Amazon Marketplace shipments eclipse record 2B in 2016

The e-commerce giant’s fulfillment and advertising programs are boosting independent merchants and brands, who have more and more ways to reach its sticky, high-spending Prime members.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2017

For first time, Alibaba sues Taobao merchants over fakes

The Chinese e-commerce giant has filed suit against two sellers, alleging sales of counterfeit Swarovski watches.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 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

The 7 trends that will shape apparel retail in 2017

Technology, integration, innovation and personalization will be all the rage in fashion retail during the year ahead.  

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 4, 2017

Amazon's one-click patent nearing expiration date

So-called “utility” patents expire 20 years after the patent filing date — in this case, Sept. 12, 1997 — meaning that other retailers will soon be able to use the one-click function without having to license it from Amazon.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Run-DMC suing retailers over trademark infringement

The iconic hip-hop group is seeking a minimum $50 million in damages over alleged sales of counterfeit merchandise.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 3, 2017

How tech drove retailer turnaround efforts in 2016

Staples, Sears and J.C. Penney were among the big sector names leaning on tech innovation to help steer their comeback narratives and position themselves for growth in 2017.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Amazon lands patent for 'airborne fulfillment center' to aid drone deliveries

The blimp-like fulfillment center concept intends to stock products for drones in order to assist them in filling orders as quickly as possible.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Amazon touts bountiful holiday season for Alexa-based devices

Sales of Amazon devices employing the company’s Alexa virtual assistant technology were nine times higher than during the 2015 holiday shopping rush.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Amazon finally unveils Wickedly Prime premium snack line

Unlike the e-commerce giant's Happy Belly, Mama Bear and Presto! consumables brands, Wickedly Prime features the Amazon “smile” in its logo as well as the Prime trademark.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 29, 2016

Birchbox CEO: We're here for the 'beauty majority'

The company that launched subscription-based beauty retail believes brick and mortar holds real promise. And founder Katia Beauchamp is fine with giving rivals a few incremental sales.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 28, 2016

Rent the Runway raises $60M to expand store footprint, subscription business

The New York City-based startup, co-founded in 2009 by Harvard Business School graduates Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, has now raised more than $190 million in venture financing.

By Jason Ankeny • Dec. 28, 2016

J. Crew website suffers extended holiday outage

The embattled apparel brand is just the latest retailer to fall victim to web issues over the critical holiday shopping season.

By Jason Ankeny • Dec. 27, 2016

Court orders Amazon to hand over customer information

A judge rejected Amazon’s argument that complying with a previous court order to hand over customer information in a class action lawsuit would violate the e-commerce kingpin's shopper confidentiality promise.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2016

Alibaba recruiting brands to escalate fight against fakes

The Chinese e-commerce colossus is establishing an anti-counterfeit advisory board to include brands and trade associations, but details are murky at best — and trust is low.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2016

Pokemon Go comes to the Apple Watch

The announcement comes just days after game developer Niantic announced Pokemon Go retail partnerships with Starbucks and Sprint.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016

US Trade office re-lists Alibaba's Taobao in Notorious Markets report

Alibaba blamed the political climate in the U.S. and called the move “counterproductive.”

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 22, 2016

FedEx: We cut ties with retailers over rates

The shipper seems quite confident that it can demand the prices it needs to protect its margins, signaling that e-commerce fulfillment costs are unlikely to fall any time soon.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2016

Bain: Traditional accounting methods aren't capturing omnichannel advantages

There’s a reason pure-play retailers are opening stores: E-commerce is expensive, store-based fulfillment is cheaper and stores boost orders in both channels, according to a new report.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2016

The new look of fashion: How 2016 made over apparel retail

Amazon disrupted and dominated apparel throughout the year, but it wasn't the only trendsetter: Mobile made waves, omnichannel became omnipresent — and much more.

By Lara Ewen • Dec. 21, 2016

Amazon Echo sold out online, only available at stores — and rivals

The Alexa-powered speakers are still for sale at many of its physical stores and pop-ups, as well as competitors Best Buy, eBay and Rakuten.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2016

Pew: 80% of Americans shop online, but most still prefer stores

Whenever Americans can comparison-shop on price, they will, including using their phones while in stores, according to a new Pew Research Center survey.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 20, 2016

12 news stories that shaped retail in 2016

From American Apparel's second bankruptcy to Amazon's blockbuster self-made holiday, here's a look back at the biggest events from the last 12 months.

By Corinne Ruff, Jason Ankeny • Dec. 19, 2016

American Eagle, Aerie debut bots for bra browsing, holiday shopping

Customers may browse bra styles using filters like fit, style or occasion. The bot also promotes company culture through photos, videos and social media.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 18, 2016

Amazon reportedly developing Uber-like app for truckers

The application would match truckers with the shippers that need them to move goods, also eliminating the 15% commission typically charged by third parties to broker such deals.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 16, 2016

Report: Few retailers are omnichannel 'leaders'

Just 6% of retailers rate as “leaders” in omnichannel, according to a report from brand intelligence firm L2.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2016