Ahead of Black Friday, retailers brace for online returns

Companies have been proactive in preparing for a season where e-commerce is king. Will it be enough? Seven experts weigh in.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 25, 2020

Best Buy posts 'blockbuster' Q3 with digital sales up nearly 175%

The electronics retailer has kept up its winning streak amid the pandemic, while its growth bodes well for the U.S. consumer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 24, 2020

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

In late and loose forecast, NRF predicts holiday growth of 3.6% to 5.2%

An unprecedented level of uncertainty from the surging pandemic, the weak economy and the presidential election led the group to cover a few bases.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 24, 2020

With relatively few stores, Amazon touts holiday pickup options

The e-commerce giant is suddenly at something of a disadvantage as fulfillment promptness remains a worry.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 23, 2020

Is Amazon's pharmacy foray disruptive? Experts disagree.

Analysts are split on the impact of the e-commerce giant entering the space in full force. Either way, it's unwelcome news for heavyweights like CVS and Walgreens.

By Samantha Liss • Nov. 20, 2020

Caleres to close 133 Naturalizer stores in shift to digital

Hit by the pandemic, many of the locations under the women's footwear brand had become unprofitable, while more sales were originating online.

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 20, 2020

3 ways fashion retailers can adapt to a COVID-19 holiday season

To prepare for this holiday season during COVID-19, fashion retailers must "get with the times" by being innovative in optimizing their online shopping experience.

Nov. 19, 2020

Out of stocks hit Casper's top line

The online mattress brand faced net revenue declines of 3.3%, while others in the category continue to win during the pandemic.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 17, 2020

The not-so-darling side of DTC brands

Direct-to-consumer brands have disrupted the categories they operate in. But cracks in the model have started to appear.

Nov. 16, 2020

Is the DTC brand aesthetic bad for business?

Sans serif font and bright colored backgrounds are hallmarks of digitally native brands, but it may not matter if they all look the same.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 16, 2020

5 DTC brands to watch

While more traditional retailers have begun leaning into the model, the true DTC darlings aren't going away, and the industry is ready to welcome the next class.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 16, 2020

'It's a violation of an implicit psychological contract': Why DTC culture issues hit hard

Many DTCs have faced criticism for workplace issues. Part of the problem may be that they promised something better.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 16, 2020

The implications of shipping direct to consumer

On top of high costs, fast and free delivery expectations, and returns, brands also put customer retention at risk by forfeiting control over the last mile.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 16, 2020

5 ways retailers have adapted to a Black Friday unlike any other

Curbside sales, staggered discounts, websites that hold your place in line — retailers are reinventing Black Friday for a pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 16, 2020

The power of YouTube in the era of COVID-19

Consumers are turning to new and unfamiliar retailers; YouTube, in particular, is uniquely positioned to help retailers connect with consumers and drive meaningful engagement.

By Sarah Travis and Elliott Nix • Nov. 16, 2020

Walmart adds 'pop-up' e-commerce distribution centers for the holidays

The model provides flexibility, allowing the retailer to increase capacity when it's experiencing peak-level volume and scale down when demand dissipates.

By Matt Leonard • Nov. 13, 2020

Best Buy adds Lovesac products to online assortment

The announcement builds on an existing partnership where the products were sold through shop-in-shops in the electronics retailer's stores.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 12, 2020

Bluestar buys Ascena's Justice brand for $90M

The owner of Hurley, Bebe and Brookstone had to up its bid for the tween brand to buy it at a bankruptcy auction. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 11, 2020

NBCUniversal ramps up shoppable content with new platform, PayPal deal

One Platform Commerce unifies the broadcaster's e-commerce efforts as consumers are shopping online and brands seek alternatives to pricey TV ads.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 10, 2020

Nordstrom ties up with Casper to sell products in stores, online

The move adds another DTC brand to the department store's roster and allows it to capitalize on the boom the home category has seen in recent months.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 10, 2020

Allbirds to raise prices on Black Friday to fight climate change

Following in the footsteps of other environmentally conscious companies, the DTC brand is using the shopping day to take a stand against consumerism.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 9, 2020

Delays, surcharges and returns: Holiday shipping headaches have just begun

In a season expected to produce more than $190 billion from online sales alone, retailers are pulling out all the stops to keep up with demand.

By Caroline Jansen • Nov. 9, 2020

Alibaba's Global Shopping Festival reports strong early results

The first window of this year's expanded event has shown robust sales for brands like Nike, Adidas and Estée Lauder. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 6, 2020

Alibaba, Richemont pour $1.1B into Farfetch

The move underscores China's importance to the luxury market and perhaps a newfound level of urgency for upscale brands to embrace digital.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 6, 2020

What the past decade did to retail

As 2020 comes to a close, Retail Dive analyzed trends in apparel, venture capital and financialization that shaped the industry. Check out the full series.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 6, 2020