Mobile Commerce

Smartphone shopping surged 25% to $3.6B on Black Friday, study finds

Mobile made up 40% of the day's overall online spending, while in-store and curbside pickup increased as consumers avoided in-store shopping.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 01, 2020

Facebook buys omnichannel customer service startup Kustomer for reported $1B

Kustomer's focus on supporting customers' online conversations with businesses advances Facebook's efforts to expand into social commerce.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 01, 2020

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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

Shopping apps hit record 2.8M installs on Black Friday: report

Companies spread out deals in the weeks leading up to Black Friday which resulted in a "surge" of first-time installs of retail apps. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 01, 2020

Francesca's launches app

The apparel retailer is moving forward with a new channel to engage shoppers as speculation over a possible bankruptcy lingers. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Nov. 30, 2020

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2020

Online sales, curbside and store pickup all surged as a sales event defined by the pandemic took shape. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 28, 2020

Black Friday 2020 online sales on pace to grow as much as 42%

While COVID-19 rages across the U.S., consumers are staying home — but still shopping. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 27, 2020

Walmart boosts shoppable videos with Tastemade cooking shows

Tastemade's "Struggle Meals" series lets viewers text an on-screen number to add suggested ingredients to a virtual shopping cart.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Study: Most retailers will boost ad spend on Facebook next year

Ninety-three percent of retail brands currently buy ads on the social network, Smarly.io found, despite a media boycott against it over the summer.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Walgreens revamps app, loyalty program

Mobile users can now chat with a pharmacist, book medical care and vaccination appointments and obtain real-time flu alerts. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Nov. 24, 2020

TJX retailers launch 'Carol for a Cause' holiday campaign

In an effort to raise money for Feeding America, the brands are encouraging consumers to use Instagram Reels to record videos of themselves caroling.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 23, 2020

Gap, H&M open mobile storefronts on Group Nine's new Swipe.Shop platform

The publisher of NowThis and Thrillist will provide 20 million impressions' worth of free ad space to 10 small businesses affected by the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 17, 2020

Best Buy taps Instacart for same-day deliveries

The platform will now also guarantee high-priced purchases delivered from the retailer.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Facebook debuts shoppable livestreams with Anne Klein

The social network kicked off a four-part "Celebrate the Holidays" series of live shopping events with the fashion company.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

5 ways retailers have adapted to a Black Friday unlike any other

Curbside sales, staggered discounts, websites that hold your place in line — retailers are reinventing Black Friday for a pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 16, 2020

Guitar Center looks to inspire music buffs with new social video series

A series featuring 25 musicians could help the retailer reach potential customers as it prepares for an unusual holiday season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 10, 2020

NBCUniversal ramps up shoppable content with new platform, PayPal deal

One Platform Commerce unifies the broadcaster's e-commerce efforts as consumers are shopping online and brands seek alternatives to pricey TV ads.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 10, 2020

Verishop debuts social shopping app

New features allow users and brands to upload photos and videos, tag products and shop content on their personal feeds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 10, 2020

L'Oréal offers first line of virtual makeup for social media, video calls

As consumers stay connected via mobile, the company's AR filters let them sport digital looks on Instagram, Snapchat, Snap Camera and Google Duo.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 09, 2020

Dior activates Snapchat e-commerce for new sneaker

The luxury brand showcases six styles of the men's sneakers in an AR experience that guides users to the point of sale.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 04, 2020

GameStop, Klarna team up on installment payments

The partnership is part of the gaming retailer's ongoing efforts to modernize its digital operations.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 03, 2020

Online holiday sales to reach $189B, Adobe says

E-commerce sales are expected to surpass $3 billion daily between Nov. 22 and Dec. 3. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 30, 2020

Under Armour to exit up to 3K wholesale doors, sell MyFitnessPal

The moves come as the retailer looks to shift to a more DTC-centered approach and drop undifferentiated partners.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 30, 2020

Shopify, TikTok partner on shoppable video ads

The collaboration will help Shopify's merchants advertise on the social media app. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 29, 2020

Walmart launches new test stores to further blend tech and in-store ops

The prototype locations will allow the retailer to quickly experiment with ways to make fulfillment more efficient and move in-store inventory online. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 29, 2020

Estée Lauder lets Spotify listeners order samples on Google Home

The serum giveaway is part of a broader audio experience that includes customized playlists to accompany nighttime skincare rituals.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 29, 2020