Echo Dot was Amazon's top-selling product during the holidays

The e-commerce giant also revealed that the device is priced to sell rather than to make money.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 4, 2019

Casper unveils smart nightlight to help consumers sleep

The expansion beyond mattresses and bedding into tech shows how the company is positioning itself to become a sleep lifestyle brand.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 4, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

What's shaping the e-commerce landscape?

From pivots in digital strategies to challenges retailers must overcome with reverse logistics, here are some of the forces shaping online retail.

By Retail Dive staff

UPS said returns would peak early — and they did. But why?

Growing e-commerce sales and shifting consumer behavior signal a future with more returns and a greater need for reverse logistics. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Feb. 1, 2019

Returnly raises $8M for post-purchase payment management

The payments company looks to give instant credit on returns so customers can buy again.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2019

CNBC: Amazon planning Middle East expansion

The e-commerce giant bought Souq two years ago for $580 million, but its strategy in the region might be shifting.

By Dan O'Shea • Updated Feb. 1, 2019

Alibaba steadfast amid China turbulence

Executives again touted the strength of China's middle class, saying innovation will help it grab its share of growing consumption for years.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2019

1-800-Flowers cashes in on conversational commerce, AR for Valentine’s Day

Mobile pay, voice ordering and a product recommendation engine highlight how brands are leaning in to mobile tech to lure shoppers around holidays.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 30, 2019

EBay faces year of transition

Efforts to smooth recent experiments in the user and seller experience are complicated by activist pressure to spin off its profitable StubHub and Classifieds businesses.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2019

Billie lathers up $25M more in VC funding

The new funds will go toward expanding the brand's product line and innovating in the personal care category, the company said.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 30, 2019

Starbucks Rewards membership jumps 14% in Q1, highest gain in 3 years

Expanded delivery, mobile pay and better app personalization features were key to driving U.S. membership and sales.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 29, 2019

Contentsquare raises $60M to fuel user analytics

The company is preparing for another round of expansion after its latest influx of cash.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2019

Giant Foods to open its first e-commerce hub next month

The Pennsylvania location will offer a pickup option for pre-ordered groceries and a walk-up vestibule with tablets to place orders.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 29, 2019

Taobao tech improves online shopping for visually-impaired

China's largest online marketplace is embracing accessibility initiatives, the latest of which uses technology to help blind shoppers.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 27, 2019

China retail growth leapfrogs US

A growing middle class and a strong foothold in e-commerce continue to propel retail in China.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2019

The RealReal reportedly mulls IPO

The upscale resale site, which also now sells through physical locations, has garnered attention from investors and luxury shoppers alike.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2019

ShopRunner gains UPS investment, acquires anti-fraud firm Precognitive

The marketplace and free shipping service expands again, adding a big-name investor and acquiring an AI-based security tool provider.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2019

What can US retailers learn from China?

Stores like Alibaba's Hema offer a vision of the future for American grocers, but experts say creating a similarly seamless omnichannel experience isn't easy — and may not be possible.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 23, 2019

Nectar teams up with Mattress Warehouse

The move points to a larger trend of direct-to-consumer companies in the space partnering with legacy retailers with a brick-and-mortar presence.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 23, 2019

Flipkart invests $201M in wholesale unit amid e-commerce market shake-up

Increased competition and regulatory changes in India's e-commerce market are poised to affect Flipkart, Amazon and Reliance, among others.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

Amazon touts value of its stores to small business

The company is no longer an e-commerce pure-player, though it's not clear how much of an impact its physical stores really have just yet.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2019

Rent the Runway tries on exclusives

The startup is sharing data and earnings with designers as it steadily makes its mark in fashion sales.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2019

Nordstrom's latest partnership is with period undies brand Thinx

It's becoming clearer than ever that, to make it in retail, direct-to-consumer businesses need brick and mortar.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2019

Brandless launches subscription option

The service is both a convenience play for consumers and a savvy business move aimed at capturing reorders.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 17, 2019

Walmart and VC firms see two paths for DTC brands

Brands either need to be a consumer phenomenon like Warby Parker, or they need to fit into a larger portfolio, like the one that Walmart is building.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 16, 2019

Digital personal shopping assistant VERA debuts at NRF’s Big Show

Piktorlabs launched shopping assistant technology that can be integrated across retail touchpoints, including in fitting rooms.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2019