Report: Wal-Mart checking out robotic shopping cart

The shopping cart can navigate stores without being pushed by a customer and provides other customer support functions.

By Dan O'Shea • June 15, 2016

Birchbox scales back expansion as competition intensifies

The company started the subscription box trend in retail, but is now seeing a crop of rivals challenge its ambitions for growth. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 15, 2016

Explore the Trendline➔

The direct-to-consumer landscape in retail

More mature brands are pursuing exit strategies and expanding their reach, while traditional retailers are increasingly shifting to a DTC model.

By Retail Dive staff

Retail sales rise 0.5% in May, boosted by e-commerce growth

Sporting goods and apparel sales increased last month, while department stores and home improvement sales declined.

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2016

Apple Pay expanding to websites, challenging PayPal

But the long-awaited online payment option will only be available on Apple's Safari browser.  

By Daphne Howland • June 14, 2016

9 experts on the state of 'buy online, pick up in-store'

Many retailers are adding the service to their omnichannel offerings, even if it's not 100% efficient—yet.

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 13, 2016

Salesforce, BCG studies challenge e-commerce's unstoppable trajectory

Physical stores retain big advantages over e-commerce, according to a pair of new consumer surveys.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2016

Report: Online apparel sales will rise 20% over next four years

Older millennials are poised to shift more of their clothing purchases to the web, and other groups could follow suit.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2016

Amazon to inject another $3b in India operations

Amazon has turned to India for overseas growth as China has cooled.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2016

'The world's most secretive company': 5 Amazon takeaways from IRCE 2016

Amazon drives more discussion and debate than any other retailer. It was even the subject of its own day-long workshop at this year's IRCE retail conference. Here's a recap.

By Jason Ankeny • June 9, 2016

Analyst: Amazon Prime subscribers could reach 70m by end of 2016

The Prime shipping program and complementary Fulfilled by Amazon service are driving customer adoption, said Piper Jaffray senior research analyst Gene Munster.

By Jason Ankeny • June 8, 2016

Survey: E-commerce seeing 'rapid' growth with 51% of purchases made online

And Amazon is driving the move to the web by resetting consumers' expectations for shopping.

By Daphne Howland • June 8, 2016

1-800-Flowers on chatbots, online gifting and the automation of thoughtfulness

As artificial intelligence interfaces replace human customer service representatives, retail transactions are becoming more convenient and, maybe, a little less human. Which is just how some customers want it.

By Lara Ewen • June 7, 2016

Analyst: Amazon could be largest American company by 2020

Amazon this week surpassed Facebook as the sixth-largest U.S. company by stock market value.

By Daphne Howland • June 3, 2016

Amazon pushes back against fake reviews by suing sellers

The e-commerce giant is suing sellers for the first time in an effort to combat a recurring issue on its platform. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 2, 2016

Mary Meeker report dives into online trends impacting retailers

E-commerce continues to grow and marketers are missing out on mobile, according to the Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield & Byers guru.

By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2016

Indiegogo founder Slava Rubin on e-commerce, the evolution of crowdfunding and bringing ideas to life

While its platform remains focused on helping entrepreneurs and creatives shepherd their projects from concept to market, Indiegogo is also emerging as a digital commerce force.

By Jason Ankeny • June 1, 2016

Wayfair launches Magellan proprietary display ad platform

Magellan will leverage consumer data insights to enhance personalization, the online home furnishings and décor retailer said.

By Daphne Howland • June 1, 2016

JustFab looks to shake bad press, angry customers

The owner of Fabletics has seen intense scrutiny of its monthly subscriptions that are hard to cancel. 

By Daphne Howland • June 1, 2016

Study reveals poor product content's impact on digital sales

The quality and completeness of product content across industries and retail channels significantly impacts returns, shopping cart abandonment and brand trust.

May 31, 2016

Study: Retailers' omnichannel efforts leave customers wanting

A recent study found that 17% of retailer apps displayed in-store inventory quantities, and just 7% attempted to save the sale when there’s friction. 

By Daphne Howland • May 27, 2016

Wal-Mart ending price matching at 500 stores

But shoppers can still get competitors’ lower advertised prices—they just need to use the retailer’s “Savings Catcher” app.

By Daphne Howland • May 26, 2016

Amazon halts price-match refunds on all products except TVs

The policy change comes at a time when several startups have developed applications that alert shoppers to potential refund opportunities.

By Daphne Howland • May 24, 2016

Why consumer generated content could be a boon for brands

As shoppers look for more authentic reviews and ways to browse online, today's most important fashion photographer may be the customer.

By Daphne Howland • May 23, 2016

Gap CEO: We must consider selling on Amazon

But at least one retail expert thinks Amazon is the last place Gap should be.

By Daphne Howland • May 19, 2016

Postmates CEO slams Amazon's private label push: 'Most of it is crap'

During a fireside chat at Shoptalk 2016, Bastian Lehmann scoffed at the notion that consumers will want to purchase a growing assortment of items produced by Amazon.

By Jason Ankeny • May 18, 2016