What big-box retailers have to gain from DTC brands

The benefits for a direct-to-consumer brand sitting on a Walmart or Target shelf seem obvious. But mass merchants have a lot to learn from those brands.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 22, 2021

ThirdLove expands into loungewear

This launch marks the first real expansion for the DTC brand, which up to this point, has been focused squarely on bras and underwear.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 19, 2021

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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

Walmart posts 'record' Q4 thanks to online and holiday demand

The retailer said it expects sales growth to slow in the coming months as it attempts to maintain pandemic growth.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 18, 2021

Livestream shopping platform Talkshoplive raises $3M

Other companies have been experimenting with livestream commerce to connect with homebound consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2021

DTC holding company eyes expansion with Gravity acquisition

Win Brands Group, which buys and scales DTC brands, also closed a $50 million funding round aimed solely at adding to its portfolio.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 18, 2021

DTC soap brand's first Super Bowl ad reaps rewards in market share

Dr. Squatch's top seller gained 200% in market share in its category on Amazon, according to Profitero.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 17, 2021

Amazon acquires small digital commerce platform to challenge Shopify

Australian startup Selz is a bit player, but the takeover signals the e-commerce behemoth's intentions to reenter a space it abandoned years ago.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2021

BarkBox parent revenues grow 78% in Q3

Ahead of its public debut through a SPAC deal, the online pet retailer released preliminary financial results, which also reveal unprofitability. 

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 16, 2021

One year later: How COVID-19 upended retail and what it means for 2021

Temporary store closings in March were the kickoff to a brutal year, but businesses learned a few things about what it takes to stay afloat.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 16, 2021

Walmart+ gains traction 5 months after launch

Less than a year after its release, the subscription service has attracted up to 8.2 million members, a CIRP study found.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 12, 2021

WSJ: Best Buy cuts jobs, hours for some store workers as it pivots to digital

The electronics retailer has been making changes to its operating model in stores as its channel mix adjusts to more online purchases.

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 11, 2021

Poshmark enters into the pet category

The secondhand marketplace is getting into the popular pet segment just a few weeks after its IPO. 

By Kaarin Moore • Feb. 11, 2021

E-commerce warehouse productivity could improve up to 20% with greater automation: Prologis

Researchers estimate that the adoption of automation could reduce the demand for industrial real estate as existing facilities become more productive.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 11, 2021

Shopify adds Shop Pay to Facebook, Instagram

It's the first expansion of the service outside of Shopify's own platform, and seeks to offer a smoother buying process.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 10, 2021

Retail tech startup Tulip launches fulfillment tool

As retailers look for more convenient services to offer, the company wants to help retailers manage, track and deliver online orders directly from stores.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 9, 2021

Tractor Supply offers on-demand vet advice via app

The service, which can also be accessed via chat or email, is part of the retailer's push to be a "more complete resource for pet parents." 

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 9, 2021

Nordstrom leans on off-price, digital to chase customers and profits

The department store is phasing out HauteLook and making sweeping changes to how it works with suppliers.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 5, 2021

Hudson's Bay online marketplace will feature more than 500 third-party sellers

The retailer initially put a call out for Canadian vendors to become part of the digital initiative as it prepped to enter the space in February.

By Kaarin Moore , Daphne Howland • Updated March 22, 2021

What does a government reckoning with Google and Facebook mean for retail?

For many, the tech giants are key to customer acquisition online, and they dominate the market for digital advertising, making them all but unavoidable for retailers. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 4, 2021

Amazon posts a 'monster' Q4 with pandemic still driving demand

Sales in North America were up 40% as pandemic-wary shoppers tapped the e-commerce giant and its growing shipping empire. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 3, 2021

Casper taps Walmart e-commerce vet as COO

Charles Liu replaces Greg Macfarlane, who stepped down from the chief operating and CFO roles last May.

By Caroline Jansen • Feb. 3, 2021

UPS prepares for long-term capacity squeeze, moves toward 'personalized pricing'

The peak season capacity shortfall experienced in 2020 is expected to continue in the new year, CEO Carol Tomé said Tuesday.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 3, 2021

What 2021 means for sports marketing — and how Foot Locker's approaching it now

Priorities have changed for sports retailers. Foot Locker has invested in digital-focused campaigns, but companies need more than a new marketing strategy to succeed.

By Cara Salpini • Feb. 3, 2021

DTC brand Native launches hair care line

The company, which primarily sells deodorants and soaps, is debuting its first line of hair products exclusively at Target.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 3, 2021

8 DTC trends to watch in 2021

While the broader industry outlook remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Digitally native brands will continue to adapt and evolve in the year ahead.

By Caroline Jansen , Cara Salpini , Maria Monteros • Feb. 3, 2021