Why paper catalogs still matter

The paper catalog was the internet before the internet. While the sheer volume of mailers has declined over the past 10 years, savvy retailers are still using catalogs to push their brands — and make sales.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 6, 2017

Mall developer rebrands amid rising vacancy rates

CBL Properties' new brand and marketing scheme reflects a push to include food, entertainment, fitness and other new uses as retailers falter.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 6, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers are deploying in-store technology

Payment systems, self-checkout stations and home visualization tech are just a few of the areas getting attention from retailers as they rethink the store experience.

By Retail Dive staff

Retail Therapy: The (robotic) cat is out of the bag

Yukai Engineering’s new product has no face, arms, or legs — but it does have all the positive energy you’d never get from a real cat.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 6, 2017

Loop Commerce lands e-gifting patent

The system, currently used by Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, could help retailers reduce the likelihood of gifts being returned.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 4, 2017

At Gap, the new plan is Old Navy

The apparel maker conquered the world with its flagship Gap label, but the company is now pinning a revival on the lower-priced brand. Can Old Navy save Gap?

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2017

Nordstrom debuts 'Local' and a new LA flagship

The retailer opened a new flagship that includes its latest fashion shops and customer services in addition to the highly-anticipated merchandise-free boutique Nordstrom Local in West Hollywood.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2017

Are hotels the new frontier in experiential retail?

West Elm, Shinola, Muji and others are eager to get into the hospitality business. Will they falter in an unfamiliar endeavor — or can these brand extensions create a retail experience that replaces the traditional flagship store?

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 3, 2017

Nordstrom closing the gap in women's apparel

Rather than relegating sizes to a petite or plus section, denim apparel will be featured together, with a sizing range beyond what most retailers offer.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2017

Toys R Us launches ‘digital playground’ with AR app

The retailer, fresh from a Chapter 11 filing, is using augmented reality to bring the in-store experience to (virtual) life.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 3, 2017

70% of brands use Instagram influencers

Although the ROI of influencers has been hotly debated, L2 found they drive much higher engagement rates than do brand accounts.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 3, 2017

Target expands new ‘Drive Up’ pickup program

The pilot is the retailer's second attempt at curbside pickup and is now available to shoppers at Twin Cities locations Target's Minneapolis headquarters.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2017

Nearly 70% of shoppers aware of BOPIS, mobile payments

When it comes to in-store technologies, these capabilities have the broadest awareness among shoppers, according to research from the NRF.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 2, 2017

Online hijacking threatens retailers’ holiday plans

The growing problem, which involves unauthorized ads appearing on retailer websites to steal clicks and revenue, is set to peak this holiday season, according to a new report. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 2, 2017

More retailers opt to close this Thanksgiving

A minority of Americans favor Thanksgiving openings and 60% disapprove of it, according to an early holiday report.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2017

Study: Shoppers wary of connected devices

Worldpay found that consumers are worried and skeptical about chatbots and voice assistants, especially where their payment information is concerned.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 2, 2017

Decking the halls and creating the holiday mood

Brands often overlook the atmospheric elements of the in-store experience, but everything from music to fragrance to visuals can have a serious impact on how holiday shoppers feel while in stores — and how much they spend. 

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 29, 2017

Jet.com will launch its own grocery line

The new brand, Uniquely J, will initially focus on consumables with pet, beauty and baby products coming soon as Walmart's e-commerce group steps up to compete with Amazon’s growing private label selection.

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 29, 2017

21% of shoppers make half of all purchases online

U.S. consumers favor stores these days as much or more than they did a year ago, according to a report from the National Retail Federation.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 29, 2017

Dynamic Action takes startup honors at Shop.org

Prescriptive analytics, which helps companies take an advised course of action on their wealth of data, may be set for its big retail moment.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 29, 2017

Retail Therapy: Ikea takes a bite out of Apple

The Swedish retailer published a series of ads this week poking fun at the tech giant’s wireless charging innovations — a feature Ikea has touted for years.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 28, 2017

7 takeaways on retail's future from Shop.org

The annual event offers a sneak peek at technology trends and changing customer behavior. Among the many insights from the show is one universal truth: the shopper is everywhere and retailers should be too.

By Laura Heller • Sept. 28, 2017

Why the Walmart-Bonobos deal shows the way to retail's showroom future

The big-box retailer’s e-commerce acquisitions are about more than assets, they’re about taking on new mindsets, writes Lee Peterson of WD Partners.

By Lee Peterson • Sept. 28, 2017

Walmart boosts private baby line with 120 new items

The retailer also made a commitment to reducing chemicals — an emerging consumer priority — especially in products for babies and children.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2017

REI, L.L. Bean rank among most 'human' businesses

Companies that act more human perform better than those who don’t, acquiring more new customers, increasing customer loyalty and even raising profits, according to a new study.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 28, 2017

Burberry uses Apple’s AR tech to engage app users

While other retailers are using augmented reality to sell their products, Burberry is using the tech to create a unique experience on its mobile app.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 27, 2017