Apple ties education push to its community-focused retail revamp

The technology company followed up the product launch with an in-store event to highlight its ongoing transformation from retail space to community gathering place. 

By Dan O'Shea • March 28, 2018

Barnes & Noble debuts book discovery social network and app

Brad Meltzer is the first to be featured in the app's "asked by an author" section, where readers can chat with writers and ask questions.

By Robert Williams • March 28, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

Walmart ditches Alipay for WeChat in Western China stores

The move intensifies competition between the top two mobile payment systems in China, Tencent and Alibaba.

By Dan O'Shea • March 28, 2018

Retail apps need to do more to drive adoption, visibility

A new L2 report notes that many apps still have not incorporated digital loyalty cards, while many face search ads from competitors with higher-ranked apps.

By Dan Alaimo • March 28, 2018

Nike readies test for ‘App at Retail’ to enhance store experience

The company also acquired analytics firm Zodiac to study customer lifetime value and ramp up personalization.

By Robert Williams • March 27, 2018

Google expands mobile-first indexing after 1.5 years of testing

The search giant will notify websites that have been shifted to the new system in its Search Console.

By Robert Williams • March 27, 2018

Amazon, Walmart drone concepts coming down to earth

The e-tailer has been granted a patent for a drone that recognizes human behavior on the ground, while the brick-and-mortar giant applied for multiple drone patents for in-store use.

By Dan Alaimo • March 26, 2018

Lululemon brings in new chief strategy and digital officer

The athleisure seller has tapped a former Zulily executive as it seeks to stay on a growth track even without a CEO in place.

By Dan O'Shea • March 25, 2018

7 takeaways from Shoptalk 2018

From speeding up the supply chain to adding personalization and making shopping more convenient — technology is fundamentally transforming the business. Here's what you need to know.

By Corinne Ruff , Laura Heller • March 23, 2018

Retailers are being flooded by a 'returns tsunami'

Try-before-you-buy purchasing is great for consumers, but it's becoming a major headache for online retailers, according to a new report.

By Dan Alaimo • March 23, 2018

Home Depot expands partnership with Pinterest

The home improvement retailer is increasing the number of items available through Shop the Look, which will now include over 100,000 products.

By Dan Alaimo • March 23, 2018

Starbucks opens Mobile Order and Pay to the masses

The retailer is expanding the feature beyond its rewards members in another push toward digital.

By Dan O'Shea • March 22, 2018

More marketing, IT dollars pouring into mobile

Retail marketers will increase their mobile budget by an average of 25%, pointing to the continued importance of the platform for shoppers.

By Dan O'Shea • March 22, 2018

Starbucks is brewing up blockchain for 'bean to cup' tracking

Starbucks has an inventive supply chain not limited to a single system of process. 

By Samantha Schwartz • March 22, 2018

Instagram expands shoppable posts in 8 countries

Brands in the U.K., France, Italy, Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada and Spain can now add e-commerce links within their Instagram posts.

By Robert Williams • March 21, 2018

Overstock, Wayfair launch Android AR apps

The two companies have turned to Google ARcore as they ready their augmented reality apps for mass market appeal.

By Dan O'Shea • March 21, 2018

EBay taps AR to help sellers think outside the (shipping) box

The feature will help sellers on the marketplace with shipping challenges, like picking the right size box and estimating shipping costs.

By Dan Alaimo • March 21, 2018

Why Lowe’s is doubling down on AR for mobile

The company partnered with Google Tuesday to launch an augmented reality-enabled feature showcasing the spring collection on its mobile app.

By Corinne Ruff • March 20, 2018

Shopify brings Google Pay to its mobile checkout

The commerce platform aims to ramp up its mobile experience after finding that more than 70% of its traffic comes from smartphones or tablets.

By Robert Williams • March 20, 2018

Ulta’s Mary Dillon on riding the wave of beauty’s success

The retailer is positioned in a retail sweet spot, and its CEO has every intention of growing the best of its business. 

By Laura Heller • March 20, 2018

87% of loyalty members open to being ‘watched, monitored and tracked’

According to a new study by Bond Brand Loyalty, customers will part with personal data if it means receiving personalized rewards, including perks like free Wi-Fi or faster checkout lines.

By Cara Salpini • March 20, 2018

The hands-free lead machine that's turning heads for landlords

How a new generation of tech-savvy landlords is winning the fight against climbing vacancy rates.

March 20, 2018

How Amazon Go went from press release to a real live store

Machine learning, computer vision and people are the secret sauce making Amazon Go go, executives said during a keynote at Shoptalk Sunday. 

By Laura Heller • March 19, 2018

Starbucks launches 'Tryer' location to encourage new ideas

The company is already a tech pioneer when it comes to payments and ordering, and wants to encourage more experimentation.

By Daphne Howland • March 19, 2018

L’Oréal buys AR beauty tech startup Modiface

The acquisition lets the beauty brand control a proven technology that allows customers to virtually try on makeup and keep it out of the hands of competitors.

By Robert Williams • March 19, 2018