Instagram expands shopping features to boost brands' direct sales

Two new features in Stories and Explore could help to close the sales loop for the more than 90 million users that tap shoppable posts for more product information.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 18, 2018

Amazon investigating employees for data bribery

The e-tailer has a record of protecting transparency in its reviews, and a high level of consumer trust, but employees in China are reportedly selling data to third-party sellers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 18, 2018

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

Amazon launches 'Storefronts' for small and medium sellers

The e-commerce giant also unveiled its first TV ad to feature one of its smaller sellers, which account for half of its retail sales.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 17, 2018

Mobile to drive 68% of holiday e-commerce traffic

The holiday season looks promising, with Salesforce predicting 13% sales growth — but they need to prepare for an early start, especially on mobile.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 17, 2018

RepairClinic rebrands to highlight anti-counterfeit promise

The parts supplier is trumpeting its manufacturer guarantee aimed at fighting counterfeits and shaking up the e-commerce market for appliance parts.

By Dan O'Shea • Updated Sept. 18, 2018

E-commerce shoppers expect free shipping, branded giveaways

Nearly all shoppers now say free shipping and returns make them more likely to become a repeat customer, according to a survey from Dotcom Distribution.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 14, 2018

Trademarks reveal more Amazon apparel labels on the horizon

The e-tailer previously staked its private labels in consumer products, but now most of its brands are in apparel.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2018

Overstock inks warehouse lease to fulfill 2-day shipping orders

The company, which unveiled private label furniture lines in recent months, is looking to unload its e-commerce business.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 14, 2018

Jet announces major rebrand to target city dwellers

The Walmart-owned marketplace is launching a new website, assortment and delivery options in an effort to attract city consumers — a shopping segment that has eluded its parent for decades.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 13, 2018

New York & Co. rebrands amid growth ambitions

The company's new moniker, "RTW Retailwinds," ironically reflects its struggle against the headwinds faced by many apparel retailers.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 13, 2018

Study: Mobile commerce to overtake e-commerce by 2019

Click-and-collect and mobile order-ahead are encouraging consumers to shift their purchasing online, 451 Research said.

By Robert Williams • Sept. 12, 2018

Amazon to take 50% of US e-commerce share by 2023

Online retail sales will pass $1 trillion two years sooner than previous predictions, according to a report from FTI Consulting.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 12, 2018

Wayfair names new head of brand planning

Ezra Englebardt, who joined in June, is tasked with forging a creative strategy that can cut through a hotly competitive online market.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2018

Amazon poised to reign over apparel by year's end, analyst says

The company is edging closer to knocking off the top apparel sellers in the U.S., but mostly in lower-priced segments, according to a Wells Fargo note.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2018

J. Crew launches third-party marketplace

So far, the platform is mostly a notice to customers that some items will be drop-shipped directly from brands.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2018

Payability releases card for marketplace sellers

The new-branded Visa card aims to give third-party sellers quicker and easier access to their payouts so they can invest in growth.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 11, 2018

Pinterest active monthly users surge 25%

As the visual search platform continues to partner with major retailers, it hits 250 million users.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 11, 2018

How a record store is beating the odds

New England chain Bull Moose is growing — despite offering goods widely available through digital streaming — by focusing on experience.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2018

Amazon dominates international marketplace reach

The online giant, and rival Alibaba, are far and away the biggest e-commerce marketplaces globally, but others have staked out strongholds across the globe, said WBE.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 10, 2018

Jack Ma to retire as Alibaba chairman

"Alibaba was never about Jack Ma, but Jack Ma will forever belong to Alibaba," the company's founder told employees in a letter announcing his departure.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 10, 2018

Amazon steals Project Runway stars for shoppable show

Details about the new Prime video fashion program are scarce, but like Amazon's short-lived "Style Code" it will be shoppable.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 10, 2018

Amazon now dominates Google in product search

In three years, the e-tailer passed the dominant search engine, with 90% of Amazon product views now coming from its own searches, according to a Jumpstart study.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 7, 2018

More consumers than ever want retailers to personalize service

The time is now for retailers to embrace personalized, immersive shopping, finds a new study from Accenture and the Retail Industry Leaders Association.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 7, 2018

Amazon creates Hindi mobile app as it eyes growth in India

The e-tailer becomes the only one among India's leading e-commerce players to create a site and app in Hindi, India's most widely spoken language.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 6, 2018

WSJ: Williams-Sonoma set to launch 3D imaging app

The retailer's new app debuts later this month to help customers visualize how furniture will look in their homes.

By Dan Alaimo • Sept. 6, 2018