Retailers tamp down shadow AI but struggle to oversee agentic sprawl

The use of AI agents is soaring in the retail sector, but visibility remains a major challenge, with regulated data at risk.

By Eric Geller • Sept. 24, 2026

Lowe’s debuts drone delivery pilot with Wing, DoorDash

The initial rollout at a North Carolina store involves over 100 SKUs and could later expand to other locations.

By Max Garland • Sept. 24, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

What's shaping the e-commerce landscape?

From pivots in digital strategies to challenges retailers must overcome with reverse logistics, here are some of the forces shaping online retail.

By Retail Dive staff

Consumers trust AI to advise, but don’t consent to it purchasing for them

Consumers are turning to AI to find deals, but won’t allow it to delegate purchase decisions, an ACI Worldwide survey found.

By Matt Vartabedian • Sept. 23, 2026

Shoppers burned by bad AI recommendations

As more consumers turn to AI to suggest purchases, some regret following the technology’s advice, a new survey finds.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 23, 2026

Amazon asks Meta to remove it from the Muse AI agent experience

The e-commerce giant — which is no stranger to the opt-out approach of agentic purchases — said it was not given advance notice Muse would access its shop.

By Dani James • Sept. 22, 2026

Macy’s rolls out AI inventory replenishment tool

The forecasting capability is moving from pilot to broader implementation as the retailer targets improved in-stock levels and operational efficiencies.

By Kelly Stroh • Sept. 18, 2026

How Carter’s is refreshing its brand to reach Gen Z, millennial parents

An identity overhaul, including a new logo and revamped social media strategy, is showcased in a campaign that is rooted in self-expression.

By Jessica Hammers • Sept. 16, 2026

Teens start to trust AI recommendations more than friends, parents

There's a generational shift among consumers as they bring AI into their purchasing process, according to a Mastercard report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 14, 2026

Best Buy launches holiday gifting center earlier than ever

The retailer is highlighting its shop-in-shops with Google and Meta as a way to entice holiday shoppers into stores this season.

By Dani James • Sept. 14, 2026

FedEx launches Shopify app to combat surprise import charges

FedEx Duty and Tax provides a cost guarantee at checkout and covers any overages to that amount.

By Max Garland • Sept. 14, 2026

Instacart, Shipt launch AI-powered shopping assistants

The companies’ new marketplace tools can build grocery carts based on a conversation with a customer or an uploaded photo.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 14, 2026

Retail foot traffic doesn’t equal sales

Foot traffic shows where shoppers go. Transaction data reveals what happens next.

By Phil Fox • Sept. 14, 2026

What separates top self-service performers from laggards?

Discover the practices helping leading retailers improve self-service performance over time.

Sept. 14, 2026

Amazon pilots ad services in ChatGPT: What marketers need to know

The managed service offering, which is in a U.S. pilot and available via Amazon DSP, comes as ChatGPT Ads recently hit a revenue milestone.

By Peter Adams • Sept. 11, 2026

Target introduces AI-powered photo search, review features

The retailer is accelerating its AI capabilities to boost personalization and product discovery.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 10, 2026

E-commerce to outpace overall holiday sales growth as shoppers lean on AI

The channel is expected to grow up to 8.4%, aided in part by consumers’ embrace of digital tools such as artificial intelligence, per Deloitte.

By Lara Ewen • Sept. 10, 2026

Retailers bet on AI for supply chain, ‘smart’ shopping

Retailers are using AI technologies to overhaul their customer experience, supply chain and personalized shopping offerings.

By Paige Gross • Sept. 9, 2026

Urban Outfitters’ Nuuly pursues more fulfillment center automation

The rental subscription service aims to launch an automated order sortation system and picking solution at its Kansas City-area facility.

By Max Garland • Sept. 8, 2026

Preparing your platform for agentic commerce: How to authenticate AI buying agents vs. synthetic bots

Marketplaces spent a decade building systems to keep bots out. In agentic commerce, some of those bots are now your best customers — and the rest are harder to spot.

Sept. 8, 2026

Amazon Prime members now get free Alexa+ access

The new perk follows a quarter of double-digit growth in Prime membership as Amazon and rivals emphasize the importance of their paid membership programs.

By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 4, 2026

Ulta’s use of Flock technology causes upset online

The retailer drew attention on social media this week for its use of automated license plate readers at some locations as the technology has drawn widespread public criticism. 

By Dani James • Sept. 4, 2026

Dollar General deploys AI across distribution centers, stores

The retailer is using Relex Solutions’ supply chain platform to manage ordering schedules, lead times, supplier coordination and fulfillment methods.

By Kelly Stroh • Sept. 4, 2026

How AI is powering Target’s back-to-school push

The mass retailer is utilizing AI for wish lists and recommended actions on its e-commerce site, Target’s senior vice president of technology told Retail Dive.

By Dani James • Sept. 3, 2026

Kohl’s unites marketing, digital under new chief customer officer role

The position combines media, loyalty, digital commerce and other functions under one title. Chief Marketing Officer Christie Raymond will depart the company.

By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 2, 2026

Sephora to pilot TikTok Shop experience

The beauty retailer will debut exclusive monthly drops through the social media's e-commerce feature with content-led videos and a TikTok Live.

By Dani James • Sept. 2, 2026