Technology

Walmart boosts shoppable videos with Tastemade cooking shows

Tastemade's "Struggle Meals" series lets viewers text an on-screen number to add suggested ingredients to a virtual shopping cart.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Walmart adds to its last-mile arsenal with acquisition of startup assets

The retailer will purchase select properties, including talent and technology, from peer-to-peer delivery firm JoyRun.

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 24, 2020

Study: Two-thirds of shoppers concerned about holiday data breaches

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced reluctant shoppers to spend online, but many remain concerned about cybersecurity risks.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2020

RadioShack brand acquired by new owner of Pier 1, Modell's IP

Retail Ecommerce Ventures has been on a buying spree of distressed retail intellectual property. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 19, 2020

Joann rolls out BOPIS tech that identifies order pickup time

The retailer introduced technology that gives a customer ETA on pickups and prioritizes fulfillment based on those arrival times.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2020

Nordstrom brings Santa visits virtual

Customers can video call with Santa, for a fee, or deliver letters to the department store's locations in person or via curbside pickup.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Amazon expands in-garage delivery to 4K cities

The company is also adding grocery options in five cities, which allows Prime members to receive orders from Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh to their garage.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 16, 2020

Walmart taps self-driving vehicle startup Cruise for autonomous deliveries

The collaboration is part of the mass merchant's effort to modernize deliveries and lessen environmental impact.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 12, 2020

Lululemon to sell Mirror devices in stores, add community features

The home workout platform, which the athletics retailer acquired in the midst of the pandemic, will be initially available at 18 stores this holiday season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 11, 2020

Nuro nets $500M in new funding

The autonomous delivery company is planning on a commercial rollout of its fully self-driving vehicle in the coming months. 

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 11, 2020

NBCUniversal ramps up shoppable content with new platform, PayPal deal

One Platform Commerce unifies the broadcaster's e-commerce efforts as consumers are shopping online and brands seek alternatives to pricey TV ads.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 10, 2020

Rite Aid leans on pharmacists in rebranding effort

The drugstore is also embracing its potential as a beauty retailer, placing beauty ambassadors in some stores with a "spa-like" environment.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 09, 2020

L'Oréal offers first line of virtual makeup for social media, video calls

As consumers stay connected via mobile, the company's AR filters let them sport digital looks on Instagram, Snapchat, Snap Camera and Google Duo.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 09, 2020

Alibaba, Richemont pour $1.1B into Farfetch

The move underscores China's importance to the luxury market and perhaps a newfound level of urgency for upscale brands to embrace digital.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 06, 2020

Amazon releases Dash Smart Shelf for consumers, small businesses

The smart shelf reordering system was released last year to aid independent companies, but may be useful to individuals seeking to make fewer store trips.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 05, 2020

Dior activates Snapchat e-commerce for new sneaker

The luxury brand showcases six styles of the men's sneakers in an AR experience that guides users to the point of sale.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 04, 2020

Amazon and Williams-Sonoma settle legal battle over IP

The home retailer and e-commerce giant reached an undisclosed agreement over a lawsuit that delved into Amazon's use of brand names on its site. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 04, 2020

Walmart ends aisle-scanning robot contract

The retailer is no longer working with Bossa Nova Robotics, reversing course on plans to roll out the company's shelf-scanning machines to 1,000 stores.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 03, 2020

Deep Dive

The decade of VC funding that shaped e-commerce and DTC brands

Direct to consumer might be the buzziest trend in retail over the past 10 years, but it's not where all the money's going.

By Cara Salpini • Nov. 03, 2020

Chico's shores up finances, digital operations amid store closures

With stricter attention to profitability, the company has permanently closed 28 locations this year and plans as many as 50 more. 

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 02, 2020

Saks Fifth Avenue relaunches website with emphasis on personalization

More robust shoppable content, and filters for fulfillment options like BOPIS, are a few of the features on the department store's new website.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 02, 2020

B8ta acquires retail-as-a-service startup Re:store

The deal comes after B8ta announced corporate layoffs during the early days of the pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 02, 2020

Last-mile tech firm Onfleet raises $14M as interest surges in delivery services

The company, which provides software to help retailers manage drivers and communications with customers, will use the funds to support expansion.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 02, 2020

Walmart launches new test stores to further blend tech and in-store ops

The prototype locations will allow the retailer to quickly experiment with ways to make fulfillment more efficient and move in-store inventory online. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 29, 2020

Estée Lauder lets Spotify listeners order samples on Google Home

The serum giveaway is part of a broader audio experience that includes customized playlists to accompany nighttime skincare rituals.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 29, 2020