How chat and voice tech are changing retail

New chat channels are emerging as a real-time alternative to e-mail, along with other technologies, but a comprehensive view matters most.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

Black Friday, Cyber Monday 'neck-and-neck' this season

But consumers cite serious reasons for skipping Black Friday, including fears of crazy behavior and long lines in stores, according to a report from shopper analytics firm Field Agent.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers are thinking about in-store experience

Complementary shop-in-shops, age-appropriate experiences and integrated technology are just a few ways retailers are reworking stores to suit shoppers.

By Retail Dive staff

Amazon puts Alexa skills behind subscription paywall

The e-commerce giant is loosening its leash on developers, letting them charge users via a subscription model for additional skill content.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

This $525M shopping center could be the last enclosed mall built

Located about 50 miles north of New York City, the mall represents an endangered concept as shopping preferences shift. 

By Laurie Cowin • Oct. 26, 2017

Nordstrom Rack opens second Manhattan store

The latest addition to the department store retailer's off-price fleet is larger and sports new technology such as visual search, designed to create a better omnichannel experience. 

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 26, 2017

Lord & Taylor could be the anchor to Walmart's web mall

A partnership with the upscale department store could allow the big-box retailer to tap into a wealthier market, but it also stands to dilute the brand.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 24, 2017

Mastercard teams up with Saks to show the future of AR shopping

Two red-hot technologies — AR and eye-scanning for payment — were featured in a demonstration at fintech conference Money 20/20 this week.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

Alipay banks on North American partnerships for growth

A number of new partnerships, including with JP Morgan Chase, aim to boost the number of Chinese natives paying with Alipay while traveling abroad.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 23, 2017

Most online shoppers view fraud as inevitable

But that doesn't mean they're happy about it. Nearly 60% of customers are willing to accept whatever security measures it takes to prevent fraud, according to new research.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 22, 2017

The definitive guide to generational marketing

A good marketer can kick it old school with the boomers and float the perfect hashtag to Gen Z — but what if it's time to get social with the boomers and bring Gen Zers into stores? Here's everything you need to know about marketing by generation.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 20, 2017

Amazon holds 68% of smart speaker market share

Sales of the technology should hit 24 million by the end of 2017, but the online titan still controls the market, according to a Strategy Analytics study.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 20, 2017

Millennials turn to Pinterest, Facebook for Halloween

Roughly 65% of millennials search social media for Halloween inspiration, looking for everything from decor to costumes, according to a study by Alliance Data.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

Walmart, JD.com reportedly integrating customer loyalty in China

In a challenge to Alibaba, the companies will also develop a program for JD.com to fulfill orders by relying on inventory from Walmart.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2017

Retail Therapy: Parents have to pick their poison with these costumes

Retailers have gone too far with three disturbing, offensive and downright inappropriate children’s costumes.  

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

85% of shoppers are going mobile for the holidays

Holiday shoppers are most receptive to specialized deals and offers on mobile, according to a study by YouAppi.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

Conversational Commerce: How Matthew Shay views the state of the retail industry

Retail Dive sat down with the head of the NRF to talk about the evolution of the association and the industry when it comes to public policy, technology and changing consumer habits.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 19, 2017

Walmart’s Store No. 8 showcases the future of VR

The event, a first of its kind for Walmart, drew an exclusive group of high-tech brands, technologists and venture capitalists to debut the latest in VR.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 19, 2017

Online retail sales to soar past $1 trillion by 2027

If you think this year's expected $445 billion in online retail sales sounds impressive, just wait another decade, according to a new report by FTI Consulting. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 18, 2017

Amazon apparel sales gaining on Lululemon, Nordstrom

Department stores stand to lose big as consumers increasingly turn to Amazon for clothing, according to research from investment bank Morgan Stanley.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 18, 2017

Five data-driven strategies to personalize your holiday marketing campaigns

By looking at historical data and anticipating consumers' intent, businesses improve the likelihood of converting visitors into purchasers while personalizing every interaction.

By Shane M. Swisher, Listrak • Oct. 17, 2017

Nearly half of online shoppers report holiday frustrations

This holiday season could be bigger than ever for e-commerce, but a study by Pitney Bowes shows a growing number of unhappy online shoppers.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 17, 2017

The transformation of the NRF — and how Matthew Shay envisions the future

The head of the trade association sat down with Retail Dive to share what he’s learned during his seven years at the helm and what role the organization plays going forward.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 16, 2017

6 retailers that are forgotten — but not gone

Amazon hasn't killed them. They haven't been raptured in the "retail apocalypse." Nor are they trending online or in the media. But these retailers have staying power.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 16, 2017

Can data analytics predict store closures?

New approaches to big data analytics may help retailers make smarter decision about where to invest — and where not to.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 16, 2017

Costco is 58% cheaper than Whole Foods

Even though shoppers get a much different experience at the natural and organic retailer, they are paying more for it, according to an analysis by JPMorgan.

By Erika Kincaid • Oct. 16, 2017