5 retail technology trends to watch in 2019

Many of the hottest retail technologies for 2019 are iterations of earlier tech that may finally be at an adoption tipping point this year.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 17, 2019

Why failing can still earn 'bravo points'

A simple pat on the back can lead to fearless innovation, according to executives from ThredUp, La-Z-Boy and Men's Wearhouse.

By Samantha Schwartz • Jan. 17, 2019

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

Nike returns to self-lacing shoe with more refined technology

It took more than two years, but Nike is bringing another self-lacing shoe out with much more developed technology at a better price.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 17, 2019

Fanatics drafts Synchrony for branded credit card launch

The online retailer becomes the latest big brand to partner up for its own store-branded credit card.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Only 14% of consumers influenced by in-store VR/AI tech

A study by Oracle NetSuite found that there is a disconnect between retail technology and consumer needs. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Walgreens partners with Microsoft to develop digital healthcare

The companies are in a massive multi-year agreement in a move against Amazon. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Walmart plans high-tech consolidation center in California

The facility will receive shipments from suppliers before sending them to distribution centers, reducing the numbers of orders suppliers have to fulfill from 42 to 1.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 15, 2019

Giant/Martin's, Stop & Shop add 500 in-store robots

The grocery giant will start deploying the tech in these stores in early 2019, while other banners will continue to test the autonomous devices.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 15, 2019

NRF Big Show 2019: IBM helps retailers deliver happiness. Again and again.

Digital disruption may have created a crisis for incumbent brands, but it’s a growth opportunity for the businesses who embrace it.

Jan. 15, 2019

Digital personal shopping assistant VERA debuts at NRF’s Big Show

Piktorlabs launched shopping assistant technology that can be integrated across retail touchpoints, including in fitting rooms.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2019

Study: 73% of consumers want self-service technology

A SOTI survey finds that as new tech sweeps through stores it's changing customer attitudes about engaging with staff.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2019

American Eagle launches dressing room technology

The retailer is partnering with Aila Technologies to make fitting rooms a seamless experience.

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 15, 2019

Kroger and Walmart outline digital transformations

Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen said at the NRF's Big Show that the grocer has positioned itself for growth through various partnerships and innovations.

By Krishna Thakker • Jan. 14, 2019

Walgreens testing in-store coolers with IoT ad displays

The retailer takes a closer look at a technology that would allow targeted advertising for customers picking up refrigerated goods.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 14, 2019

Retailers' murky data collection practices tarnish personalization efforts

Data creates a paradox: collect enough data to offer a seamless customer experience, but limit intake enough to avoid privacy concerns.

By Samantha Schwartz • Jan. 14, 2019

Shyft, JDA integrate technologies to mobilize workforce management

The partnership signifies an effort to modernize how retailers and retail workers manage their work schedules.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 14, 2019

5 innovative experiential stores in NYC

Retailers are placing new store concepts in Manhattan to encounter a diverse clientele. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 14, 2019

Grabango raises $12M to bring automated checkout to bigger stores

The tech company is one of the latest entrants in the competitive automated checkout market, and it claims to already be working with major chains.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 11, 2019

Perfect blends with Ulta on in-store beauty try-ons

The technology, which debuted at CES, lets shoppers experiment with products and assists stylists in making more effective sales demonstrations.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 11, 2019

Parcel Guard joins the fight against porch pirates

Danby came to CES with the latest idea to fight package theft — a secure, safe-like smart mailbox.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 11, 2019

NRF 2019 - Reviving retail's roots in relationship: A Fortune 500 exec's perspective

Former Whole Foods Market executive and current VP of Marketing at GoSpotCheck, Heather Larabee, explores the transformation of relationship in retail.

Jan. 11, 2019

Commuter commerce represents $230B opportunity

About 73% of commuters surveyed by Digital Drive and PYMNTS.com said they already connect to the internet while driving.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 10, 2019

Square offers SDK to allow merchants to process in-app payments

The company provides tools to help merchants support in-app payments, but is the average small merchant ready for that step?

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 10, 2019

Study: Smart speaker ownership surges 36% to 53M US adults

About 21% of people ages 18 and older said they own a smart speaker.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 10, 2019

Google Assistant to be available on 1B devices

While it will soon be on 10 times more devices than Alexa, the tech giant, in other ways, is still chasing Amazon.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 9, 2019