Forecast: Mobile apps not dead yet, sales to reach $51b in 2016

While 'umbrella' apps dominate, branded apps also can spur sales. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 4, 2016

Why Wal-Mart is losing the e-commerce game

On first glance, it seems that Wal-Mart must do more to catch up. But how much does e-commerce matter to this retail juggernaut?

By Daphne Howland • March 3, 2016

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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

Strong US dollar boosts Canada's online retail sales

The loonie has recently slumped, prompting many Americans to take advantage. And this time, many of those cross-border sales are happening online.

By Daphne Howland • March 3, 2016

Report: Amazon Prime Now seeing 'extremely impressive' adoption

Cowen & Co. says that Amazon will continue to gain traction in all areas of retail, perhaps becoming the biggest U.S. apparel retailer by next year.

By Daphne Howland • March 2, 2016

Jet buys home furnishings e-retailer Hayneedle

The acquisition brings the upstart online marketplace an array of household goods.

By Ian P. Murphy • March 1, 2016

The new realities of VR and retail

Virtual reality has long occupied only gaming and science fiction realms. But now that the technology is available, is it a fit for retail? 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 29, 2016

Amazon's IoT approach is a shopping list killer

Amazon and Brita have rolled out a pitcher that automatically reorders replacement filters via Amazon. And that’s just another way of saying, “Why go to the store?”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 29, 2016

Shopgate promotes Biel to CEO

The mobile commerce startup is readying for a major expansion upon its imminent move to Austin, TX.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 26, 2016

Is there a place for flash sales?

Wall Street and retailers alike have come to their senses when it comes to flash sales. But while the model has its pitfalls, it still has a lot of potential.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 25, 2016

Stitch Fix readies menswear service

The company is beta testing to reveal what men want in a tech-enabled personal shopping service.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 24, 2016

Nielsen readies new e-commerce measurement

Product will tap actual sales data on CPG brands from retailers such as Target. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 24, 2016

How Poshmark is driving 90% of sales from its mobile app

The peer-to-peer social commerce marketplace went mobile-first from the beginning. That, according to Poshmark's CEO, is making all the difference. 

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 23, 2016

Colorado's 'Amazon tax' gets a legal thumbs up

The ruling gives Colorado the go-ahead to collect sales tax from online orders, even if a retailer has no physical store in the state. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2016

8 Ways to Increase E-commerce Sales Without Increasing Your Marketing Budget

Checkout abandonment is causing e-commerce retailers to miss some of their most critical conversions, resulting in a loss of up to 42% of potential sales.

Feb. 23, 2016

Amazon ups free shipping minimum in Prime push

This move, aimed at non-Prime members, brings in a bit more money to cover Amazon's mounting fulfillment expenses.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 23, 2016

DSW to acquire discount e-retailer Ebuys

Some analysts hailed the move but others say Ebuys’ off-price model could be a problem for DSW.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 22, 2016

Survey: 56% of consumers choose brick-and-mortar for the savings

Consumers rate every factor influencing their purchase decision higher for stores, a new survey finds.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 22, 2016

Shopping via Snapchat may be on the way

A Snapchat board member says the social media app's Hearst channel will become an e-commerce platform. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 19, 2016

Amazon experimenting with same-day delivery for more orders

The e-retail giant confirmed to Reuters that some drivers in Texas are taking on same-day delivery orders beyond Prime Now.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 19, 2016

Ralph Lauren to open its own distribution center

It's part of a move to better align the retailer's inventory to consumer demand.

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 18, 2016

Wal-Mart misses expectations, stock tumbles

Despite ongoing efforts to ramp up e-commerce and the store experience, Wall Street was unimpressed with Wal-Mart's showing in the fourth quarter. 

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 18, 2016

The state of mobile commerce—and what the future holds

​Phones are getting bigger and phablets are here to stay, but screen size isn’t the biggest problem in mobile commerce conversion.

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 18, 2016

New Shopify app targets social selling

The Shopkey app sends shopping links directly to consumers via SMS and allows marketers to text directly with shoppers. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Feb. 17, 2016

H&M will once again set up pop-up at Coachella

Retail pop-ups at mega-events like Coachella enable retailers to ditch the mall and meet their customers where they are.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2016

Israeli retailers are waking up to the need for e-commerce

While three-quarters of Israelis shop online, just a quarter of local retailers offer web sales, according to the Israel Internet Association.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2016