Michaels launches AI shopping assistant

The retailer is positioning the Ask Mike tool as a way shoppers can move beyond keyword filtering and receive personalized recommendations. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 23, 2026

La-Z-Boy expands 3D cloud tech for product imagery

The technology means customers can see every product and configuration exactly as it will be built — replacing manual rendering production. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 23, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Retail's quest to improve the customer experience

From new store concepts to AI-enabled offerings, retailers are constantly shifting their approach to better cater to shopper needs.

By Retail Dive staff

Tractor Supply taps Instacart for same-day delivery

The partnership adds to various last-mile upgrades the retailer has deployed in recent months.

By Max Garland • July 23, 2026

Nike resets online distribution in ‘fragmented’ China market

Revenue in the region fell 12% in the brand’s most recent quarter and has been dragging down the company’s turnaround.

By Cara Salpini • July 22, 2026

J. Crew hires former Walmart e-commerce exec

After nearly a decade with the big-box retailer, Stacey Levitt is joining the apparel company as its executive vice president of e-commerce and digital experience. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 21, 2026

Instacart acquires shelf-scanning technology startup

The purchase of Arpalus gives it a system that allows workers to record product levels on store shelves using a smartphone app.

By Sam Silverstein • July 20, 2026

From season to sentiment: How the pace of consumer trends reshapes retail planning

Consumer trends are more complex than seasons. Here's how retailers are tracking them.

July 20, 2026

Ulta Beauty names Domino’s veteran as CTO

Kelly Garcia, who has been on the board since 2022, joins the retailer in the midst of a tech-driven strategy to drive growth and personalization.

By Paige Gross • July 17, 2026

Walmart bets on AI and digital twins to shape its supply chain strategy

The technology helps the retailer get products around the world, despite global conflict or weather challenges, Walmart's Indira Uppuluri said.

By Paige Gross • July 15, 2026

How Dollar Shave Club uses generative AI to unlock advertising creativity

Chief Brand and Innovation Officer Laura Higgins explains how the grooming brand is evolving its use of AI in marketing to reassert its brand voice.

By Chris Kelly • July 14, 2026

Perfect Corp. to go private

The tech company has entered into a merger agreement with ProjectNY, a business owned by Perfect Corp.’s CEO. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 14, 2026

Amazon announces 2026 holiday fulfillment fees, advises early shipping

The company's ongoing 3.5% fuel and logistics surcharge will apply to the peak season fees, which start Oct. 15.

By Max Garland • July 14, 2026

Amazon preps robotics-equipped sorting warehouse in Texas

The site will sit within the e-commerce giant’s fulfillment network and further expand its use of automation across the supply chain.

By Kelly Stroh • July 14, 2026

In customer service, third-party generative AI tools are beating brand chatbots

While consumers' use of third-party generative AI tools has doubled in the past year alone, company-provided chatbot usage hasn’t statistically increased since 2022, Gartner found.

By Kristen Doerer • July 13, 2026

After the click: Turning AI-referred shoppers into loyal customers

AI that truly assists creates loyalty. Without it, stores are discovered but quickly forgotten.

July 13, 2026

Meta introduces AI-powered room visualization feature

With the new Meta AI tool, users can see what real products look like in their spaces, compare options and buy items through the brands’ websites.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 9, 2026

CEOs fear they’re underinvesting in AI

More than half of chief executives are concerned their businesses will fall behind due to limitations in technology foundations, according to a new survey.

By Scarlett Evans • July 9, 2026

Are grocers making smart investments in back-end AI?

Retailers should lean into tech partnerships to alleviate operational pain in the short term, while laying the rails for agentic operations, experts said.

By Jeff Wells • July 9, 2026

Retailers plan to invest deeper in AI, cybersecurity this year

The majority of retailers already allocate more than $50 million annually to technology, while 28% spend between $100 million and $250 million a year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 8, 2026

Your ‘omnichannel’ media strategy is ignoring half the shopper journey

Commerce media's measurement problem isn't a secret. Brands know it. Retailers know it. And Fluent has the answer.

July 6, 2026

AI in retail is only as good as its data foundation

Agentic commerce needs clean, structured data to deliver ROI at scale

By Greg Brown, Chief Marketing Officer, Melissa • July 6, 2026

StockX expands with debut of used, vintage listings

StockX Listings uses AI photo analysis and pricing guidance so sellers can list products quickly. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 2, 2026

4 experts on how to make AI investments worthwhile

Leaders at CCW Las Vegas discussed the challenges of and strategies for cutting through AI hype, from understanding how costs scale to investing with customers in mind.

By Bryan Wassel • July 2, 2026

Stitch Fix expands AI image generation to improve personalization

With Stitch Fix Vision, users can now create photos of themselves on demand in recommended outfits. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • July 2, 2026

Adult women are driving toy industry growth

Meanwhile, social media is influencing the segment, fueled by ASMR content and unboxing videos. 

By Kaarin Moore • June 30, 2026