Technology

  • A bright yellow sign against a blue roof says "Best Buy" in bold black letters.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    Best Buy Canada reportedly laying off 700

    The company's services could balance softening demand for consumer electronics, according to analysts.

    By • Jan. 27, 2023
  • A red Levi's tab sign against a bright blue sky.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Foot Locker faces privacy suit and Levi’s misquotes Mark Twain

    A lawsuit alleges the athletics retailer violated California’s privacy act. Meanwhile, Levi’s CEO Chip Bergh cited the author on why skinny jeans are not dead.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 27, 2023
  • Header Image Explore the Trendline➔
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    Shutterstock.com

    Trendline

    Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

    From drones to smart fitting rooms, to cashless purchases to virtual meditation, how the consumer engages with retailers continue to evolve.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • The Home Depot signage on a storefront entry, with a row of christmas trees in the front.
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Home Depot launches in-house app to prioritize employee tasks

    Sidekick, the machine learning-powered platform built in-house, is currently live at 600 stores.

    By Roberto Torres • Jan. 27, 2023
  • Mannequins flank a wispy decorative branch in a shop window that reads "Shop. Sell. Keep It Real."
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    The RealReal taps Neiman Marcus vet as CEO

    John Koryl most recently led digital strategy at Canadian Tire Corporation and takes the job eight months after founder Julie Wainwright’s abrupt exit.

    By • Jan. 26, 2023
  • Smartphone in person's hand
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    Courtesy of Shopreme
    Deep Dive

    Grocers weigh the pros and cons of scan-and-go

    Despite Wegmans’ decision to abandon the technology last year, other retailers continue to offer the convenience-focused service — and more are showing interest in it, industry officials said.

    By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 25, 2023
  • A person holds a mobile phone with a screen that has a vest on it.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images

    Mobile commerce is on the rise, but obstacles remain

    A third of U.S. consumers who don’t shop on their phones said that’s because it’s easier to shop on a computer, Forrester found.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 25, 2023
  • People walk around in front of Saks Fifth Avenue and Hudson's Bay department stores.
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    "Hudson's Bay" by Jeff Hitchcock is licensed under CC BY 2.0

    E-retailers Saks, Saks Off 5th, The Bay resort to layoffs amid turmoil in tech

    In 2021, HBC split the online and brick-and-mortar operations of its companies to gain financial and talent advantages. Now, all three spinoffs are cutting jobs.

    By • Jan. 25, 2023
  • A white truck is parked in front of a Lowe's store on a clear, bright day.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    How a Black Friday website crash prepped Lowe’s for the pandemic

    CEO Marvin Ellison said the 2018 incident spurred changes that paid off two years later when the retailer saw a huge surge in demand.

    By • Jan. 25, 2023
  • The Google logo adorns the outside of their NYC office Google Building 8510 at 85 10th Ave on June 3, 2019
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images

    DOJ slams Google to end ‘monopolistic grip’ on digital advertising

    Following a previous antitrust suit focused on search, the DOJ now has its sights set on the firm’s alleged “stranglehold” on the ad-tech ecosystem. 

    By Chris Kelly • Jan. 25, 2023
  • Person in a wheelchair wearing a crossbody bag from the Jansport Adaptive Collection
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    Courtesy of Jansport

    JanSport introduces adaptive backpack collection

    The backpacking company modified its original models to meet the needs of those with limited mobility.

    By • Jan. 24, 2023
  • The curved banner of a Walmart store, the brand name in white letters and the characteristic yellow sunburst logo to the right, against a blue sky.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    Walmart launches dedicated e-commerce site for businesses

    Walmart Business aims to save time and money for small business owners who buy from the retailer to support their own businesses.

    By • Jan. 23, 2023
  • A red Levi's tab sign against a bright blue sky.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    Levi Strauss hires Nordstrom vet as chief digital officer

    Jason Gowans, who will report to Michelle Gass, will help grow the company’s direct-to-consumer business.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 23, 2023
  • Before and after photos of Target's upgraded produce section
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    Courtesy of Target

    5 ways Target is pushing customer-driven innovations in omnichannel, grocery

    Ease, joy and affordability are key pillars of the company's efforts to build on its “Targét” reputation, executives said at NRF’s Big Show.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 23, 2023
  • Female standing near hangers with brand wear and laughing during shopping
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    GaudiLab/Shutterstock.com

    Sponsored by Fyllo

    Retail media in real life: stores are the next big retail media channel

    Discover how retailers and brands can take the benefits of retail media in store.

    By Sumant Yeramilly • Jan. 23, 2023
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    Peshkov via Getty Images
    Sponsored by Bold Metrics

    3 ways AI can supercharge sizing to help apparel brands boost conversion, reduce returns and personalize the retail experience

    We highlight three key ways your apparel brand can leverage AI and machine learning to increase conversion and personalize retail both online and in stores.

    Jan. 23, 2023
  • Exterior sign for a GameStop store.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive

    GameStop lays off employees, plans to close Kentucky distribution center

    The retailer’s 630,000-square-foot Shepherdsville location is now listed as available for lease starting July 1. 

    By • Jan. 20, 2023
  • A transparent block on a blue sky background.
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    Courtesy of Syky

    Web3 fashion startup Syky raises $9.5M

    The company aims to entice shoppers with incentives tied to its non-fungible token.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 19, 2023
  • View inside the store during SHEIN X Art Discovery Project
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    Presley Ann via Getty Images

    Shein to add 1,000 more designers to its incubator program in 2023

    The fast-fashion retailer has brought in nearly 3,000 participants to its Shein X initiative, which helps fund them through the apparel creation process.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 19, 2023
  • A person in a black outfit leans back in a chair.
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    Courtesy of Farfetch

    Farfetch’s chief brand and growth officers exit

    At the same time, the company made several leadership appointments, including a president of Americas and a new CEO of its Browns business.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 19, 2023
  • Person with sunglasses walking down street in front of a building with a red and white logo
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

    Pinterest’s chief shopping officer moves to adviser role

    Julie Bornstein joined the company through its acquisition of her AI shopping platform The Yes in June.

    By • Jan. 19, 2023
  • Digital rendering of a virtual world
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    Courtesy of Digital Village

    L’Oréal’s VC fund makes first metaverse investment with Digital Village

    The beauty company is following the digital trend with a minority investment through its venture capital fund.

    By • Jan. 19, 2023
  • Products on store shelf
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    Courtesy of Google

    Google Cloud rolls out AI-driven inventory tech

    The system uses machine learning to automatically identify items on store shelves using images taken from multiple angles.

    By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 19, 2023
  • uniqlo storefront in new york city
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    Permission granted by Fast Retailing

    Uniqlo is banking on RFID tech to help drive international growth

    The retailer is counting on digital innovation to help drive store growth in North America and Europe, according to Fast Retailing CIO Takahiro Tambara.

    By • Jan. 18, 2023
  • Entrance of of a convenience store with shelves and refrigerators displaying snacks and beverages.
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    Permission granted by Delaware North
    Sponsored by Amazon

    Delaware North scores big wins by offering a fast, frictionless in-store experience

    Technology alleviates bottlenecks and creates a convenient alternative to traditional checkout.

    Jan. 17, 2023
  • An Under Armour storefront
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive

    Volumental tests shoe fitting technology with Under Armour ahead of global expansion

    The company claims that its technology reduces in-store returns and generates higher sales.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 12, 2023