4 retailers going beyond the buy with mobile apps

These retailers are using mobile apps—including a few that don't even sell their wares—to build loyalty and reinforce positioning. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 25, 2015

Amazon says FAA-approved drone 'already obsolete'

But while the company also says it’s flying freer in Europe due to less restriction, the real picture there is more complicated.

By Daphne Howland • March 25, 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

Karmaloop files for bankruptcy

The street-wise apparel company also garnered financing for its restructuring plan, with Kanye West and Damon Dash reportedly among those interested in buying a stake.

By Daphne Howland • March 24, 2015

Amazon may own '.free' domain

ICANN documents indicate that other bidders have dropped out of the auction. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 23, 2015

Device disruption: A look at the nimble digital shopper

Consumers are expecting a flexible retail experience, regardless of location or device usage. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 20, 2015

Rakuten continues to diversify with OverDrive acquisition

Japan's largest online marketplace has expanded its e-book footprint. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 20, 2015

Ulta's e-commerce revenue jumps 56%

Total sales grew 21.4% to reach $3.2 billion in 2014.  

By Ian P. Murphy • March 19, 2015

DSW beats expectations on e-commerce push

But the retailer is finding that ship-from-store is expensive and will tweak how it fulfills online orders from stores, its CEO says.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2015

Mary Kay Cosmetics sues RetailMeNot for fraud

The coupon site says it’s a bridge between shoppers and brands, but the cosmetics company would like to burn that.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2015

Amazon shuttering Webstore e-commerce platform

Small and medium retailers now have several other strong platform options like Shopify and Bigcommerce.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2015

Amazon: No fear of failure

America’s premier e-commerce site utterly disrupted retail. Now that retail’s hitting back, will Amazon survive?

By Daphne Howland • March 18, 2015

Sotheby's, eBay launch partnership

The first online auction by the two companies will go live online April 1 to a broad global customer base.

By Daphne Howland • March 17, 2015

AltoCloud wins $2 million in funding

The software solution uses machine learning to tailor next steps for site visitors. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 17, 2015

Facebook buys shopping search engine TheFind

The e-commerce search engine could help improve localized results for Facebook's search. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 16, 2015

The power of online reviews

Consumers want to see reviews good and bad, and expect to see them in every channel.

By Ian P. Murphy • March 13, 2015

Amazon acquires tech startup 2lemetry

The move is thought to be key to the retailer's nascent Internet of Things strategy. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 12, 2015

Alibaba to invest $200 million in Snapchat

The Chinese e-commerce company also said that Mike Katz will join its investment team from San Francisco.

By Daphne Howland • March 12, 2015

Amazon unveils Pinterest-like 'Exclusives' storefront

“Amazon Exclusives” has a selection of products that are found exclusively on the storefront or on the sellers’ own sites.

By Daphne Howland • March 11, 2015

Royal Mail to open on Alibaba's Tmall

The postal service of the United Kingdom aims to provide logistics to British retailers selling on the Chinese marketplace.

By Daphne Howland • March 11, 2015

eBay February auction sales drop 26%

Looks like shoppers habits may be changing as the marketplace’s direct sales rose 8.6% and more sellers turn to Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • March 11, 2015

Ad-supported free music may be doomed

Apple isn't expected to offer a free version when it relaunches Beats as iTunes, and one prominent music executive has also changed his mind about the idea.

By Daphne Howland • March 10, 2015

Square announces free chargeback protection for retailers

The payments company will cover disputes of up to $250 per month at no charge. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 10, 2015

Logistics company Amber Road buys sourcing specialist

The combination of the two SaaS firms will help supply manufacturers source multiple lines at different price points. 

By Ian P. Murphy • March 10, 2015

Barnes & Noble invests in online study vendor Flashnotes

The investment makes good on the bookseller’s announcement last month that it would spin off and expand its collegiate business.

By Daphne Howland • March 10, 2015

Chinese telecom giant Huawei enters smartwatch race

The smartwatch was a surprise hit at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

By Ian P. Murphy • March 9, 2015