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

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

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

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