3 retail tech startups to watch

Innovations involving messaging, augmented reality and AI took center stage at RILA's Retail CEO Forum this week, earning three young companies awards.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2018

Study: Political polarization, social activism cause major shift in customer loyalty

Brand Keys found that the presidential election and its aftermath have created far more value-infused and complicated paths-to-purchase for consumers.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Gen Z and millennials

If there's anything retailers want more than financial stability right now, it's to understand Gen Z. 

By Retail Dive staff

Why Nike, Mars and others are taking influencer marketing in-house

More brands are shunning third parties and creating internal teams to gain greater control over campaigns and talent, according to a Digiday report.

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2018

Conversational Commerce: 5 trends to watch in 2018

The Retail Dive team huddled up in the podcast studio at NRF's Big Show to break down how the role of brands, technology and more will define the year ahead.  

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 22, 2018

Abercrombie & Fitch launches unisex kids line

The retailer's new "Everybody Collection" incorporates popular trends across genders, complete with a single size system.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2018

How retail omnichannel delivers a cohesive, seamless journey

Retail experiences can deliver a wow factor that can make buyers lives easier- further endearing them to a brand and increasing sales.  

Jan. 22, 2018

Retail Therapy: Balenciaga brings back the 80s with $195 scrunchie

As if that wasn’t enough, this week also delivered a $250 beer-concealing jacket and luxury outerwear for dogs.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 19, 2018

How retailers are avoiding the sixty-million dollar mistake

Retail may be recovering, but not every national brand has been able to keep pace.

By Devin Arnold • Jan. 19, 2018

12 retail execs share their goals for 2018

There are takeaways and tips aplenty from NRF's Big Show this week. Here, retail leaders share their thoughts and priorities for the year to come.

By Corinne Ruff , Laura Heller , Cara Salpini • Jan. 18, 2018

CPGs need emerging markets, e-commerce and partnerships in 2018

The rise of private labels is just one challenge facing consumer product goods companies in 2018, according to a new report from Deloitte.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2018

CES 2018 in review: The biggest takeaways for marketers

Missed the annual gadget fest? No problem. We've got the lowdown on what happened in Vegas.

By Shane Schick • Jan. 17, 2018

Just 4% of brands are marketing 'geniuses'

But even some of the brands with good scores — like Macy's and Nordstrom — are facing strong headwinds in other areas.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2018

How retailers are rethinking the consumer-brand relationship

Retailers ranging from Outdoor Voices to The Home Depot are making a deeper connection with their customers — and they're using social media and social good to do it.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 16, 2018

Study: Instagram influencer marketing jumped 198% in 2017

Coach, Nordstrom, Forever 21 and Lulus were some of the most active brands in the fashion and accessories category, which was the most popular industry group by posts with an #ad tag.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 16, 2018

CVS bans photo altering for in-store beauty brands

The drug store chain is also calling on brands such as Revlon, L'Oréal and Johnson & Johnson to follow the new standards. 

By Erica Sweeney • Jan. 16, 2018

Retailers embracing in-store mobile, but still lack support

Store employees are increasingly being given mobile devices for in-store use, but they may not have all the apps and support needed to be successful, according to a new study. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2018

Lacoste's US stores accept Alipay to target Chinese tourists

The sportswear brand is adding the popular payments platform to select stores.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 12, 2018

T-Mobile opens 5th 'signature store'

Tech demos and customer perks are a start, but more retailers need to start selling their brand's experience, according to Retail Prophet Doug Stephens.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2018

Facebook promises more community, fewer brand posts in significant shift

For marketers, the news means a reduction in reach on the social media network but could lead to higher-quality engagements. 

By Chantal Tode • Jan. 12, 2018

Retail Therapy: Ikea goes gaga for expecting mothers

In an attempt to target the "new parents" demographic, the Swedish retailer released an ad that gives soon-to-be-mothers a discount … but only if they pee on it.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 12, 2018

Sports retailers should court women and streetwear in 2018

Some changes will cost retailers sales in the short term, according to NPD Group VP Matt Powell, and the state of the sector will get worse before it gets better.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2018

5 ways to win with Gen Z shoppers

Causes, convenience and calls to action are helping brands successfully court the youngest demographic, writes Oded Edelman of Signet Jewelers. 

By Oded Edelman • Jan. 9, 2018

Retailers prepare for ‘the second coming of QR codes’

The technology is poised to grow, with 1.3 billion mobile QR code coupons redeemed last year and 5.3 billion expected by 2022, according to a new study from Juniper Research.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 9, 2018

Walmart could scoop up one of these 11 startups

There's plenty of speculation as to Amazon's next acquisition, but Walmart has needs too, and has shown a willingness to spend. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2018

Most consumers want retail and politics to mix

The benefits could be high for those that do take a stance on important issues, according to a new study.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 9, 2018