Amazon reportedly closing in on Alexa-powered paid voice search

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners indicates that 8.2 million U.S. Amazon customers now have Alexa-enabled Echo devices, and about two-thirds use the devices for information queries, including searches.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2017

Amazon rolls out Prime Surprise Sweets via Dash program

Each Prime Surprise Sweets box costs $18 and contains a random assortment of small-batch candy made by artisans from across the U.S.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

How the purpose of stores is evolving

Stores have always evolved in order to compete as times, technology and tastes change. And, most of all, to please customers.

By Retail Dive staff

Sears unveils IBM Watson-driven AI tire shopping app

Digital Tire Journey leverages Watson's Natural Language Classifier service to help auto owners obtain recommendations that take into account their personal needs and driving habits.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2017

Amazon expands Dash buttons to all customers, virtually

The e-commerce giant’s homepage now features personalized one-click purchase Dash buttons based on household items consumers have previously ordered and may want to replenish.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2017

Birchbox to open second physical store in Paris

The subscription beauty retailer in 2014 opened its first full-line physical store in New York City’s Soho neighborhood, and shoppers there have a 3x higher lifetime value with the brand.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 20, 2017

5 technologies reshaping retail in 2017

Robotics and drone delivery are just two of the innovations poised to wield greater influence on retail operations this year.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 19, 2017

Report: Amazon leapfrogs rivals in mobile commerce

Amazon has tripled its number of U.S. unique mobile visitors in two years, according to a note from investment firm Oppenheimer.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2017

Amazon reportedly in search of creative chief for VR commerce plans

The chief will "envision the future of Amazon’s VR solutions and guide our creative and technical teams to produce compelling, world-class experiences," the ad reads.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2017

Report: Shoppers expect more from mobile in store

Enthusiasm for online shopping is waning, and store satisfaction is on the rise, but consumers want to use their phones to guide in-store shopping, a survey found.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2017

Alibaba launches Big Data Anti-Counterfeiting Alliance

The announcement comes just weeks after Alibaba's Taobao marketplace landed back on the United States Trade Representative’s Notorious Markets blacklist.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2017

Adobe debuts new omnichannel capabilities for retailers

The new Fluid Experiences for Retail capability allows retailers to develop and manage omnichannel experiences across touchpoints such as in-store associate apps, social channels and smart screens. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 17, 2017

EBay launching authentication service to fight fakes

Inspectors will scrutinize goods for sellers who pay for the service and for buyers purchasing non-authenticated goods, but the program is limited to certain types of merchandise.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 13, 2017

Amazon Canada to change pricing practices, pay $1.1M fine

The Canadian Competition Bureau (a body analogous to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission) claims Amazon created the impression that its prices were lower than prevailing market prices.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

Walgreens adding FedEx dropoff, pickup locations nationwide

FedEx customers will be able to drop off pre-packaged and pre-labeled shipments and pick up packages at their neighborhood Walgreens store.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2017

NRF: Retail's Big Show

iQmetrix is powering a significant shift in retail – one that’s helping retailers redefine the in-store experience.

Jan. 11, 2017

Report: Wal-Mart poised to eliminate 1K corporate jobs

The retail giant’s investments in stores and its ongoing e-commerce push are driving efforts to seek out efficiencies.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2017

7 trends that will disrupt and define retail in 2017

As the dust settles from a record-shattering holiday shopping season, the retail industry turns its focus to a new year — along with new opportunities and challenges. Here’s what you can expect.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 10, 2017

Trunk Club founder Spaly leaves Nordstrom weeks after $197M write-down

Terry Boyle, president of NordstromRack.com/HauteLook, will also take on leadership of the online stylist unit.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2017

How Amazon Go will transform the grocery experience

The online behemoth's register-free store disrupts the landscape, but does more convenience take away from what food shopping has always been?

By Keith Loria • Jan. 9, 2017

Amazon, grocery chains to pilot online food stamp sales

The two-year pilot slated to begin this summer is designed to test online SNAP purchasing in a variety of retail types, in both urban and rural areas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2017

In challenge to Amazon's Zappos, Wal-Mart's Jet tries on Shoebuy

The acquisition is the speediest way to expand Jet’s reach and further Wal-Mart’s goals of increasing and diversifying its online customer base.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 6, 2017

Ford adding Amazon Alexa capabilities to some of its cars

Ford’s self-described “Alexa on the go” capabilities will include voice-driven orders of Amazon products, the ability to listen to audiobooks, get directions and more.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 5, 2017

Food for thought: 7 trends set to define grocery retail in 2017

Online grocery, last-mile shipping, social media marketing, product transparency and differentiated shopping experiences will highlight the year ahead.

By Sandy Skrovan • Jan. 5, 2017

Gap testing virtual dressing room app for Google Tango smartphones

The DressingRoom app allows shoppers to overlay different clothes and outfits to see how they look from a variety of angles before making a buying decision.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017

LG introduces smart refrigerator with Amazon Alexa-enabled grocery ordering

The Smart InstaView refrigerator, powered by LG’s own webOS software platform and equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, also can use the Alexa voice assistant technology to search recipes, play music and add items to a shopping list.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017