My favorite retail tech startup of 2018 is woman-led, and that part is important

Sometimes the best tech solutions are the lowest tech, and one company promises to break away from the pack of meal solution providers in a surprising way, writes Christopher Walton.  

By Christopher Walton • May 24, 2018

LVMH leads new investment into luxury platform Lyst

This round will go toward continued international expansion and to expanding Lyst's teams in London and New York.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 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

PetSmart hires new CEO

Academy Sports + Outdoors' J.K. Symancyk has a few issues to grapple with, including the pet supply retailer's debt and losses at its Chewy e-commerce site.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2018

Kroger buys meal kit maker Home Chef for $200M

The deal includes $500 million in additional incentives if the kit company hits performance goals around online and in-store sales.

By Jeff Wells • May 24, 2018

Amazon launches app store to support third-party sellers

Amazon is debuting an app store next week to connect third-party marketplace sellers to developers of vendor-focused software solutions.

By Dan Alaimo • May 24, 2018

Choosy challenges fast fashion to move even faster

A startup looking to act on social trends to create new fashion collections within 48 hours has gained seed funding.

By Dan O'Shea • May 23, 2018

Will J.C. Penney's turnaround ever end?

More than half a century ago, the department store retailer anchored itself to the American mall. But customers have moved on, and so has the CEO. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 23, 2018

Amazon is banning customers over frequent returns

Retailers are struggling to rein in the high cost of returns, but can Amazon retain its reputation as a customer-focused operation by shutting out some shoppers? 

By Daphne Howland • May 23, 2018

72% of consumers prefer videos to text marketing

Consumers like online videos with informational or purchasing links, and Coresight Research said they can provide a "powerful" marketing punch.

By Dan Alaimo • May 23, 2018

Adobe to acquire commerce platform Magento

The deal, priced at $1.68 billion, is aimed at creating a comprehensive e-commerce platform that would integrate B2B and B2C customer experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

J.C. Penney CEO leaving for Lowe's

Marvin Ellison helped slow losses at the department store retailer and now returns to his roots (and greener pastures) as CEO of the home improvement chain.  

By Ben Unglesbee • May 22, 2018

Sears brings in $425M in credit card deal with Citi

The deal brings a much-needed influx of cash and adds another five years to Sears' agreement with Citi, which services cards tied to the retailer's Shop Your Way loyalty program. 

By Ben Unglesbee • May 21, 2018

David's Bridal taps new CEO from within

Before joining the struggling wedding apparel seller, Scott Key had led Gap Inc.'s successful Athleta athleisure brand.

By Daphne Howland • May 21, 2018

Walmart testing 'Jetblack' shopping service in NYC

The startup led by Rent the Runway founder Jennifer Fleiss is a concierge service in New York for busy moms, according to Recode.

By Daphne Howland • May 21, 2018

Product review site Quiddity targets millennials with video

The platform will challenge Consumer Reports and The New York Times' Wirecutter with an approach that aims to bring emotion to product reviews. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 21, 2018

Millennial e-commerce darling Lulus rakes in $120M

The company, which began 20 years ago as a vintage brick-and-mortar boutique, will use the funds to fuel expansion as a pure-play retailer.

By Daphne Howland • May 18, 2018

Pier 1 downgraded as it works on turnaround plan

A month after the company reported sales declines and a three-year, $60 million turnaround plan, analysts say it might not be enough to avoid the pressures of a hotly competitive sector.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 18, 2018

M.Gemi drives sales, social following with Instagram Live

The luxury brand has modernized the release of new products with weekly videos hosted by the influencer Kayleigh Harrington.

By Robert Williams • May 18, 2018

EBay asks shoppers to share their interests

The online marketplace has launched a feature that uses customers' input on their hobbies and preferences to help build more personalized shopping experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • May 17, 2018

J.C. Penney gets burned by a cool spring

Captured market share in appliances and toys weren't enough to help the department store retailer, which is struggling with apparel sales.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 17, 2018

Walmart e-commerce growth rebounds

U.S. online sales at the big-box retailer jumped 33%, up from a 23% increase last quarter. 

By Corinne Ruff • May 17, 2018

Kroger partners with Ocado in a bet on the future of online grocery

The Cincinnati-based retailer's agreement with the world’s largest online grocer will rapidly accelerate its automated fulfillment capabilities and position it to compete with Amazon and Walmart.

By Jeff Wells • May 17, 2018

6 e-commerce checkout pain points that are overlooked

Online shopping still isn’t as easy as it should be. Here’s what e-commerce retailers have yet to solve for.  

May 17, 2018

Report: Amazon wraps up visits to 20 HQ2 finalists

Finalists already feel the impact. If it is attractive to Amazon, then it is attractive to other companies. Newark, New Jersey, Philadelphia and Austin, Texas had an increase in inquiries from other companies looking for a base. 

By Samantha Schwartz • May 17, 2018

Online marketplace revenues to double by 2022

A new study from Coresight Research shows the breadth and opportunities for virtual marketplaces as Walmart and Amazon accelerate growth. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 17, 2018