How marketers can weather influencer marketing's messy puberty phase

A lack of structure, overcrowdedness, inflated expectations and, yes, opportunity are all apparent as the space booms.

By Peter Adams • May 15, 2017

Made.com tests live-chat feature with showroom employees

The U.K.-based e-commerce retailer is leveraging its brick-and-mortar retail assets to help close online sales. 

By Dan O'Shea • May 14, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Gen Z and the next-generation consumer

If there's anything retailers want more than financial stability right now, it's to understand Gen Z. 

By Retail Dive staff

Adidas sells TaylorMade, fading out of the golf market

The athletic retailer will spin off all of its golf brands to a private equity firm in a deal valued at $425 million.

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 2017

Amazon, Nike, Nordstrom lead the way in social media, word-of-mouth chatter

Victoria’s Secret, Adidas and Under Armour also made the top 10 list of retail and apparel brands that sparked shopper conversations, according to Engagement Lab’s latest TotalSocial rankings.

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 2017

Can the Echo Look accelerate Amazon's push for apparel dominance?

Amazon has a new pathway into the consumer's closet, but can the e-commerce giant win in apparel? Eight experts debate whether the latest Alexa-enabled device will do the trick.

By Corinne Ruff • May 10, 2017

Pinterest upgrades visual search tech with QR capabilities

The platform's Lens camera is also getting better at recognizing multiple objects at once.  

By Peter Adams • May 10, 2017

Starbucks drives 27% of customers to trial app via in-store QR codes

Overall, 60% of visitors with Snapchat scanned a bar code for quick web access to the coffeehouse chain’s app. 

By Chantal Tode • May 9, 2017

Aldo overhauls digital marketing with focus on engagement

The shoe retailer is transforming its website and mobile interface with a focus on engaging marketing over transactions.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Ink Cards pencils in Pinterest for Mother’s Day app install campaign

While the ad format is still relatively new to the social platform, results suggest costs are lower and the audience may be wider than expected.   

By Chantal Tode • May 8, 2017

Report: Forever 21 plots beauty buildout with Riley Rose stores

The fast-fashion retailer is betting on growth in the beauty segment by opening at least nine freestanding beauty stores under the new brand by the end of the year.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Gap opts for real people over models in diversity-minded campaign

The apparel retailer and agency Untitled Worldwide scoured grocery stores, malls and colleges to find 20 people to represent the brand this summer.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) • May 5, 2017

Best Buy, Vivint plug in to smart home space

The companies will soon offer smart home products at more than 400 Best Buy stores, as well as in-store expert advice, and design and installation services.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

IBM: Retailers, brands come up severely short on customer experience

Marketers are struggling the most in several areas that have the potential to be key differentiators. 

By David Kirkpatrick • May 4, 2017

Staples looks 'beyond retail' in new marketing campaign

"It's Pro Time" — only the fourth brand campaign in Staple's 31-year history — comes amid hard times for the office supplies retailer. 

By David Kirkpatrick • May 4, 2017

Ikea: What do shoppers want in artificial intelligence?

The Swedish retailer recently launched a survey asking consumers whether AI should be human-like, if it should be male, female or gender-neutral, and even if it should be religious.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Beauty marketers buck broader downward trends as digital innovation blooms

Millennials and makeup have a strong bond that beauty retailers and brands are cultivating through AR, AI and shoppable social media ads.

By Rachel Brown • May 3, 2017

Facebook tests mobile retail rewards feature

The new program allows users to scan a personalized QR code to receive benefits when purchasing items at participating brick-and-mortar stores.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Lululemon takes aim at reinventing the sports bra

The athletic apparel retailer's Enlite sports bra leverages scientific thinking about bra design and uses a proprietary lightweight fabric for high-performance activity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Amazon, eBay, Target and Google Maps ditch Apple Watch apps

The big brands' retreat from WatchOS support comes as consumer interest in smart watches wanes. 

By Chantal Tode • May 2, 2017

Crocs, Quicksilver leverage new SPS Commerce analytics tool

The new capability, as well as enhancements to its sourcing platform, combines retail point-of-sale and inventory data with external information across channels.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Meitu taps Bretman Rock to curate virtual makeup looks

The augmented reality app uses proprietary facial recognition to map users' features to offer precise and natural virtual makeup application.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Softbank software reprograms robot Pepper for customization

The new software suite was designed with the non-technical user in mind and will let businesses customize Pepper without the need for expensive technical overhead, development or prowess.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Tommy Hilfiger unveils European mobile app

The app features in-store item scanning, enhanced personalization using geo-fencing technology and the ability to shop from the brand’s Instagram feed.

By Dan O'Shea • April 27, 2017

Study: 89% of retailers will arm associates with mobile tech in next 3 years

About 84% of retailers will also use mobile point-of-sale systems in stores by 2020, according to new research from Boston Retail Partners.

By Dan O'Shea • April 27, 2017

Outdoor retailers slam White House review of national monuments

Patagonia, in particular, blasted the executive order rescinding protection of public lands, urging its customers to lobby against it and threatening legal action.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2017