E-commerce

12 news stories that shaped retail in 2018

From Sears and Mattress Firm's bankruptcies to Walmart's $16 billion Flipkart buy, here's a look back at the biggest news from the last 12 months.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 18, 2018

Google sets up shop in India

The tech company rolls into the burgeoning India e-commerce scene with a new shopping home page and search tools.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 18, 2018

Amazon toy sales surge 30%

Retailers have been locked in battle for the $11.5 billion in sales left behind by Toys R Us, and Amazon isn't the only one grabbing market share.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 18, 2018

Target makes Christmas Eve delivery guarantee on eligible orders

The mass merchant is offering free deliveries of qualified online orders placed by Dec. 20, the same cutoff at Walmart for orders from a broader assortment.

By Corinne Ruff • UPDATED: Dec. 18, 2018 at 11:20 a.m.

Paris retailers lose more than $1B in sales amid protests

As street protests continue, Amazon is being criticized as an enemy of the French worker, even while benefiting from shoppers' reluctance to visit stores.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2018

California lays out new e-commerce tax requirements

In the wake of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision this summer, states across the country are passing their own laws to ensure e-commerce players collect taxes, too.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 14, 2018

Costco stokes e-commerce with little hit to margins

The wholesaler grabbed sales from more people who live further from stores, and healthcare and grocery competitors took bigger bites out of profits.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2018

Walgreens to sell overstock, returns via B2B marketplace

The retailer will partner with liquidation platform B-Stock to rid itself of excess inventory.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 14, 2018

Zola plots NYC pop-up for engagement season

The location will include 2,000 of the company's most popular wedding registry gifts and products, as well as stations for couples to create wedding websites and 3D print custom cake toppers.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 13, 2018

Farfetch acquires Stadium Goods for $250M

Stadium Goods' short stint on the luxury marketplace was enough to sell Farfetch Founder José Neves on its long-term potential.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 13, 2018

Nectar Home unrolls rug brand 'Wovenly'

The parent company of a mattress brand targeting Middle America is making a move to expand its merchandise beyond bedding.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 13, 2018

Chico's taps Salesfloor for store associate apps

The retailer is putting digital apps in the hands of store associates to help them better serve customers during and after store visits.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 12, 2018

Petco to offer BOPIS services

The pet retailer is the latest company to launch the benefit to customers. 

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 11, 2018

Amazon eyes private label toys

The e-commerce giant appears to be leveraging the popularity of its AmazonBasics private label to categories beyond consumer products.

By Daphne Howland • UPDATED: Dec. 11, 2018 at 1:16 p.m.

Online holiday spending so far tops $80B

Mobile and click-and-collect are helping American e-commerce smash records this year, according to Adobe's latest holiday shopping update. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 10, 2018

Unboxing the holiday shipping race

For big brick-and-mortar retailers, shipping discounts are an easier cost to rationalize, but digitally focused companies can have a tougher time matching promotions.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 07, 2018

Walmart debuts tech accessories private label, Motile

The line appears to be a competitive move against Target's tech accessories private label, Heyday, which rolled out this summer.  

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 07, 2018

CNBC: Untuckit seeks deal topping $600M valuation

The men's shirt company is in growth mode and has tapped Morgan Stanley in its quest for more funding.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 07, 2018

Walmart adds Art.com to stable of digital-first brands

The big-box retailer said it sees wall decor, a $10 billion market, as key to winning the home category.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 07, 2018

Half of the apparel sold at the holidays is about to be returned

Retail analysts call the problem of returns a "ticking time bomb" for the new year. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 06, 2018

Amazon orders generated by ads jumped 54% over Thanksgiving weekend

A Quartile analysis suggests that brands increasingly must "pay to play" to stand out, or risk losing sales to those who do.

By Erica Sweeney • Dec. 05, 2018

EBay expands authentication service to jewelry

Gold, diamond and gemstone jewelry will be certified with the marketplace's authentication label, which is also used for luxury handbags and watches.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 05, 2018

Mastercard launches 3D-based virtual store experience

Should online shopping be more like browsing the aisles of a physical store? A new platform from Mastercard and Next Retail Concepts seeks that answer.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 04, 2018

Jet's Cyber Monday revenue plummeted 39%

Parent company Walmart performed well, as did Kohl's, Nordstrom and Amazon, according to an Edison Trends report.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 30, 2018