How chat and voice tech are changing retail

New chat channels are emerging as a real-time alternative to e-mail, along with other technologies, but a comprehensive view matters most.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

Amazon puts Alexa skills behind subscription paywall

The e-commerce giant is loosening its leash on developers, letting them charge users via a subscription model for additional skill content.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

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

Facebook could relegate retailer posts to a separate feed

The social network is looking to calm fears over a test which, if implemented, would pull public page posts from the personal news feeds of its users.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

American Eagle's NYC concept lets students do laundry while shopping

The new store also includes amenities like a "jeans gallery," as well as a bar and lounge with a view of Union Square.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2017

Sears revives the Wish Book holiday catalog

Given its struggles, who could blame Sears for taking a trip back in time with the revival — in print and online — of the holiday-themed book. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2017

Google’s Showcase Shopping ads aim to lure shoppers early on

The format is available to all brands for the first time, enabling them to group related products to boost discoverability when shoppers search with broad terms.

By David Kirkpatrick , Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 25, 2017

Walmart reorganizes Home with a group president and new top exec for Hayneedle

Walmart is strengthening the home category with new leadership across all digital properties while one of those units, Hayneedle, gains an exec with a millennial-focused brand history.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

Lord & Taylor could be the anchor to Walmart's web mall

A partnership with the upscale department store could allow the big-box retailer to tap into a wealthier market, but it also stands to dilute the brand.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 24, 2017

Mastercard teams up with Saks to show the future of AR shopping

Two red-hot technologies — AR and eye-scanning for payment — were featured in a demonstration at fintech conference Money 20/20 this week.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

The definitive guide to generational marketing

A good marketer can kick it old school with the boomers and float the perfect hashtag to Gen Z — but what if it's time to get social with the boomers and bring Gen Zers into stores? Here's everything you need to know about marketing by generation.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 20, 2017

Amazon offers brands 'premium' product pages for $500K

Marketers willing to pay up can enhance product pages with wide-screen videos and interactive multi-media displays.

By David Kirkpatrick • Oct. 20, 2017

Millennials turn to Pinterest, Facebook for Halloween

Roughly 65% of millennials search social media for Halloween inspiration, looking for everything from decor to costumes, according to a study by Alliance Data.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

Walmart, JD.com reportedly integrating customer loyalty in China

In a challenge to Alibaba, the companies will also develop a program for JD.com to fulfill orders by relying on inventory from Walmart.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2017

85% of shoppers are going mobile for the holidays

Holiday shoppers are most receptive to specialized deals and offers on mobile, according to a study by YouAppi.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

Asos’ visual search drives ‘great engagement’

Visual search gains another convert, as the U.K. fashion retailer reports strong engagement with the capability just two months after launch, Digiday reports.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2017

The 91st Neiman Marcus Christmas Book is here

The department store, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary, first published its Christmas "book" in 1926 as a 16-page pamphlet sent as a Christmas card to its best customers.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 19, 2017

6 retailers that are forgotten — but not gone

Amazon hasn't killed them. They haven't been raptured in the "retail apocalypse." Nor are they trending online or in the media. But these retailers have staying power.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 16, 2017

Can data analytics predict store closures?

New approaches to big data analytics may help retailers make smarter decision about where to invest — and where not to.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 16, 2017

Pop-up vendor Appear Here grabs new investment

The company, which provides retailers with a pop-up space of their own, just drew a new investor as the strategy becomes increasingly popular.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 16, 2017

Whole Foods shutters '365' store in Washington

The decision was made before Amazon's acquisition of the organic grocery chain and raises questions about the success of the private label line.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 16, 2017

4 types of holiday shoppers marketers need to reach

Whether they're shopping early, late or all the time, there's a strategy to approaching each segment — and marketers should read up.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 13, 2017

Gen Z, millennials make up nearly half of Black Friday shoppers

The younger generations show up in force on the shopping day, but they also spend the least during the season, according to a recent report.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 13, 2017

Target unveils 'Stranger Things' merch ahead of season 2 premiere

The mass merchant is continuing to push for differentiated merchandise amid the fierce price war in grocery and consumables.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 13, 2017

Sam’s Club channels member feedback through the cloud

The warehouse retailer is using the cloud to give its associates quicker, easier access to data that could help customer experiences and potentially close sales.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 13, 2017

Target expands Google partnership with Express delivery and Voice

Target follows Walmart to Google as merchants scramble to make up ground in the race against Amazon's voice-assisted shopping. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 12, 2017