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

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

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

Bringing theatre back to retailing: How place, passion and personality boost customer engagement

Retailers are investing in physical stores as a way to surprise and delight customers. But brick and mortar requires much more than just a building with staff to compete against disruptive influences.

By Andy Morris • Feb. 2, 2017

Adidas, Finish Line and NFL's Josh Norman team on new shoe

Pro Bowl cornerback Norman is participating in exclusive digital and in-store content, including videos, blog posts and social media postings.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 1, 2017

NFL nixes GNC Super Bowl ad

The supplements retailer is in the midst of major rebranding, and the benefits of change, more so than its products, was the central message of its ad.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 1, 2017

Newegg online showcase sells products from Indiegogo-funded entrepreneurs

The retailer is planning to launch a page on its e-commerce site dedicated to showcasing products financed via crowdfunding campaigns.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2017

Macy's sells Frango chocolates business to Garrett Brands

The struggling retailer still plans to sell Frango products in the Frango Café at its State Street store in Chicago and at more than 350 additional Macy's locations.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2017

Starbucks rolls out remote voice ordering, new Alexa skill

The coffeehouse chain's customers may now order items by voice through devices powered by Amazon's Alexa digital assistant technology.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2017

Wal-Mart taps Tinseltown talent to craft its Oscars ads

The retailer drafted famous filmmakers Antoine Fuqua, Marc Forster and the team of Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg to helm its first Academy Awards ads.  

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 26, 2017

NRF: Consumers' Super Bowl spending to decline from 2016

Shoppers are expected to spend about $75 each on average on products related to pro football's biggest game, down from $82 each a year ago.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 26, 2017