Technology


  • A Dollar Tree store with a large green and white sign above the entrance, located in a shopping center. The building has a beige exterior with green trim and large windows displaying promotional signs. Several parked cars are visible in the foreground, and a leafless tree stands on the left side of the image under a clear blue sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Alamy
    Image attribution tooltip

    Dollar Tree makes distribution, tech upgrades

    As part of its supply chain modernization efforts, the retailer is replacing its legacy systems with AI-powered platforms.

    By Kelly Stroh • April 1, 2026
  • Photo of the black exterior of a New Balance store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by New Balance
    Image attribution tooltip

    New Balance partners with Kizik’s parent company for hands-free tech

    The licensing deal with HandsFree Labs will bring slip-in sneakers to New Balance customers by next year.

    By Howard Ruben • March 31, 2026
  • Trendline

    How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

    More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • People walking in a mall near a Macy's department store at the holidays
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Macy’s introduces AI-powered shopping assistant

    After an initial dark launch, Ask Macy’s helps users discover brands and receive personalized product recommendations. 

    By March 31, 2026
  • Pamela Anderson poses on set for Aerie's "100% Aerie Real" campaign.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Aerie
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Aerie is pushing back against AI content with Pamela Anderson

    Chief marketer Stacey McCormick explains how the brand is spreading the word around its October pledge against using AI-generated bodies in its marketing.

    By Jessica Hammers • March 31, 2026
  • Barbie Cameron, Max Magni and Romaine Bostick at Shoptalk Spring 2026.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Shoptalk
    Image attribution tooltip

    Retail leaders on embracing AI: ‘We have to keep trying things’

    The theme of Shoptalk Spring was “Retail in the Age of AI.” Executives had strong opinions on the matter.

    By , March 30, 2026
  • The Home Depot Chief Information Officer Angie Brown and Executive Vice President of Customer Experience Jordan Broggi speaking on a panel at Shoptalk Spring in Las Vegas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Shoptalk
    Image attribution tooltip

    In the age of AI, Home Depot’s stores have ‘never been more relevant’

    While the retailer has been ramping up its AI-powered offerings, it aims to provide a frictionless experience across a customer’s shopping journey, wherever that may be.

    By March 27, 2026
  • David's Bridal opens a store in Naperville, Illinois.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of David's Bridal
    Image attribution tooltip

    David’s Bridal reshapes C-suite for the AI era

    The retailer named a CTO, chief global transformation and operations officer, and is on the hunt for its next CFO.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 26, 2026
  • A lit-up "Sephora" sign in white letters, with a small black "Sephora" sign jutting out below.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Sephora launches app in ChatGPT

    The AI-enhanced experience will give customers advice and help them discover products, according to Global Chief Digital Officer Anca Marola. 

    By March 26, 2026
  • A screen with a person and product images on it.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Puma
    Image attribution tooltip

    Puma debuts AI concierge at Las Vegas store

    A multilingual assistant in a large digital display will automatically detect the language a shopper speaks and answer their questions about products.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 26, 2026
  • A boot display in Tecovas' SoHo flagship in New York City
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Tecovas
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Tecovas is leveraging AI to improve the store experience

    The boot brand is using the tech to help with inventory replenishment and allocation, and foster better interactions between associates and customers.

    By March 26, 2026
  • A person wearing sunglasses pushes a baby in a store cart.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart brings Sparky to ChatGPT as OpenAI rethinks Instant Checkout

    OpenAI is pivoting away from handling purchases after its initial efforts failed to provide enough flexibility.

    By March 25, 2026
  • Sven Gerjets talks with Gabrielle Fonrouge at Shoptalk Las Vegas 2026.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Shoptalk
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Gap Inc. is ‘leaning in’ to AI to elevate online shopping

    The apparel retailer is accelerating its digital experience with two new partnerships, CTO Sven Gerjets told an audience at Shoptalk.

    By March 25, 2026
  • A screenshot of a Home Depot member hub showing recent orders and rewards points.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Retrieved from Home Depot on March 23, 2026
    Image attribution tooltip

    The Home Depot beefs up digital shopping experience for pros

    As it pursues home improvement professionals, the retailer is enhancing the online experience with tools for better project management.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 24, 2026
  • Two customers speaking with an employee at a flooring store
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by DataXstream
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sponsored by DataXstream

    The order management imperative: How outdated order management is holding you back and what you can do about it

    Retail growth starts with fixing order management.

    March 23, 2026
  • Meta flagship store in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Meta
    Image attribution tooltip

    Meta bets on NYC with flagship

    Meta is making its Fifth Avenue retail pop-up location permanent by signing a 10-year lease on the space.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 19, 2026
  • A man sits in front of a computer with a hand on his head.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Half of consumers prefer brands that don’t use generative AI, Gartner finds

    Consumers who are ambivalent or distrust the technology may walk away if they feel forced to use AI, one analyst said.

    By Bryan Wassel • March 18, 2026
  • A person holds a credit card and sits with a laptop on her lap. The screen is open to show a shopping website.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    E-commerce retailers plan hefty investments in agentic commerce, study finds

    Top applications include Al-powered product discovery, Al chatbots and personalized recommendations.

    By Kristen Doerer • March 18, 2026
  • A close-up of a digital price tag.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walmart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Grocers face state and federal lawmakers’ scrutiny over ‘surveillance’ pricing

    A slew of recently introduced bills aim to restrict how retailers use consumer data to make pricing decisions and some even ban electronic shelf labels.

    By Peyton Bigora , Catherine Douglas Moran • March 18, 2026
  • The exterior of Ernesta's showroom in Bethesda, Maryland.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Ernesta
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ernesta secures $20M to fuel store expansion

    The DTC rug brand plans to use the fresh capital to expand its brick-and-mortar footprint and improve its technology platform.

    By Howard Ruben • March 17, 2026
  • A rental brand's fulfillment center with a racks of clothes.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Nuuly
    Image attribution tooltip

    Urban Outfitters Inc. builds out second phase of automation in Missouri facility

    The distribution center, which supports its Nuuly rental brand, will accelerate its digital business and create gains in delivery and logistics.

    By Alejandra Carranza • March 16, 2026
  • An orange and white Ulta Beauty storefront with a tree in front
    Image attribution tooltip
    Dani James/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Ulta to launch on TikTok Shop with curated assortment

    The beauty retailer's Q4 net sales grew nearly 12%, though industry analysts questioned the retailer's "softer" fiscal 2026 comp guidance.

    By March 13, 2026
  • An Amazon Prime delivery being made
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Amazon
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Amazon notches a win against Perplexity, Reebok reenters soccer

    The e-commerce giant got a temporary order blocking access for Perplexity’s AI shopping agents, while the athletics brand signed two professional soccer players.

    By Retail Dive Staff • March 13, 2026
  • A white truck is parked in front of a Lowe's store on a clear, bright day.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Lowe’s tailors its AI-backed Mylow to different customers

    The home improvement retailer gets about a million questions a month between Mylow and Mylow Companion, with customer inquiries ranging in terms of expertise and needs.

    By March 12, 2026
  • A person uses an AI chatbot on a smartphone while sitting in front of a computer
    Image attribution tooltip
    Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s essential for AI shopping assistant success

    The biggest risk isn’t falling behind on deployment — it’s deploying before the organization is ready, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • March 12, 2026
  • Two shoppers leave a Best Buy store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Best Buy wants to be at the forefront of agentic AI discovery

    “As agentic commerce matures, we want to serve our customers in new ways, both on and off of platforms,” CEO Corie Barry said.

    By Bryan Wassel • March 10, 2026