dollar segment

E-commerce still isn't much of a factor, and ongoing price sensitivity will keep lower income shoppers flocking to dollar stores, according to Moody's. 

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

Walmart rapidly expanding meal kits, adds cookware line

The retail giant also announced a partnership with Buzzfeed's Tasty network, and both efforts are part of its bid to reach higher spending customers.

By Daphne Howland • March 5, 2018

Retail defaults in 2018 could outpace last year

High debt, underinvestment, competition, changes in consumer spending and other factors that made 2017 abysmal for some retailers haven't gone away, according to S&P. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 2, 2018

Retail Therapy: Neiman Marcus banks 'a milli' on Lil Wayne collection

The famous rapper launched a "Young Money" line with the luxury department store that’s way hotter — and cheaper — than its usual fare.

By Cara Salpini • March 2, 2018

Best Buy to close nearly 260 stand-alone mobile stores

As the electronics retailer winds down its mobile store fleet, it posted a massive sales rise at mainline stores.

By Daphne Howland • March 1, 2018

Kohl's brings Aldi to some stores as it makes 'sharp leap' in sales

The discount department store has added brands and tightened costs, making for a solid holiday performance. The only question is: Can Kohl's keep it up?

By Ben Unglesbee • March 1, 2018

For Nike, the future of sneaker innovation is female

The company says it's thinking about women's sneakers differently, and that will influence innovation and design for everyone.

By Daphne Howland • March 1, 2018

Walmart's apparel push is just beginning

The company is focused on improving customer experience in apparel online and in stores, two company executives said at the eTail West conference Tuesday. 

By Laura Heller • Feb. 28, 2018

Many Amazon customers would welcome banking services

More than half of 1,000 U.S. Amazon customers recently surveyed said they would be willing to use an Amazon-created virtual currency for purchases, according to LendEDU.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 28, 2018

Art Van Furniture CEO to step down

Legacy furniture and mattress firms like Art Van, one of the largest Midwestern retailers, are seeing market share decline as e-commerce upstarts rise.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 26, 2018

Retail Therapy: Nike takes a well-placed kick at the sneaker market

The athletics brand released a whole line of bland, white shoes and told customers to do the rest … and they loved it.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 23, 2018

AI poised to take over more customer service

A recent report estimates that by 2020, virtual assistants and chatbots could be performing 25% of customer service and support work. 

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2018

Amazon's Alexa being integrated into smart homes

The voice assistant is set to play a major role in new residences built by Lennar, expanding Amazon's dominance in the market.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2018

Apparel sales fall on slower athleisure growth

The category is benefiting from millennials, the strength of the athleisure category and the growth of e-commerce, but those factors weakened last year, according to a report from The NPD Group.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 22, 2018

Amazon swoops in on Macy's apparel sales

But it isn't alone; Walmart, Target and Kohl's are also grabbing share as the department store behemoth sheds stores, according to new research.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 21, 2018

Ralph Lauren tops Amazon, Target in Olympic mentions

Of the top retailers mentioned on social media so far, Ralph Lauren came in highest with a 38% share, while Walmart logged just 4%, according to Digimind.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 21, 2018