Mobile Commerce

Circle K stores to pilot checkout-free technology

The c-store operator plans to begin a test of frictionless payment technology, similar to Amazon Go, at a location in Phoenix. 

By Sam Silverstein • Aug. 14, 2020

Consumers favor smartphones for back-to-school shopping, study finds

Shoppers are more budget-minded during the pandemic, with the portion of people planning to spend less than $500 growing to 86%.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Trendline

Direct to consumer

There's a lot happening in the direct-to-consumer space right now, and it's not going away anytime soon. 

By Retail Dive staff

Kroger is giving Apple Pay and Google Pay a test run

The grocer, which launched its own mobile payment program last year, wants to offer shoppers more contactless payment options.

By Jessica Dumont • Aug. 11, 2020

COVID-19 boosts contactless payment adoption: NRF

Retailers have increasingly provided contactless payment options, but are concerned about higher transaction fees associated with the services.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 10, 2020

Spin Live launches shoppable video service in Shopify's app store

A two-click process gives influencers access to products on a merchant's website that can be sold via shoppable videos.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 07, 2020

Macy's enlists influencers for its 'Style Crew'

The department store is integrating shoppable content, and new fashion and beauty buffs into its program.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 05, 2020

Burberry opens first 'Social Retail' store in China

The luxury retailer partnered with Tencent on a concept store that blends social media interactions with an in-store shopping experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 04, 2020

Deep Dive

Grocery apps get smart during the pandemic

Adoption has recently skyrocketed, and retailers are considering how to update mobile platforms that have become a critical part of the store experience.

By Jessica Dumont • Aug. 04, 2020

PetSmart gamifies reptile adoption with Snapchat AR quiz

An immersive lens includes a discount on a pet reptile to drive store foot traffic, which rose during the pandemic's early days as people stockpiled supplies.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 03, 2020

CVS to offer Venmo, PayPal QR codes in stores

Other platforms, like WhatsApp and Amazon, have introduced QR codes for merchants, too.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Aug. 03, 2020

Gen Z, millennials drive growth in mobile video during pandemic, Snap study says

Nearly three quarters of young consumers said they watched more video on their smartphones this year than in 2019, according to the report.

By Robert Williams • July 31, 2020

Shopify to offer installment payments through Affirm

Merchants will be paid the full purchase price upfront, while Affirm will handle payment collection for customers using the option.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 28, 2020

Buy on Google to go commission free

At a time when more consumers are shopping online, the tech giant said it aims to make e-commerce more "accessible" for retailers of all sizes.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 28, 2020

DSW's debut hashtag challenge on TikTok racks up 1.3B views

The shoe retailer enlisted five influencers to promote the #TooManyShoes challenge on the popular social video app.

By Robert Williams • July 28, 2020

Visual search startup Shnap launches on mobile, Chrome

The platform, which uses artificial intelligence to match consumers' images to products, aims to drive traffic and sales for its partner retailers. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 22, 2020

Order from your inbox? Walmart and Yahoo team up on grocery

Yahoo Mail users will now be able to browse items, add them to their carts and check out from their email using the iOS app or desktop site. 

By Jessica Dumont • July 22, 2020

Hollister enters shaky back-to-school period with campaign led by top TikTok talent

An effort featuring the D'Amelio sisters, Noah Pugliano and Bill Nye arrives amid uncertainty for both school reopenings and TikTok's future in the U.S.

By Peter Adams • July 21, 2020

Google introduces video shopping platform Shoploop

The technology is designed to demonstrate products to users in 90 seconds or less as companies push further into shoppable content. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 21, 2020

Shopify adds virtual shopping feature with Hero

The technology helps merchants connect store employees with their most loyal customers through video chats and text messaging.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

Target, L'Oréal, Ralph Lauren test Snapchat's new brand profile pages

The new feature gives marketers a permanent home to build a following and directly engage with app users.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

Instagram Shop launches with Facebook Pay at checkout

A centralized e-commerce hub will offer personalized recommendations, exclusive items and collections of products from brands and creators.

By Robert Williams • July 20, 2020

CVS launches spoken prescription tech for app users

Retail's drugstore segment continues to invest in technology as it pushes further into healthcare.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 16, 2020

Amazon's Dash Cart offers another version of checkout-free technology

The company's smart grocery cart, which automatically scans products and processes payment, will roll out at its Woodland Hills, California, grocery store.

By Jeff Wells • July 15, 2020

WhatsApp introduces QR codes for small businesses

The Facebook-owned platform also added catalog sharing to aid merchants as they reopen and expand online. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 14, 2020

Nike opens latest store concept: Nike Rise

The first of its kind opened in Guangzhou, China, on Thursday, and the retailer plans to expand it in 2021.

By Cara Salpini • July 10, 2020