Facebook's 'M' could bring voice-activated shopping to Messenger

The personal assistant, currently being tested in Facebook's Messenger app, could help accomplish tasks using human-trained AI. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 27, 2015

Former Google Shopping exec launches mobile shopping platform

With PredictSpring, Nitin Mangtani aims to smooth the current tension between web and app shopping on smartphones.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2015

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

Women prefer to buy in-store, but digital gaining ground

74% of women surveyed said they use digital technologies to identify and research items before visiting a brick-and-mortar location to buy.

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 26, 2015

In-store pickup adds to Kirkland's online growth

More than 70% of the home decor retailer's customers choose pickup over delivery when shopping online. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 26, 2015

Amazon launches one-hour alcohol delivery in Seattle

While this is the first U.S. city to get the service from Amazon, a few startups have beat the online retail giant to the space in several other territories. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 26, 2015

Style.com ready to merge magazine content, shopping

Condé Nast’s e-commerce initiative promises to merchandise experiences straight from magazine pages. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 25, 2015

Apparel shoppers still gravitate to physical stores

Bricks-and-mortar stores use technology to capture data. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 21, 2015

Retail analytics startup IntelligenceNODE raises $4M in funding

The analytics platform promises to streamline merchandising across channels. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 20, 2015

Study: Amazon fails to offer some top brands

Amazon may have some room to grow when it comes to stocking the most popular, heavily trending items that many customers are seeking. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 20, 2015

Mobile makes up 30% of US e-commerce sales

And according to Internet Retailer, that number is expected to grow twice as fast as general e-commerce sales. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 19, 2015

Survey: Marketplace sites own top of funnel

Consumers are more likely to initiate their shopping journey on a multiple-brand marketplace or their favorite website, according to the new survey. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 19, 2015

Amazon looking at public transportation for delivery

Buses, trains, and subways would join the distribution network, according to a patent filing. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 18, 2015

Competitors giving Alibaba a run for its money

The Chinese retail giant may not have counted on such fierce competition in the space it created.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2015

Amazon's assortment could help it beat Jet

Jet may win the price battle, but consumers may not be so price sensitive as Jet may think.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 17, 2015

Who What Wear receives $8 million in funding

Amazon is among the investors in the content-rich, shoppable site.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 14, 2015

eTail East 2015: How data is changing the way retailers do business

As retailers continue to learn more about their customers through data, fundamental changes to their organizational structures and priorities could be needed. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Aug. 13, 2015

Global Brands looks to China for sales

The company is in talks with e-commerce giants Alibaba and JD.com. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 13, 2015

Amazon to eliminate Product Ads

The marketplace suggests using Sponsored Products and text ads instead. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 13, 2015

Why shopping apps are struggling to break out

While apps are a great way to build loyalty, retailers are still limited by the small amount of apps a consumer will actually use regularly on their phones. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 12, 2015

Are online marketplaces a retailer's friend or foe? 8 experts weigh in

While selling on competitors' online marketplaces can help retailers reach a broader market of potential buyers, there are still many risks involved. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Aug. 12, 2015

Legacy retailers borrowing online retailers' inventory strategies

Target and Macy's are learning from once purely-online retailers' new stores, which use technology to reduce in-store inventories. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 12, 2015

IPO filings reveal Neiman Marcus's omnichannel ambitions and strategy

The department store chain is focused on expanding its digital presence.

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 11, 2015

Google Express gets new leadership amid e-commerce push

New general manager Brian Elliott led development of the search giant's "Buy" button. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 10, 2015

Twitter taps Shopify to bring 'Buy' button to more marketers

The e-commerce platform works with more than 100,000 retailers. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Aug. 6, 2015

As Etsy shares plunge, sellers' shift to Amazon 'likely'

Etsy's stock fell below its IPO price despite better-than-expected Q2 results, and it faces fundamental problems that won’t be easy to solve.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 6, 2015