Technology

Target to roll out dedicated Apple shops inside 17 locations

The recent announcement is the latest shop-in-shop partnership the retailer has made following similar deals with Ulta and Disney. 

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 25, 2021

Shippo raises $45M to fuel expansion

Amid the e-commerce spike, the shipping technology startup wants to facilitate Amazon-level deliveries for other marketplaces.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 24, 2021

Opinion

Top 7 trends in retail digital transformation and innovation for 2021

From contactless services to cost optimization strategies, retailers are building adaptable business models in response to COVID-19, writes Gartner's Kelsie Marian.

By Kelsie Marian • Feb. 24, 2021

Klarna, Cosmopolitan co-host virtual shopping event

This year's "Hauliday" event features a new livestream shopping element following a period of growth for Klarna.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 23, 2021

Essie, ModiFace debut AR nail polish try-on tool

Unlike many virtual testing tools, Essie's does not require the customer to download an app to use it.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 22, 2021

Walmart says its automated supply chain is 'ready to scale'

There's a limit to how much the retailer can pick, fulfill and ship from stores, the CEO said. Walmart is banking on automation to change that.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 22, 2021

Standard Cognition hits $1B valuation with $150M investment

The autonomous checkout tech company plans to use the new funding to fuel its goal of reaching 50,000 stores in the next five years.

By Sam Silverstein • Feb. 19, 2021

Locus Robotics raises $150M

With more online shopping and social distancing requirements in warehouses, retailers are looking to robotics to meet greater demand.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2021

Livestream shopping platform Talkshoplive raises $3M

Other companies have been experimenting with livestream commerce to connect with homebound consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2021

Want a pandemic-friendly way to try on makeup? There's an AR solution for that.

Gone are the days where product testers are displayed in beauty aisles as more brands leverage the use of augmented reality.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 17, 2021

Perfect Corp. releases AR eyewear try-on tool

The beauty tech company continues to create testing technology and recently raised capital.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 11, 2021

Forrester: Few brands can anticipate and act on consumer needs

Gathering customer data can bolster a quick response, but many companies still rely on manual collection and few firms automatically update existing data. 

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 10, 2021

Retail tech startup Tulip launches fulfillment tool

As retailers look for more convenient services to offer, the company wants to help retailers manage, track and deliver online orders directly from stores.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 09, 2021

Home Depot opens automated Dallas fulfillment center with hydrogen-powered forklifts

The facility is part of the retailer's $1.2 billion supply chain investment and includes six miles of mechanized lines. 

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 08, 2021

Rebag launches image recognition tech for luxury bag pricing

The new artificial intelligence tool allows users to scan and assess the resale value of a handbag instantly. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 04, 2021

Nike releases hands-free Go FlyEase sneaker

The athletics retailer wants to serve "the broadest range of active lifestyles possible." 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 04, 2021

Walmart acquires Thunder ad tech as it preps self-serve display portal

The platform could make advertising on Walmart properties more accessible to small brands, an important step in the retailer's race to catch up with Amazon.

By Peter Adams • Feb. 04, 2021

Deep Dive

What does a government reckoning with Google and Facebook mean for retail?

For many, the tech giants are key to customer acquisition online, and they dominate the market for digital advertising, making them all but unavoidable for retailers. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Feb. 04, 2021

QVC launches livestream shopping channel on YouTube TV

The shopping network is now available on streaming services with a total of 8 million subscribers, including through Hulu + Live TV and AT&T TV.

By Maria Monteros • Feb. 01, 2021

Sponsored by TaxJar

How Pit Viper got Instagram famous and then sales tax compliant

Fast eCommerce growth means more sales tax responsibilities, so finding the right sales tax compliance partner and solution is essential.

Nike store plots virtual outdoor adventure with mobile tech

QR codes, AR and geofencing are used in an in-store experience that is designed to keep COVID-19 precautions in mind.

By Peter Adams • Jan. 29, 2021

BuyBuy Baby debuts 3D nursery design tool

The feature joins a host of other digital-first shopping tools aimed at millennial and Gen Z parents. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 28, 2021

Walmart will add automated micro-fulfillment to dozens of stores

The retailer is also adding automated drive-thru pickup points at select stores that allow shoppers to drive up, scan a code and collect their order.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 28, 2021

Amazon to grow its Boston tech hub, add 3K jobs

The e-commerce giant is expanding its presence in the city, building on plans for growth at several other of its tech hubs as well.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 27, 2021

Pick speed improves when AR replaces paper: study

The research suggests that some of the main benefits of the technology could be in training new workers and getting them up to speed more quickly.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 27, 2021