Why Best Buy is betting big on virtual reality

This holiday season, the electronics retailer is greatly expanding in-store Oculus Rift demonstrations. Is the VR market finally set for explosive growth?

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 6, 2016

Heading into holidays, Amazon and Google showdown plays out in ads

Google’s announcement of an AI-integrated home assistant yesterday followed Amazon’s launch of an enormous Alexa campaign.

By Peter Adams • Oct. 5, 2016

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

Kik eyes social shopping future with expanded bot support

Kik Interactive is building an in-app shopping market via concierge and influencer bots that are both branded and brand-agnostic.

By David Kirkpatrick • Oct. 5, 2016

Walgreens debuts Beauty Enthusiast loyalty rewards

Members will receive rewards points on purchases, as well as opportunities to receive free samples, exclusive promotions and new product information.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 5, 2016

Criteo acquires e-commerce ad exhange HookLogic for $250M

HookLogic partners with retailers including Wal-Mart, Target, Costco and Best Buy to sell sponsored ads that appear in product search results on their web pages.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 4, 2016

Why Casper got into bed with West Elm

The mattress phenomenon and the home furnishings retailer are hoping their partnership has all the makings of a sleeper hit.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 4, 2016

What retailers can learn from J.C. Penney's turnaround — and Lands' End's turn for the worse

Both J.C. Penney and Lands’ End have taken dramatic steps to reinvent their brands for a new era of retail. The similarities end there.

By Jason Ankeny • Oct. 3, 2016

Wal-Mart taps former Target agency Haworth for $900M media account

The world's largest retailer spent nearly $1 billion on measured media last year, according to market research firm Kantar Media.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2016

Target launches new website for tech startup pitches

The new web portal promises to help emerging companies more effectively communicate their concepts to the retail giant.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 29, 2016

Research: Conversion from paid Facebook campaigns rises for 68% of retailers

Retailers also noted increased conversion for paid Instagram efforts in a survey from the National Retail Federation and Forrester.

By David Kirkpatrick • Sept. 29, 2016

Sears offers Shop Your Way points to Uber riders, drivers

Sears Auto Centers also will serve as one of Uber's Preferred Maintenance Providers for its fleet of drivers, offering exclusive discounts and points. 

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 28, 2016

Report: Amazon Echo to use streaming music as loss leader

In a potential bid to move more Echo devices for the holidays, the company is undercutting the market with a subscription of $5 a month.

By David Kirkpatrick • Sept. 28, 2016

Report: Apple pushes ahead with plans for Echo-like device

If the digital personal assistant devices become popular, they could reshape how consumers shop online, play media and interact with internet-enabled technology in the home.

By Davide Savenije • Sept. 28, 2016

Old Navy names former exec as new CMO

Gap veteran Jamie Gersch comes back to the Old Navy brand after leaving for Charlotte Russe last year.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 28, 2016

Lowe's, Microsoft expand HoloLens AR pilot to more stores

The technology also offers new capabilities, including use of Microsoft's Cortana Intelligence Suite to analyze a customer's specific taste in decor and provide recommendations from a Pinterest board of relevant ideas.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 27, 2016

Why September is prime time to acquire mobile shoppers for the holidays

Back-to-school shopping season just ended, and the holidays are on the horizon. This quiet period is the perfect time for retailers to make noise on mobile.

By Jason Ankeny • Sept. 27, 2016

Best Buy's Ignite initiative spotlights startups in stores, online

A store in Silicon Valley already features a dedicated Ignite space with products from the program, including a selection of crowdfunded gadgets.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 26, 2016

Facebook tailors dynamic ads for brick and mortar

A new tool will hide ads for items that can’t be found on shelves, sparing the kind of disappointment that can turn off customers for good.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 21, 2016

Study: Half of consumers will complete holiday shopping by Thanksgiving

More than a quarter of respondents said they’ll be doing most of their holiday shopping even before Nov. 1 — up eight percentage points from 2015.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2016

H&M nixes plus sizes in NYC stores

The retailer is making room for home goods, beauty and sportswear, but it may be leaving money on the table by neglecting the growing special-size category.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 20, 2016

Will Lands' End sink or swim on Amazon?

Struggling Lands’ End has agreed to sell selected apparel via Amazon. Eight retail experts share their perspectives on the potential risks and rewards.

By Jason Ankeny • Sept. 15, 2016

Fanatics, NFL's Rams kick off on-demand delivery partnership with Uber

Los Angeles Rams fans can order Rams merchandise, signed memorabilia and game day food via the UberEATS LA tab of the Uber app.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 12, 2016

Banana Republic turns to fashion influencer Olivia Palermo for turnaround

A collection curated by Palermo will be instantly available after it's unveiled on the runway, a nod to today’s consumer demand for immediate access to new styles.

By Daphne Howland • Sept. 12, 2016

Office Depot, Pocket Points to reward students for staying off phones

The Pocket Points program gives college students discounts on school supplies if they steer clear of their mobile devices during class time.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 11, 2016

Facebook fashion bot promotes Tommy Hilfiger's Gigi Hadid line

The bot allows users to type questions or select pre-made queries, shop for clothing and access behind-the-scenes content from the collection’s runway show.

By Dan O'Shea • Sept. 11, 2016