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

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

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

Study: Rewarded ads 4.5x more likely to lead to in-app purchases

App users who engage with rewarded ads also spend four times as much.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 1, 2017

Lowe's builds up in-home assistance for DIY contest winners

The retailer's Upskill Project aims to boost customer confidence about tackling home improvements tasks — and make loyal customers at the same time.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 1, 2017

J.C. Penney and 'Project Runway' winner 'make it work' with new line

The department store is expanding its partnership with the reality show as it struggles to improve its apparel assortment and image. 

By Daphne Howland • July 31, 2017

Amazon Prime Day prompts decline in store visits

Several brick-and-mortar retail stores were quite a bit emptier than usual on Amazon Prime Day last month.

By Dan O'Shea • July 31, 2017

Limited Too to launch back-to-school pop-up

The tween brand is taking to the streets, literally, to boost sales for the season. 

By Cara Salpini • July 31, 2017

How mobile is changing back-to-school

Gen Z students and millennial parents comprise much of the back-to-school market, and having, or not having, a mobile strategy could make or break the season.

By Cara Salpini • July 31, 2017

Amazon is rolling out secure delivery hubs for multi-dwelling buildings

Looking to lock up ownership of the last few inches of delivery's last mile, Amazon is offering to install secure, coded delivery lockers in apartment and condo buildings.

By Dan O'Shea • July 30, 2017

Bon-Ton expands tech push with Zebra RFID system

Some 180 Bon-Ton-owned stores are getting RFID technology to help them manage inventory as the retailer continues to look to tech to help it out of the doldrums.

By Dan O'Shea • July 30, 2017

Best Buy unveils Dyson demo spaces in 90 stores

Dedicating space to high-tech machines from the appliance maker takes full advantage of the retailer's brick-and-mortar stores.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2017

Walmart's ASDA launches gift card marketplace

ASDA opens a new avenue to B2B dollars by creating an e-commerce site that sells gift cards in bulk.

By Dan O'Shea • July 27, 2017

Ray-Ban showcases RFID-enabled Smart Table

RFID isn't only for the supply chain: Ray-Ban shows how the technology can be used to power product displays that boost sales.

By Dan O'Shea • July 27, 2017

Study: Shopping apps ride Amazon Prime Day’s wave

The e-commerce giant's day-long sale had a positive effect on retail apps the entire week — except on Prime Day itself.

By Robert Williams • July 27, 2017

Target Twitter interactions drive up ‘brand love’ 11%

The big-box retailer used Promoted Tweets to drive an 8% increase in shopping intent among those who shop only once a month.

By Dan O'Shea • July 26, 2017

Study: 87% of retailers plan to use AI to drive customer engagement

Artificial intelligence is becoming a ubiquitous force in the industry, with many retailers using the tech to route customer service requests and develop product suggestions.

By Dan O'Shea • July 26, 2017

EBay rolls out image-driven shopping search tools

The e-commerce company is just the latest to join in on the push for image search tools. 

By Dan O'Shea • July 26, 2017

Shoppers have the answers, but brands need to ask the questions

Retailers no longer dictate trends, says Hannah Hale of Lucky Brand. It's time to shift from a "push" to a "pull" model by asking shoppers what they want.

By Hannah Hale • July 26, 2017

Study: Marketers struggle with personalized location-based ads

Often described as the "holy grail of marketing," location-based ads concern marketers due to unverified data and lack of third-party provider knowledge. 

By Robert Williams • July 26, 2017