Mobile Commerce

Google Assistant debuts 'Continued Conversation' feature

The update allows for more natural conversation with Google's voice assistant — a feature that Amazon has been working on for Alexa as well.

By Dan Alaimo • June 22, 2018

Japan's Mercari marketplace app poised for US growth after IPO

A flea market app  that has been compared to eBay and Craigslist is poised to challenge both and more as it expands in the U.S. and raises more than $6 billion in an IPO. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 21, 2018

Dollar General testing mobile checkout in 10 stores

With its DG GO! scan-and-go app, the retailer may be the first in the extreme low-price segment to try out the technology.

By Dan Alaimo • June 21, 2018

Amazon brings Alexa to hotels

The company is making a long-anticipated foray into the hospitality market, with Alexa moving into the vast network of Marriott hotels.

By Dan O'Shea • June 20, 2018

Alibaba is updating 400 RT-Marts with tech

Alibaba is aggressively transforming hypermarkets with "New Retail" technology as Chinese retailers continue to out innovate U.S. merchants.

By Dan Alaimo • June 20, 2018

L'Oréal glamorizes AR tech with two-way beauty consultation

A new offering for the company's NYX Cosmetics brand unveiled at Cannes Lions lets a beauty professional virtually place products on a user's face through a smartphone.

By Chantal Tode • June 19, 2018

Google to invest $550M in JD.com in blow to Amazon, Alibaba

The tech giant follows in the footsteps of Walmart and China's Tencent, becoming the latest player to invest in juggernaut JD.com.

By Dan O'Shea • June 19, 2018

Too many ads, clunky websites turning off digital shoppers

Mobile, desktop and in-store customers agree that the biggest "retail nightmares" involve intrusive retail tactics and difficult processes, according to a new study. 

By Dan Alaimo • June 19, 2018

Walmart to debut high-tech Sam's Club format

The membership club's latest store includes a Scan & Go self-checkout and other tech capabilities, showing Walmart's willingness to innovate everywhere.

By Dan O'Shea • June 17, 2018

Survey: Fewer online merchants accept payments from Apple, Google

Retailers ramped up support for PayPal and Amex Express Checkout as ease of use and fraud detection were top challenges.

By Robert Williams • June 15, 2018

Report: Microsoft creating cashierless tech to battle Amazon Go

The tech giant could be emerging as a new 800-pound gorilla in the cashierless checkout technology market, according to Reuters.

By Dan O'Shea • June 14, 2018

Amazon dominates Father's Day digital advertising with 6B impressions, analysis finds

Desktop display ads were the most popular format, used by 73% of brands included in the analysis while mobile display ads  accounted for just 24%.

By Erica Sweeney • June 13, 2018

Instagram, Snapchat extend shopping actions to stories

Adidas and others are helping Instagram launch the product, while Snapchat is working with SeatGeek on a similar initiative.

By Erica Sweeney • June 13, 2018

Las Vegas mall gets a sassy AI chatbot

Jules, a chatty chatbot on Facebook Messenger, hopes to connect with younger shoppers at the Miracle Mile Shops on the Las Vegas Strip.

By Dan Alaimo • June 13, 2018

Rakuten acquires mobile pickup platform Curbside

The deal comes at a time when mobile ordering and pickup are becoming more popular, making the space competitive.

By Robert Williams • June 12, 2018

At Houzz, mobile augmented reality is fueling sales

More than 2 million shoppers have used the site's "View in My Room" app feature since the capability launched, co-founder and president Alon Cohen told IRCE attendees. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 12, 2018

Shopping apps poised for profitable 2018 after 54% growth

Retailers have a major opportunity in mobile marketing with shopping apps surging in popularity and profitability, according to a new study from Liftoff.

By Dan Alaimo • June 11, 2018

Retailers need to meet customers where they are

Stores are just one of many touchpoints on the map of a customer's shopping journey, according to a study released at IRCE.

By Dan O'Shea • June 07, 2018

Mobile will drive 72% of growth in online video ad spend

Mobile's share of the online video ad market will grow from 50% this year to 59% by 2023, according to a Forrester study.

By Robert Williams • June 07, 2018

Amazon makes Echo Look available to all

The company is rolling out the device amid rumors it is considering offering home insurance that would work through its connected devices.

By Dan Alaimo • June 07, 2018

Gravy says the price is right for mobile shopping game show

The company's nightly game show drives users to compete for discounts on a variety of products with limited supply.

By Dan O'Shea • June 05, 2018

Most retailers use mobile location to boost store traffic

New GDPR regulations have raised questions for vendors and marketers around the limitations of data collection.

By Robert Williams • June 05, 2018

Google Assistant edges ahead of Amazon Alexa in voice

Most U.S. consumers (70%) haven't used a voice-enabled digital assistant to find product information or make a purchase, according to a new study.

By Robert Williams • June 04, 2018

Shoppers eager for e-commerce benefits from AR and voice

Consumers are ready for tech advances that will make online shopping easier, according to a new survey from Adtaxi.

By Dan Alaimo • June 04, 2018