Etsy updates AI use policies to emphasize craftsmanship

While it’s implementing more AI, the online marketplace now requires at least one authentic, non-AI generated image in most seller listings.

By Dani James • Oct. 23, 2026

Walmart welcomes external AI agents — with some guardrails

The mass retailer is focused on transparency and customer control with a new AI agent profile feature and updated agent terms.

By Dani James • Oct. 22, 2026

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

EBay cuts 1K jobs, downsizing for the second time this year

The layoffs, affecting about 9% of the marketplace giant’s global workforce, will impact all regions where it operates.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 22, 2026

Tractor Supply taps former Home Depot exec as chief technology, digital officer

Fahim Siddiqui will oversee digital operations and work to bolster long-term growth by improving the retailer’s customer experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 22, 2026

Why customers are fed up with AI chatbots

Few things will cause a customer to immediately request — or demand — a live agent like a bot that misunderstands them.

By Matt Vartabedian • Oct. 22, 2026

Amazon eyes 300K holiday hires

The e-commerce giant is increasing U.S. holiday staffing by 20% compared to the past three seasons.

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 21, 2026

Can Best Buy be the new gaming boss?

The electronics retailer is piloting a gaming hub that brings together content, deals and preorders, and will also open a dedicated gaming hub inside a store in California.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 20, 2026

UPS’ Happy Returns comes to TikTok Shop

Pacsun and Everlane are among the retailers tapping into the new integration ahead of the post-holiday returns rush.

By Max Garland • Oct. 20, 2026

Walmart opens next-gen California facility to boost West Coast fulfillment

The 900,000-square-foot site is equipped with an automated storage and retrieval system to help increase order capacity to enable faster shipping.

By Kelly Stroh • Oct. 19, 2026

Bealls to debut mobile app

The app is intended to create a more connected shopping experience across channels, while also supporting the retailer’s strategy around loyalty.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 15, 2026

Gen Z, Gen Alpha and the AI-ificiation of retail this holiday season

AI is “rewiring” the brains of today’s youth, at the same time that they’re craving physical experiences. Can retailers strike the right balance?

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 13, 2026

The next era of retail tech — with AI at the core

Retail is changing fast. Discover how AI and mobility are redefining the store of tomorrow.

By Ian Slack • Oct. 12, 2026

Online spend during Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days neared $10B in the US

The retailer’s two-day event drove sales at multiple stores including Walmart as consumers hunted for bargains and discounts ahead of the holiday rush.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 9, 2026

Amazon retail division hit by job cuts

The e-commerce giant is changing the structure of its stores business, impacting hundreds of employees.

By Dani James • Oct. 8, 2026

Walmart debuts 1-hour express pickup, ASL service ahead of holidays

The mass retailer will expand the new pickup option nationwide in the upcoming weeks and is using Sorenson for in-store American Sign Language interpretation.

By Dani James • Oct. 8, 2026

ThredUp CEO on AI costs: ‘I was both surprised and didn’t care’

James Reinhart said nothing should be done to slow employees’ use of AI because the benefits will outweigh those initial costs eventually.

By Dani James • Oct. 8, 2026

TikTok to add AI-powered discovery and one-click checkout

The social media platform is hoping to capitalize on its role as a product discovery engine by adding a conversational AI agent and simpler checkout.

By Bryan Wassel • Oct. 7, 2026

Target’s digital holiday catalog features toys — and a way to incorporate handwritten wish lists

The retailer’s kids catalog is focused on interactive experiences, including demonstrations and video reviews. 

By Kaarin Moore • Oct. 5, 2026

Gap unveils AI-assisted shopping, three decades after its first website

Customers can now get recommendations from the Alta Daily and Daydream platforms. Banana Republic and Old Navy are also launching conversational shopping agents.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2026

Ikea to shutter 3 small-format plan and order stores

The retailer is closing locations in Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland, including one that opened less than a year ago, as it reevaluates its footprint.

By Caroline Jansen • Oct. 2, 2026

KnitWell Group names chief digital and customer data officer

Angelica Munson was appointed to the newly created role for the Ann Taylor and Chico’s parent company. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 1, 2026

1-800-Flowers to sell PersonalizationMall.com, Things Remembered

The $45 million transaction marks a steep drop from the $245 million purchase price for PersonalizationMall.com about six years ago.

By Dani James • Sept. 30, 2026

Wayfair ups investment in sports for values-focused brand platform

The retailer is amplifying its latest effort by increasing advertising investment across the networks airing football games to five times its previous spend.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 29, 2026

Best Buy to launch on TikTok Shop

Customers will be able to purchase products directly through the social commerce platform, with orders fulfilled by the retailer. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 29, 2026

Consumers aren’t just buying gifts this holiday season. They’re stocking up on essentials.

Total online spend in the U.S. will top $275 billion, according to Adobe, but many will use seasonal deals to stockpile necessities. 

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 28, 2026