Who's on first? Google, Amazon battle for smart speaker share in Q1

Both saw smart speaker shipments of 9 million for the period, but for the first time, Google is growing faster than Amazon.

By Dan Alaimo • May 25, 2018

Neiman Marcus adopts SaaS platform to boost supplier collaboration

The retailer will now be able to share and receive product data from suppliers like Prada and Marc Jacobs, which are already using SKYPAD.

By Shefali Kapadia • May 24, 2018

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

My favorite retail tech startup of 2018 is woman-led, and that part is important

Sometimes the best tech solutions are the lowest tech, and one company promises to break away from the pack of meal solution providers in a surprising way, writes Christopher Walton.  

By Christopher Walton • May 24, 2018

Amazon launches app store to support third-party sellers

Amazon is debuting an app store next week to connect third-party marketplace sellers to developers of vendor-focused software solutions.

By Dan Alaimo • May 24, 2018

Choosy challenges fast fashion to move even faster

A startup looking to act on social trends to create new fashion collections within 48 hours has gained seed funding.

By Dan O'Shea • May 23, 2018

Sotheby’s Int’l Realty adds shoppable furniture to AR app

The app displays virtual furniture in a real room through a smartphone screen and now lets people click on an item and make a purchase.

By Robert Williams • May 23, 2018

72% of consumers prefer videos to text marketing

Consumers like online videos with informational or purchasing links, and Coresight Research said they can provide a "powerful" marketing punch.

By Dan Alaimo • May 23, 2018

Adobe to acquire commerce platform Magento

The deal, priced at $1.68 billion, is aimed at creating a comprehensive e-commerce platform that would integrate B2B and B2C customer experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

Best Buy rolls out Geek Squad subscription

Best Buy is revitalizing the service by adding a full-year subscription plan to help customers with all their technology needs.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

Amazon aids developers with more Alexa voices, app tools

The e-commerce giant is looking to boost the next generation of Alexa skills and mixed reality apps with eight new Alexa voices and a web-based app development tool.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

Study: AR’s potential for retailers lies in driving efficiencies, not sales

The technology is likely to be too distracting to help shoppers who already are in a store looking at products, ABI Research says.

By Robert Williams • May 22, 2018

Nike sells out of Facebook Messenger sneaker drop in less than an hour

This is the athletics retailer's second social commerce success story in three months, after selling out of Air Jordans on Snapchat in just 23 minutes.

By Cara Salpini • May 22, 2018

Starbucks has the most-used mobile payment app

But competition is heating up as the use of Apple, Google and Samsung's proximity mobile payment apps grows, according to an eMarketer forecast.

By Dan Alaimo • May 22, 2018

Macy's revamps in-store beauty to challenge Sephora

The department store retailer is finally dismantling its old-school, brand-siloed beauty sales approach.

By Daphne Howland • May 21, 2018

Product review site Quiddity targets millennials with video

The platform will challenge Consumer Reports and The New York Times' Wirecutter with an approach that aims to bring emotion to product reviews. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 21, 2018

PayPal shells out $2.2B for iZettle

Over the past five years, the company has made at least a half a dozen acquisitions, but its latest and biggest deal could significantly power its in-store payments strategy.

By Dan O'Shea • May 20, 2018

Another Alexa exec ditches Amazon

Amazon is in the crosshairs of tech exec poachers, but claims there is no "executive retention issue."

By Dan Alaimo • May 18, 2018

EBay asks shoppers to share their interests

The online marketplace has launched a feature that uses customers' input on their hobbies and preferences to help build more personalized shopping experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • May 17, 2018

Macy’s expands mobile checkout, AR/VR furniture departments

The company is adding VR furniture showrooms to 60 stores after the tech "significantly increased" transaction size and reduced returns.

By Robert Williams • May 17, 2018

80% of retailers set to spend on visibility platforms powered by RFID, IoT

Many retail companies are ready to spend on technology to facilitate better shopping experiences, and they shouldn't hesitate, according to IDC.

By Dan O'Shea • May 17, 2018

Online marketplace revenues to double by 2022

A new study from Coresight Research shows the breadth and opportunities for virtual marketplaces as Walmart and Amazon accelerate growth. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 17, 2018

Starbucks ranks highest among QSR loyalty apps

The chain reportedly drives repeat visits with its rewards program by requiring members to pre-load money onto the app to make mobile payments.

By Robert Williams • May 16, 2018

Walmart drops mobile Scan & Go checkout

The failed test highlights a key challenge in the retailer's competition with Amazon to convince shoppers to adopt next-generation store experiences.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) , Robert Williams • May 16, 2018

Abercrombie drove 40K people to stores with E! Snapchat integration

The retailer, in the midst of a brand refresh, partnered with makeover show "Face Forward" on a campaign that lifted purchase intent by 4.5%.

By Peter Adams • May 16, 2018

Macy’s steps into summer with new Instagram look, dedicated men’s page and more

The retail brand is continuing its work with the creator network Tongal to make its social video efforts shoppable and shareable by influencers. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 16, 2018