Survey: Digital transformation 2017's top priority for many retailers

Just over 50% of respondents have either not defined or not started implementing a digital transformation strategy, though progress varies by region.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 23, 2017

How retailers can survive social media controversy in the age of Trump

Consumers have seemingly split into two groups —  “them” and “us” — and emotions are running higher than ever before. Experts share how brands can navigate this increasingly sensitive landscape.

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 23, 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

Target introduces its own private-label smart lamp

The lamp is sold in the Open House section at San Francisco’s Metreon shopping center, near where the retailer created Open House in 2015 to showcase Internet of Things devices.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2017

Costco, BJ's, Sam's Club: Why millennials love clubbing

Young parents with money to spend are the "center of the bullseye" for the large membership-based retailers.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 22, 2017

Apple pivots marketing to focus on digital, regional efforts

The tech giant is restructuring its agency relationship to reflect the new approach.

By David Kirkpatrick • Feb. 22, 2017

Retailers to host midnight 'Star Wars' event to re-awaken merchandise force

"Star Wars: The Last Jedi"-inspired toys, collectibles, books and apparel go on sale at midnight on Sept. 1, with retailers opening for a weekend-long celebration.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 17, 2017

Wal-Mart sued over questions of private label craft beer authenticity

The suit alleges that the retailer intended to deceive customers into buying a higher-priced product they think is craft beer produced by a small U.S. brewer.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 15, 2017

Marketplace startup StockX draws celebrity-laden $6M funding round

Mark Wahlberg, Eminem, Steve Case, Scooter Braun, DJ Skee and Ron Conway have invested in the self-described online “stock market of things.”

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 15, 2017

Etsy to roll out craft supplies marketplace to sell to merchants

The crafts site aims to launch the new marketplace with at least 8 million craft supplies products available, compared to around 33,000 at many big-box retailers.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 14, 2017

Has Amazon outgrown its 'e-commerce giant' label?

With forays into web and advertising services, original video content and AI-driven hardware, the business these days is about so much more than buying stuff.

By David Kirkpatrick • Feb. 14, 2017

Retailers can't escape Trump-related turmoil

Sears clarifies it still sells Trump-branded items on its marketplace. Meanwhile, Burlington joins growing list of retailers that have pulled the plug on the products.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 14, 2017

Crate and Barrel adopts MicroStrategy software to boost analytics game

The MicroStrategy 10 platform offers in-store staffers real-time access to data mining, business intelligence reports created on-demand and other capabilities.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 13, 2017

Nike launches equality campaign driven by LeBron, Serena

The new initiative, timed to coincide with February's Black History Month as well as recent Nike partnerships with community-driven organizations, includes a film as well as social media, billboard and poster promotions.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 12, 2017

Pinterest deepens retail integrations with new visual search tech

A second new feature, "Shop the Look," lets users track down and purchase items they've seen in Pins. 

By David Kirkpatrick and Peter Adams • Feb. 10, 2017

L.L. Bean rethinking signature shipping, returns policy

The retailer is contemplating major changes that could impact its brand, including revoking the return and shipping policies that have given the company a glow of friendly customer service.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 10, 2017

Amazon launches free smart-home consultations to boost Echo sales

The e-commerce giant has good reason for this kind of concerted effort to get connected products into customers’ homes: Its Alexa-enabled devices are an increasingly vital shopping channel.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 9, 2017

Facebook giving up on Oculus VR demos at 200 Best Buy stores

Stores no longer offering virtual reality demonstrations will continue to sell the Oculus Rift headset and accompanying touch controllers, the electronics retailer said.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 8, 2017

Mastercard rolls out experiential record store, virtual engagement for Grammys

The promotion, highlighted by the hashtag #ThankTheFans, requires a $1 Masterpass purchase to unlock special offers.

By David Kirkpatrick • Feb. 8, 2017

Report: Store closures attract new shoppers, steal market share from rivals

New consumer demographics flock to closeout sales at Macy’s and Kmart locations in search of deep discounts, meaning competing retailers must wait months before they see a boost in foot traffic to their stores.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 8, 2017

Saving the sale: New ideas for averting cart abandonment

Retailers lose trillions of dollars each year to the scourge of abandoned online shopping carts. But new weapons are helping merchants turn lost sales into wins.  

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

Abercombie's new store concept spotlights customer experience, dumps heavy perfume

Interiors will feature cork, bronze, galvanized steel, concrete, vegan leather, wood and marble, complete with a “lighter, cleaner, gender-neutral fragrance.”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 7, 2017

Nike drafts Air Jordan to boost its golf game

The sports apparel giant is repurposing its Air Jordan 1 Retro High as a golf shoe, about 33 years after the design debuted.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 6, 2017

Google, H&M's Ivyrevel team on app to design data-driven dresses

The Android app leverages Google’s Awareness API and Snapshot API to discover and collect lifestyle insight to come up with apparel inspired by the consumer's activities and habits.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 6, 2017

GNC mulling lawsuit against Fox over yanked Super Bowl ad

The 30-second spot — which reportedly cost the supplements retailer $5 million — was intended to be the latest step in a major rebranding effort.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 5, 2017

NRF: Valentine's Day spending on decline after 2016 record high

The number of people planning to celebrate Valentine's Day has slid almost 10% over the last decade, from 63% in 2007 to 54% this year.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 5, 2017