Are hotels the new frontier in experiential retail?

West Elm, Shinola, Muji and others are eager to get into the hospitality business. Will they falter in an unfamiliar endeavor — or can these brand extensions create a retail experience that replaces the traditional flagship store?

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 3, 2017

Toys R Us launches ‘digital playground’ with AR app

The retailer, fresh from a Chapter 11 filing, is using augmented reality to bring the in-store experience to (virtual) life.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 3, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

70% of brands use Instagram influencers

Although the ROI of influencers has been hotly debated, L2 found they drive much higher engagement rates than do brand accounts.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 3, 2017

How Walmart is simplifying building cross-platform apps

The retailer recently debuted Electrode Native, a tool for streamlining mobile development that leverages Facebook's open source React Native.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 2, 2017

Decking the halls and creating the holiday mood

Brands often overlook the atmospheric elements of the in-store experience, but everything from music to fragrance to visuals can have a serious impact on how holiday shoppers feel while in stores — and how much they spend. 

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 29, 2017

Dynamic Action takes startup honors at Shop.org

Prescriptive analytics, which helps companies take an advised course of action on their wealth of data, may be set for its big retail moment.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 29, 2017

Dick’s scores another youth league partnership

The Pop Warner partnership, one of many youth leagues the sporting goods retailer has joined with, could help the retailer take on a competitive market.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 29, 2017

Amazon reimagines Echo and expands device family

The e-commerce giant announced six new, voice-enabled products, including a much-anticipated revamped version of the original Echo smart speaker.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 28, 2017

Retailers prep for the holidays with new e-commerce services

Radial meets the holiday rush head on with a new suite of services to help e-commerce retailers do more for their customers.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 28, 2017

REI, L.L. Bean rank among most 'human' businesses

Companies that act more human perform better than those who don’t, acquiring more new customers, increasing customer loyalty and even raising profits, according to a new study.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 28, 2017

Burberry uses Apple’s AR tech to engage app users

While other retailers are using augmented reality to sell their products, Burberry is using the tech to create a unique experience on its mobile app.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 27, 2017

New Macy's loyalty program nudges customers to spend more

By rewarding shoppers that spend, the department store retailer is trying to capitalize on the 10% of customers who account for half of its business.

By Ben Unglesbee • Sept. 27, 2017

Study: Cyber Monday now more popular than Black Friday

Analytics firm Euclid found that holiday shoppers are most excited about the online holiday this year as the popularity of e-commerce continues to grow.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 27, 2017

PredictSpring, M.Gemi launch store associate app

M.Gemi becomes the latest retailer to mobilize store associates with a new app that helps them assist customers face-to-face.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 27, 2017

2 Adidas marketing execs caught in college basketball bribery crackdown

Director of Global Sports Marketing James Gatto is among 10 individuals being charged by the U.S. Department of Justice. 

By David Kirkpatrick • Sept. 27, 2017

Target teams with Pinterest for visual search

It's been a big year for visual search, and the technology is taking another step into retailer's storefronts through the Target-Pinterest partnership.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 26, 2017

Gen Z wants more in-store tech

The youngest generation wants more AR, VR and "just walk out" tech, and they want them within the year, according to a new study.

By Cara Salpini • Sept. 26, 2017

Study: In-store shoppers want to read online reviews

Posting consumer ratings and reviews online may seem like opening Pandora's Box to some retailers, but it can help spur new traffic and customer loyalty, according to a new study.

By Erika Kincaid • Sept. 26, 2017

Lowe’s leverages Apple’s ARkit for new apps

The home improvement retailer will add two new AR tools to its app roster early October, including a virtual tape measure app.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 25, 2017

Bed, Bath & Beyond invests 40% of capex in digital efforts

The home goods retailer has seen digital sales growth and continues to invest on that front, despite overall struggles.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 25, 2017

Target sets $11 wages, aims for $15 minimum by 2020

The move may reflect an acknowledgement by the mass merchant that consumers frequent businesses that reflect their values.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2017

Survey: Live video chat moves into retail

The platform isn't just for social media anymore, as customers appear ready to engage with brands and sales people via this real-time format.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 25, 2017

Study: Influence replacing affluence as primary marketing driver

Retailers must find new ways to access customer data and offer personalized products to reach an increasingly fragmented consumer base.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2017

How DSW tied up mobile engagement with choose-your-own-ending ads

The shoe retailer's recent push into mobile-rich media ads includes a 'what would you do?' storyline and a tiltable lookbook. 

By Shane Schick • Sept. 25, 2017

BJ's aims to turn holiday party stress into sales

A study commissioned by the warehouse club retailer notes all the many woes of the holiday party host that the company hopes could be reasons to shop at its stores.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 25, 2017