Amazon reportedly expanding FBA Onsite trial

The retailer appears to be expanding a trial that installs its own logistics processes at the locations of merchant partners.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2018

JD.com planning US-based logistics

The e-commerce retailer's U.S. ambitions, however, are not a priority but a longer-term aspiration, the company told Retail Dive.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

The state of retail returns

Retailers of all sizes are streamlining operations so customers can have a smooth return experience. 

By Retail Dive staff

Amazon's free shipping attracts 88% of shoppers

Free shipping is the biggest draw for Amazon customers, but an easy return policy and a wide assortment doesn't hurt, according to a new study by Epsilon.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 26, 2018

Target deploying Shipt deliveries to 57 stores

The companies are ready to roll out the program after just eight weeks and plan for it to be at nearly every store by the 2018 holiday season.  

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2018

Report: Teamsters tell UPS to lay off drone, driverless delivery vehicles

As UPS sits down with the Teamsters union to hammer out a new contract, tech innovations like drones and driverless trucks are a point of contention.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2018

Lamps Plus brings order tracking to text, call and voice

As virtual assistants become more frequently-used customer service tools, applications like instant order tracking should naturally become part of the conversation.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2018

Tackling food waste is $18.2B opportunity for retailers

A new "action guide" from ReFED makes the case that the cost of wasted food is more than double the profit potential from the original product and outlines ways to significantly boost recovery efforts.

By Cole Rosengren • Jan. 24, 2018

Pirch retreats from retail with new membership program

The company was a poster child for today’s brick-and-mortar goals with a highly experiential shopping environment, but has closed most stores and will now rely on the design trade for sales.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2018

Survey: Online shoppers love deals, free shipping

Recent findings from both Radial and the National Retail Federation show consumers have made low prices and free shipping table stakes for online retailers.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 18, 2018

IBM aims to solve global shipping inefficiencies with blockchain

Blockchain continues to edge its way into retail-related applications, as IBM and Maersk look to use it to improve international supply chain processes.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 18, 2018

Rent the Runway to deploy self-scanning kiosks

The apparel rental company is hoping the technology will improve customer experience and speed up the pick up and drop off process.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 11, 2018

Jeff Bezos is the world's richest person

The Amazon founder and CEO surpassed Microsoft founder Bill Gates with a net worth of $106 billion, according to Bloomberg.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2018

Deliv, August Home partner on in-home delivery

The companies already work with Walmart on a pilot to deliver perishables into refrigerators when nobody is home.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 10, 2018

Finish Line seeks an edge in merchandising revamp

Between its own stores and online efforts, Finish Line has been grappling with a complex multi-channel inventory challenge. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 8, 2018

In-store returns offer most economic benefit for retailers

Though methods and costs may vary, most consumers prefer an in-store return option as well, according to a new report.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Jan. 3, 2018

Amazon Prime shipped over 5B items in 2017

The online giant sent out a slew of statistics about its devices, Prime membership and streaming services — but what do they mean?

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 3, 2018

Holiday returns to reach 1.4M in one day

UPS expects returns to peak Wednesday, on National Returns Day, and Walmart hopes to ease the process with a new mobile app feature.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 2, 2018

Study: 5B pounds of retail returns end up in landfills

Returns have increased with the growth of e-commerce, and voice-enabled shopping will likely propel only more, according to a study by Optoro.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 27, 2017

Home Depot reportedly mulling acquisition of $9B logistics company

XPO provides several retailers, including Amazon, with delivery services, and the home improvement retailer might be playing defense with the possible acquisition.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 27, 2017

Prime Now chief takes over Amazon food delivery units

Stephenie Landry is the logical choice to lead the company's grocery and restaurant delivery businesses as Amazon prepares for a grocery push in 2018.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 22, 2017

Amazon is scrambling to minimize packaging

The puzzle of e-commerce fulfillment is an important but often glossed over aspect of the changing retail landscape, and the inefficiencies in packaging are a large part of that.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2017

Santa's migrating his toy workshop to the cloud

At the North Pole, the elves were suffering and couldn't keep up with the high volume of orders. Because Santa failed to check the list twice, elves were fulfilling orders from Christmases long past, leading to inefficiency and wasted work.

By Naomi Eide • Dec. 21, 2017

Will Walmart woo holiday procrastinators with in-store pickup?

While the big-box retailer can't compete with Amazon's last-minute delivery, it does have one major advantage — over 4,750 stores. But is that enough?

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 20, 2017

Target's $550M purchase of Shipt buys time and talent

With two major acquisitions this year, Target massively expanded its same-day delivery fulfillment capabilities. Is this what finally gives its grocery business a boost?

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 19, 2017

How the GOP tax overhaul could affect retail

Congress is expected to pass tax legislation this week. Here's a cheat sheet for what it means for retailers, grocers and other businesses.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 18, 2017