Pendleton and Funko debut new concepts

Storied wool garment maker Pendleton and pop culture consumer products retailer Funko are debuting new stores in the Pacific Northwest this week. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 18, 2017

Data is the Key to Retail Evolution

More than ever, retailers need parity between in the insights they can get online versus in-the-store to holistically identify gaps in the customer experience, evaluate changes and assess convergence opportunities. The bottom line: in-store CX data is the necessary fuel for retailers to thrive in this new world.

By Matt Tilley • Aug. 18, 2017

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

Customer acquisition is the top challenge for retailers

A new study shows that acquiring new customers is the most imminent concern of retailers for 2017-2018.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 18, 2017

Survey: Consumers act on each other’s visual content

A new study suggest that photos and videos combined with product reviews from other consumers can help shoppers pull the trigger on buying decisions.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 17, 2017

Amazon expands payments for best Alexa developers

The e-commerce giant will provide rewards for top-performing and "engaging" voice apps across a number of categories. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 17, 2017

All digital solutions aren't created equal

Digital strategies must be tailored to each brand's needs, as customer connections are being prioritized over sales.

By Laura Heller • Aug. 17, 2017

Shopping apps rank among most-deleted

A new study shows that shopping apps rank highly on lists of both most-downloaded and most-deleted apps.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 16, 2017

Jo-Ann rebrands as it integrates new tech features

The fabric and craft retailer is focusing on the makers who buy its products as it integrates mobile, analytics and video content. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 16, 2017

Walgreens creates Center for Health & Wellbeing to host company research

The drug chain is giving customers access to more than 50 studies and reports produced in the past six years.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 15, 2017

From store to door: the power of location analytics

A spatial understanding of supply and demand affords retailers a unique view into the actual costs of providing delivery services on a customer-by-customer basis.

By Gary Sankary • Aug. 15, 2017

Vitamin Shoppe rolls out subscription services

"Spark Auto Delivery" — a challenge to Amazon Elements — includes free shipping, samples and returns, as well as consultations with certified nutritionists.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2017

Study: In-app ad spending to hit $201B by 2021

Mobile now accounts for 51% of total digital ad spend. 

By David Kirkpatrick • Aug. 14, 2017

It's Time for Marketing to Embrace the True You

The world is full of digital clues about who your customers are, where they go and where they spend money. The challenge and opportunity is to sense and understand these signals.

By Michelle Engle • Aug. 14, 2017

Study: Amazon tops in consumer trust and 'joy'

Thanks to its consistently high customer service, reliability, wide assortment and speedy delivery, Amazon earned the highest score on the Values Institute's 2017 most trusted brands survey.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2017

Mobile’s ‘next billion’ users to ditch text for voice and video

Chatting via e-mail and text may be on the way out, the Wall Street Journal reports.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

Modiface unveils virtual skin consultations

The company behind many recent augmented reality features has unveiled a virtual skin consultation capability for skin care brands.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

8 retailers to watch during back-to-school

If the end of the retail shakeout is in sight, we might see the first signs during back-to-school. But the season is also a time to watch retailers try new things, test new strategies and make themselves into students of a chaotic marketplace. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 11, 2017

Sephora launches members-only social platform

The "Beauty Insider Community" allows customers to search for their favorite looks and engage in beauty-focused group discussions.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 11, 2017

Pinterest helps brands engage shoppers

Pinners who engaged with an advertiser's content on the social network had a 40% larger shopping cart at checkout, according to a new study. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2017

'Rage Grades' aim to keep rage clicks in check

Rage clicking is a common user reaction to site performance problems and retail website operators are getting tools to understand it better.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Fossil still waiting on the smartwatch boom

Could smartwatches finally be ready for major market growth? Fossil, which is betting its future on wearables, sure hopes so.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Salesfloor connects associates with customers via mobile messaging

By integrating with major messaging platforms — namely Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat — Salesfloor could help retailers support many more customers on familiar platforms.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Study: 86% of CMOs plan to invest in AI, machine learning

Almost half will spend $50 million on the tech and 25% will shell out over $100 million, but marketers still struggle with the best ways to use AI.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 9, 2017

7 tips to manage Gen Z employees

Gen Z will soon dominate the workforce and retailers will need distinctly different management tools and styles to get the most from these workers, writes Salina Wuttke, senior director of marketing, North America at Deputy.

By Salina Wuttke • Aug. 9, 2017

Study: 20% of marketing e-mails don’t reach the inbox

Only 80% of commercial e-mails reach their intended targets, raising concerns for marketers who might be landing theirs in the spam folder.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2017