Amazon Go stores are reportedly coming to San Francisco and Chicago

As the cashierless concept expands, will the cost of its technology prove to be a barrier?

By Alicia Kelso • May 15, 2018

YouCam drives personalized beauty consultations with live advisers

The beauty consultants can display looks and products virtually on themselves or on the face of callers, as well as helping them find and shop for products.

By Robert Williams • May 15, 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

Most retailers say real-time payments will cut costs, cards

More than 75% of global retailers said "immediate" payment processing will reduce costs and eliminate payment cards, according to a study by ACI and Ovum.

By Dan Alaimo • May 15, 2018

In challenge to Amazon, Google adds YouTube to home assistants

Video has come to home assistants and the turf war between Google and Amazon is escalating with the addition of YouTube to Google devices.

By Dan Alaimo • May 15, 2018

Jeff Bezos: AI will create jobs, not kill them

Amazon's CEO recently sought to calm fears about the future effect robots and artificial intelligence will have on the retail workforce.

By Dan O'Shea • May 13, 2018

Amazon reportedly forms Alexa health team

The e-commerce giant continues to expand on the applications for AI and smart devices within the home. 

By David Lim • May 11, 2018

Aldo updates app to streamline trying on shoes in store

Shoppers can scan a bar code with the app to request a shoe size for fast service.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2018

IAB: Mobile drives digital ad spend to all-time high of $88B

Marketers are for the first time investing more in phone screens than TV screens, the trade group found. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 11, 2018

BJ’s upgrades online offerings with new website, pickup option

BJ’s Wholesale Club continues to enhance its e-commerce capabilities as competition among warehouse clubs heats up. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 11, 2018

Amazon grounded as feds let Apple, Fedex drones fly

Ten drone projects around the country are allowed to proceed by the federal government, but many retail ambitions remain on the shelf.

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 2018

Amazon transforms model houses into Alexa-powered smart homes

New Experience Centers showcase how people can control everything from TVs and lights to doorbells and thermostats with voice commands.

By Robert Williams • May 10, 2018

How to reduce friction at checkout with alternative payments

The e-commerce journey isn’t just about getting shoppers to the payment page; it’s about engaging them in the entire process—across multiple channels—so that when they reach checkout, they’ll actually want to convert.

May 10, 2018

Mobile ad fraud rates double, with shopping apps hardest hit

The damage from mobile ad fraud is approaching $5 billion, and e-commerce apps represented 40% of the fraud tracked by Adjust.

By Dan Alaimo • May 10, 2018

Consumers walk away from poorly personalized experiences

Half of the consumers surveyed by Accenture Interactive said they have left websites because shopping experiences were poorly curated.

By Dan O'Shea • May 9, 2018

H&M turns to big data, AI to tailor store assortments

To keep up with online competition, reduce markdowns and reverse slumping sales, the fast-fashion retailer is customizing in-store assortments with data and artificial intelligence. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 9, 2018

Shopify to open brick-and-mortar store for retail clients

The company is slated this year to open a store for stores that will help it connect in-person with retail customers.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2018

How Macy’s and IBM tackle ‘thumb scrolling’ on digital video

Standing out on mobile and social channels demands visually compelling work but also a clear strategy behind the creative, marketers said Monday at the IAB's Digital Video Symposium.

By Peter Adams • May 8, 2018

Gen Z’s need for speed and how retailers can keep up

The two youngest generations aren't necessarily the same, but they do have a lot in common: in particular, a taste for Amazon, Nike and social commerce.

By Cara Salpini • May 8, 2018

Study points to growth of mobile-based AI shopping assistants

A retail future dominated by AI, AR and VR technologies is predicted by a global study from Ericsson. Smart assistants will become the norm for coming generations.

By Dan Alaimo • May 8, 2018

Bloomingdale's deploys employee training tech to reduce safety claims

Employee training is becoming more important than ever in a new retail landscape, but retailers need to see proof of its business impact.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2018

Frictionless payment, 2018 style: It’s all about social

The speed of payment is changing the retail marketplace. These innovations will be key to answering demand.

By Kevin Brown • May 7, 2018

Google: Stores are key to meeting immediate shopping needs

Consumers have come to expect free and fast delivery, but that trend is driving shoppers into nearby stores for immediate purchases, according to a report from Google.

By Dan Alaimo • May 7, 2018

Mobile’s share of online sales slipped last year

Forrester spots an unexpected downward trend in mobile sales as a percentage of all online sales.

By Dan O'Shea • May 6, 2018

Instagram tests in-app payment feature

Letting users buy products on the same platform on which they browse is the latest step in the app's push toward mobile commerce.

By Robert Williams • May 4, 2018

Amazon opens premium content sales on Alexa to all developers

SyFy Wire has added subscription access to weekly podcasts and Volley's Yes Sire game released an expansion pack to purchase for Alexa.

By Robert Williams • May 4, 2018