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

Explore the Trendline➔

How personalization shapes the retail industry

As consumer data becomes more readily available, a host of new opportunities have opened up for retailers that want to tap into shopper data.

By Retail Dive staff

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

Gen Z goes to college: How to win this back-to-school shopper

The largest generation in U.S. history is now in college, and retailers hoping to appeal to these digital natives need a different strategy than for millennials.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 8, 2017

Micro-influencer marketing not worth the cost

A new study by Markerly finds that popular influencers get more engagements per dollar and might be a better investment.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 8, 2017

Alibaba, Marriott teaming up to court travelers

The travel industry is an important growth opportunity in light of the estimated 700 million trips that China's travelers are expected to take over the next five years, the companies said.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 8, 2017

Appear Here, Square host competition for pop-up store space

Entrepreneurs have the chance to fast-track their ideas from concept to storefront, with three winners receiving a two-week stint on a major shopping street.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2017

Study: Teen retailers see more offline engagement than online

Though they may lack in online buzz, many of Engagement Labs' top ten teen retailers — including Old Navy and H&M — rank highly on sentiment both online and off. 

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 7, 2017

Will Spark ignite Amazon as a social media leader? Just maybe

Amazon's launch of an in-app news feed could set the groundwork for a deeper push into social media and open up new advertising opportunities. 

By Chantal Tode • Aug. 7, 2017

Many shoppers ‘eager’ to use virtual reality tools

A handful of retailers have embraced virtually reality tools for marketing, and a new study shows consumers may be ready to embrace them, too.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 6, 2017

Report: Online spending jumps 14% and outpaces traffic

Consumer online spending jumped as mobile took more share with 57% of e-commerce sales and shoppers spent more per visit. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 6, 2017

Study: Social media influences purchases across generations

While millennials are the most likely to be influenced by the platform, Gen X and Baby Boomers also make social media-influenced purchases.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 4, 2017

Timberland debuts new 'Tree Lab' concept store

The brand is dipping its toe into experiential retail with a new format that features revolving collections and an emphasis on street style. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 4, 2017

Study: Retailers see promise in AI

Retailers are automating customer service, but that may not mean much without integrating artificial intelligence.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Wayfair amps up AR with new app feature

Use of augmented reality in retailer apps takes another step forward with the rollout of WayfairView in the newly-released Asus smartphone.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Uniqlo's newest US retail locations: vending machines

Each of the 10 machines is six feet tall with a limited selection of basics dispensed in boxes and cans. They also represent a pull-back of the retailer's U.S. expansion ambitions.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 3, 2017

Why back-to-school shopping matters more than ever in 2017

Some retailers will clean up — cough, cough, Amazon — but for others, it's do-or-die during back-to-school shopping season.

By Laura Heller • Aug. 3, 2017

Wedding registry startup Zola partners with Backcountry

The partnership comes as the outdoor gift category has grown 20% and the millennial penchant for experiences over stuff dovetails with the rising number of millennial marriages.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 3, 2017

Boxed closing in on 'autonomous shopping'

Boxed is ready to do your shopping for you, with two new features that use machine learning to predict and act upon customer's perceived product needs.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 2, 2017

Study: Prime week spiked mobile purchases for other retailers

While non-Amazon shopping apps took a hit on Prime Day itself, the day after saw a 70% surge in mobile app purchases.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 2, 2017

Shopkick pivots, offers rewards for mobile shopping on Boxed, eBay

Groupon and Spring are also early partners as the in-store program rewards browsing and buying on smartphones for the first time. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 2, 2017

Tuft & Needle taps Amazon tech for new Seattle store

Many online sellers struggle with how much they should let Amazon take control of their sales and inventory, but Tuft & Needle is counting on the e-commerce giant for brick-and-mortar in-store tech and fulfillment.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 1, 2017

Study: 72% of coupons used in 2016 affected shopping behavior

The majority of consumers would try a new product if they had a coupon for it, and 58% would abandon their regular brand for a coupon.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 1, 2017

Study: Gen Z seeks more brand interaction

Members of the young generation don't just want to buy products — they want to be a part of the creative process that develops and markets them too.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 1, 2017