Wayfair enters virtual reality fray with Patio Playground

The app allows a customer wearing an Oculus Rift headset to virtually navigate a lakeside scene and select different outdoor products to create their ideal backyard setting.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 23, 2016

Amazon draws scrutiny over tech-related tax practices

Amazon is facing scrutiny for reportedly valuing its technology assets far higher in Europe to gain tax advantages.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 22, 2016

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 delivers Hyundai test drives to Prime members

The Prime Now, Drive Now on-demand test drive program spotlights the 2017 Hyundai Elantra.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 21, 2016

Dick's Sporting Goods buys Affinity for youth sports venture

The sports management software will bolster Dick's Team Sports HQ platform, which supports youth sports leagues with online registration and team/league websites among other services.  

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 21, 2016

Analyst: Retail job base shrinking due to online worker productivity

Because of e-commerce efficiency gains, there are about 1.2 million fewer retail jobs overall than there otherwise would be, an industry analyst suggests.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 18, 2016

How flash sales sites are winning retail's mobile app wars

Upstarts like Groupon and Rue La La may have lost a chunk of their cultural cachet, but their mobile apps are still generating user attention — and retention.

By Jason Ankeny • Aug. 18, 2016

Amazon's LaunchPad pairs with Product Hunt for featured products

The online retail giant is forming a co-marketing partnership with tech enthusiast community Product Hunt to help drive sales on its startup e-marketplace.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 17, 2016

Census Bureau: E-commerce made up 8.1% of all retail sales in Q2

The U.S. Dept. of Commerce Census Bureau reported that e-commerce hit $97.3 billion in the second quarter.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 16, 2016

Report: Groupon, One Kings Lane top retail mobile app rankings

As consumers increasingly shop on mobile, sticky apps have become a sort of Holy Grail for retailers. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 15, 2016

Agile Network bolsters e-commerce supply chain with Ajillus acquisition

The deal comes as the retail supply chain is becoming increasingly complex, with the industry now offering an abundance of shipping pricing models and a rising number of delivery options.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 15, 2016

Analysts: Amazon Prime Day a factor in stagnant July retail sales

While July retail sales fell 0.3% overall, July 12's Prime Day sale eclipsed last year’s inaugural event by more than 60% worldwide and more than 50% in the U.S. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2016

Amazon tries selling through one-click Prime Video product placements

Amazon and entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo are filming a series about Japanese cuisine that will enable Amazon Prime Japan viewers to use their TV remotes to purchase featured products.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 14, 2016

Study: 57% of back-to-school shoppers plan physical store purchases

A.T. Kearney found that back-to-school shoppers are spending more this year than last, and that most of them are open to using mobile devicces and promotions while they shop in-store.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 11, 2016

Wal-Mart's huge US footprint could erase Jet's sales tax advantage

Wal-Mart’s formidable nationwide network of stores and fulfillment centers could force newly-acquired e-commerce upstart Jet to collect taxes in many more states.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 11, 2016

Why Wal-Mart acquired Jet: It's all about transforming its customer base

Wal-Mart's blockbuster deal for upstart Jet heralds a new chapter in the retail goliath's war on Amazon's online dominance. Critics question whether Wal-Mart will keep making the same old mistakes.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 10, 2016

Alibaba aims to friend foreign firms seeking entry to Chinese market

The new AliLaunch program helps foreign companies sell products, find partners and navigate the numerous regulatory requirements imposed by China’s government.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2016

Honeywell reportedly eyeing JDA Software acquisition

The rumored negotiations follow just weeks after Honeywell purchased warehouse automation firm Intelligrated for $1.5 billion.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2016

Wal-Mart buys Jet for record-breaking $3b

Wal-Mart has struggled to compete online, with growth stagnating at around 7% and online sales of $14 billion last year, paling in comparison to Amazon's $99 billion retail business. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 8, 2016

Alibaba CTO touts analytics, doesn't see Amazon as competition

Jeff Zhang said Alibaba's primary business model is different from Amazon's, and that his company is not "terribly clear on Amazon China's plans."

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2016

Report: Wal-Mart/Jet talks may lead to investment, not acquisition

Insiders say Jet is seeking to raise about $640 million at a valuation of approximately $1.7 billion in an effort to expand its battle against e-commerce goliath Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 5, 2016

Amazon Dash Replenishment adds more connected devices, brand partners

The program leverages Wi-Fi sensors embedded in appliances and other items to enable automatic re-ordering of supplies for these products when customers run out of them.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 4, 2016

Pinterest to launch native video tool

Retailers will soon be able to create how-to videos that provide tips and show off products to potential shoppers.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 4, 2016

Cash-strapped Birchbox raises $15m from investors

So far in 2016, the struggling startup has laid off 80 employees, scaled back expansion plans and halted Canadian operations.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 3, 2016

Nike debuts revamped app featuring shopping, fitness services

The new app is one of the first offerings released under its new chief digital officer Adam Sussman. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 2, 2016

Report: Amazon is the preferred marketplace for Chinese sellers

The e-commerce giant edged out competitors Alibaba and Wish as the primary online marketplace for Chinese sellers. 

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 2, 2016