Technology

Gibson releases app with shopping, experiential features

As consumers stay home, the guitar brand is hoping to reach them with an app that offers musical education, purchasing and maintenance services.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 26, 2021

ThirdLove unveils 3D online fit quiz

"The Fitting Room" is a new version of its Fit Finder quiz, and uses data from that earlier version to inform fit and style recommendations.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 26, 2021

Pinterest expands AR try-on experience to eyeshadow

Sephora, Estée Lauder and Neutrogena were among the first brands to participate in the platform's AR shoppable try-on feature for lipstick last year.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 25, 2021

Nike pushes small-format expansion with new Nike Live store in Oregon

A location in the athletics retailer's birthplace comes after executives detailed plans over the summer for up to 200 small-format stores.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 22, 2021

Retail marketers invest in livestreams to establish shopping's 'next normal'

The tech to produce live shows and accept online orders gives brands a way to lift sales while fostering direct relationships with customers.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2021

'The most effective technology is technology that no one sees': Lowe's CEO

Coming out of a banner year, Marvin Ellison discusses how initiatives put in place years ago contributed to the retailer's success.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 21, 2021

Google Cloud introduces product discovery tools for retailers

With the pandemic shifting more shopping online, Google wants to help retailers deliver a highly customized experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 21, 2021

What launching a fintech startup means for Walmart

The big-box retailer's partnership with fintech investor Ribbit Capital signals a shift from earning consumer spending to managing it.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 21, 2021

Pinterest's new ad format automates personalized messaging

The new performance-driven format comes as Pinterest looks to support shopping-related behaviors on its platform. 

By Robert Williams • Jan. 20, 2021

Fashion apparel makes a comeback, focus on digital deepens, and other 2021 predictions

The pandemic, and recovery from it, will likely define the year as consumers look to refresh their wardrobes and retailers hold on to new practices that worked, analysts say.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 20, 2021

Costco is testing curbside pickup

After years of resisting the popular service, the club retailer is now offering it at three stores in New Mexico.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 20, 2021

How Dick's and Wayfair connect consumers with real-time inventory data

The pandemic upped the stakes for data accuracy, as well as the velocity and volume at which it needed to flow.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 19, 2021

Sponsored by TaxJar

Getting sales tax ready for 2021: Simplifying sales tax compliance for retail companies

Given the lost revenue from COVID-19, states may consider looking for other revenue streams in the form of sales tax collections. Learn about the six key considerations when it comes to sales tax compliance in an ever-changing economic landscape. 

Sponsored by EY

3 I's that could reframe the future of retail

Move beyond the traditional definitions of customer centricity and work to become truly integrated into the life of the customer.

Hudson to introduce Amazon's Just Walk Out tech in airport stores

The tech, which doesn't require shoppers to download an app, will first appear at Dallas Love Field Airport. Additional rollouts are planned for later this year. 

By Kaarin Vembar • Jan. 14, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery orders outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

Beauty tech company Perfect Corp. raises $50M

The developer of virtual beauty app YouCam Makeup will use the Series C funds to further invest in AI technology and global expansion.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 07, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 07, 2021

Organized retail crime costs retailers nearly $720K per $1B in sales: NRF

Though retailers want stricter laws to address the problem, they're also investing more in tech to combat organized criminals themselves.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 06, 2021

Amazon buys 11 planes to boost airfreight capacity

The aircraft purchases come at a time when airfreight procurement has become increasingly difficult, and e-commerce demand is soaring.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 06, 2021

EBay targets mobile shoppers with holiday AR sweepstakes

The online marketplace teamed with NBA star Anthony Davis to promote the web-based game and give away 500 pairs of collectible sneakers.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 05, 2021

Walmart boosts new advertisers on media network by 40%

A self-serve platform that launched in January is now responsible for half of the retail chain's ad revenue from sponsored products.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 22, 2020

Google launches AR beauty try-on tools in app

The tech giant teamed up with ModiFace and Perfect Corp. to allow consumers to virtually test cosmetics.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 21, 2020

Sam's Club equips its fulfillment operations with robotic pickers

The retailer has adopted the use of autonomous mobile robots in its new Southern California fulfillment center for e-commerce orders.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 17, 2020