Samsung confirms Echo-like smart speaker

The increasingly-crowded smart speaker market continues to heat up as Samsung promises its own smart speaker.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 24, 2017

Holiday sales to rise on e-commerce and fall on discounts

The healthy economy is spurring many shoppers to spend more, but their price-checking habits and free shipping expectations will hit margins.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 24, 2017

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

Should CPGs answer Amazon's call and go direct to the consumer?

CPGs are at a crossroads, but as brands such as Nike and Adidas launch on Amazon, the decision shouldn't be made lightly, writes Georg Richter of OceanX. 

By Georg Richter • Aug. 23, 2017

Study: Online sales, mobile payments spur back-to-school shopping growth

New research suggests retailers need to understand that "omnichannel is the new normal" for the back-to-school shopping season. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 23, 2017

Walmart and Google partner to challenge Amazon's Alexa

The big-box retailer will not only sell through Google Voice, but also offer shoppers in-store pickup to drive traffic across channels.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 23, 2017

QVC partners with YouCam Makeup for virtual try-on offer

The TV shopping network is breaking new ground with the launch of an augmented reality app that's used in real-time alongside a broadcast TV event.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 22, 2017

Report: Meijer restructures IT amid major grocery shifts

The move could affect up to 10% of IT jobs as competition heats up in the grocery market.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 22, 2017

CPG retailers are at a crossroads as a new threat rises

Once upon a time, consumer products like soap, sugar and soft goods were found in bins and shelves in general stores, measured out in small quantities by amenable shopkeepers. Those days are gone.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 21, 2017

Study: Retail automation market worth $18.9B by 2023

From checkout-free technology to robots that track inventory, the retail automation market is poised for double-digit growth in the coming years.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 21, 2017

Walmart gives back room inventory top-shelf treatment

The retailer is aiming to connect the dots between smart inventory tracking and better customer service.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 21, 2017

Amazon’s Echo Show adds video news

Seattle TV station KIRO may show local businesses a way to develop skills for the four-month-old Echo iteration.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 21, 2017

Walmart expands Uber grocery delivery

With this latest move, the retail giant seeks to emphasize time and money-saving practices as other grocers challenge it for market share.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 21, 2017

JD.com plans luxury marketplace

In a challenge to Alibaba, the e-commerce company plans to open a luxury retail platform on its marketplace.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 21, 2017

Data is the Key to Retail Evolution

More than ever, retailers need parity between in the insights they can get online versus in-the-store to holistically identify gaps in the customer experience, evaluate changes and assess convergence opportunities. The bottom line: in-store CX data is the necessary fuel for retailers to thrive in this new world.

By Matt Tilley • Aug. 18, 2017

Customer acquisition is the top challenge for retailers

A new study shows that acquiring new customers is the most imminent concern of retailers for 2017-2018.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 18, 2017

Survey: Consumers act on each other’s visual content

A new study suggest that photos and videos combined with product reviews from other consumers can help shoppers pull the trigger on buying decisions.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 17, 2017

HBC has opened corporate office in India

Retailers continue to look East for professional talent, as Saks follows the same path that J.C. Penney and others have taken.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 17, 2017

Amazon expands payments for best Alexa developers

The e-commerce giant will provide rewards for top-performing and "engaging" voice apps across a number of categories. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 17, 2017

All digital solutions aren't created equal

Digital strategies must be tailored to each brand's needs, as customer connections are being prioritized over sales.

By Laura Heller • Aug. 17, 2017

Jo-Ann rebrands as it integrates new tech features

The fabric and craft retailer is focusing on the makers who buy its products as it integrates mobile, analytics and video content. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 16, 2017

Amazon launches Instant Pickup service near college campuses

In a challenge to local retailers, the e-commerce giant is promising order availability within two minutes.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 16, 2017

Will Amazon's new return policy help or hurt Marketplace sellers?

Amazon is implementing a new return policy for its Marketplace sellers, but there's plenty of debate over whether it will provide a better shopping experience — especially for the sellers.

By Laura Heller • Aug. 15, 2017

From store to door: the power of location analytics

A spatial understanding of supply and demand affords retailers a unique view into the actual costs of providing delivery services on a customer-by-customer basis.

By Gary Sankary • Aug. 15, 2017

Vitamin Shoppe rolls out subscription services

"Spark Auto Delivery" — a challenge to Amazon Elements — includes free shipping, samples and returns, as well as consultations with certified nutritionists.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2017

Amazon ranks first for back-to-school shoppers

Brand Keys' survey of households with school-age children ranked Amazon first for both early and late back-to-school shopping.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 14, 2017