Whole Foods is a 'pricing lab' for Amazon

The greatest value of Amazon's deal may not be the chance for grocery dominance, but the data the e-commerce giant will be able to leverage across its retail empire, according to consultant Hermann Simon.  

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 13, 2017

Amazon, eBay, Google lead surge in AI patents

Artificial intelligence-related patent filings have surged in recent years as the technology's retail uses have come to light.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 13, 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

Amazon debuts new fashion line in Europe only

"Find" is the first major contemporary fashion effort from Amazon, and is accompanied by Amazon Fashion’s first womenswear advertising campaign.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 13, 2017

Out of Milk debuts Google Assistant-powered shopping list

As the skill becomes available on Amazon's Alexa and Google Home, retailers need to rethink how they make it onto consumers' shopping lists. 

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 12, 2017

New CPG e-tailer Public Goods to sell products at cost

The membership, private label approach promises to undercut Amazon and Walmart by as much as 50%, according to founder Morgan Hirsh.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2017

Amazon offers sellers lucrative holidays — if they prepare

Fulfillment by Amazon shipments rose 50% during the holidays last year, but Marketplace vendors looking for a lift need to plan ahead.  

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2017

Amazon's Whole Foods price cuts boosted store traffic 25%

But can the e-commerce giant and grocery novice maintain its momentum?

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2017

Nordstrom opening merchandise-free concept

The small-format is another experiment for the department store retailer — this time following the likes of Bonobos and Warby Parker.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2017

Fraud attempts spiked after Equifax data breach

The data breach could have a ripple effect throughout the retail industry if consumers lose faith in handing over their personal data.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 11, 2017

Pitney Bowes boosts delivery offerings with Newgistics acquisition

After at least three logistics-related acquisitions in as many years, the technology company's shipping sector ambitions have become increasingly clear.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 11, 2017

Report: Online holiday shoppers have high delivery expectations

Consumers are steadily moving online to shop more often, and their expectations for swift and free delivery are only solidifying, according to new research from Walker Sands.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 11, 2017

Store openings drive a 52% jump in web traffic

Within six weeks of opening a brick-and-mortar location, online retailers experience significant traffic increases from the surrounding postal area, according to new research. 

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 10, 2017

Amazon rebrands Shopbop

The apparel retailer is well known in fashion circles, but doesn't have the reach of Zappos — these updates could help.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 8, 2017

Billabong migrates to the cloud for omnichannel support

Another struggling retailer looks to a new platform to better connect the physical and digital.  

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 7, 2017

The Home Depot picks Google for voice shopping

The home improvement chain joins the voice-assistant fray this fall through a partnership with Google Express.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 7, 2017

Walmart opens 1,000th grocery pickup spot

The first location debuted in Denver in 2013 and the latest opened in Seattle on Thursday, as the world's largest retailer prepares for a holiday battle with Amazon with a new "hot toys" list. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 7, 2017

Walmart and Affirm: A match Amazon will find hard to beat

The importance of the partnership’s new financing options shouldn’t be underestimated, writes Christopher Walton, former VP, Target Store of the Future.  

By Christopher Walton • Sept. 7, 2017

DemandJump debuts cloud-based web traffic tracker

The tool allows retailers to see the path of an average website visitor, which could help retailers develop more appropriate marketing efforts.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 6, 2017

Walmart and Target: Which brand strategy will win?

Jet.com has emerged as Walmart’s path to reach shoppers who wouldn’t shop at the big-box retailer. Target holds its brand partners close. Which one beats Amazon?

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 6, 2017

BJ's launches websites for store brands

The popularity of cheaper store brands, a major feature of thriving no-frills German grocery chains, has grown in recent years as their quality has improved.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 6, 2017

Office Depot brings supply chain management to the cloud

Still recovering from its failed merger with Staples, the retailer is partnering with Elementum to smooth out its supply chain.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 6, 2017

Walmart’s Hayneedle debuts app with visual search

The home furnishings and decor retailer's app is armed with visual search capabilities, which could become a must-have for merchants.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 6, 2017

Study: 57% of Google search traffic is mobile

Google's move to make its search results more mobile-friendly seems to be resonating as mobile search traffic outpaces traditional desktop traffic.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 5, 2017

Alibaba to open brick-and-mortar mall in China

The effort is part of the e-commerce giant’s "New Retail" strategy, focused on connecting with consumers across all channels, according to a report. 

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 5, 2017

Report: Amazon beefs up Alexa efforts as competition grows

The company has hired more engineers to work on Alexa-related projects and has appointed a new executive to head the efforts.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 5, 2017