Las Vegas mall gets a sassy AI chatbot

Jules, a chatty chatbot on Facebook Messenger, hopes to connect with younger shoppers at the Miracle Mile Shops on the Las Vegas Strip.

By Dan Alaimo • June 13, 2018

Rakuten acquires mobile pickup platform Curbside

The deal comes at a time when mobile ordering and pickup are becoming more popular, making the space competitive.

By Robert Williams • June 12, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

At Houzz, mobile augmented reality is fueling sales

More than 2 million shoppers have used the site's "View in My Room" app feature since the capability launched, co-founder and president Alon Cohen told IRCE attendees. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 12, 2018

Starship Technologies taps Airbnb exec as CEO

The startup behind wheeled delivery robots designed for sidewalk travel has also raised $25 million more in funding.  

By Dan O'Shea • June 11, 2018

Amazon reportedly picks 2 Chicago sites for Go stores

The e-commerce giant has chosen two sites known for high foot traffic volumes as locations for its first two cashierless convenience stores in the city. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 11, 2018

Is e-commerce killing the merchant buyer?

Not likely, thanks in part to technology that is empowering talented retail merchants and creating opportunities for brands.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2018

Shopping apps poised for profitable 2018 after 54% growth

Retailers have a major opportunity in mobile marketing with shopping apps surging in popularity and profitability, according to a new study from Liftoff.

By Dan Alaimo • June 11, 2018

Eloquii banks on stores for growth

Eloquii has gone from a Limited castoff to growing fashion brand serving a niche shopper, online and in stores. 

By Laura Heller • June 8, 2018

H&M tests voice-activated mirrors at NYC flagship

The smooth-talking mirrors deliver high-resolution magazine-cover selfies, style suggestions and discounts.

By Daphne Howland • June 8, 2018

Amazon expands Alexa's reach with Fire TV Cube

The company's newest device is yet another entry into the Amazon ecosystem.

By Dan Alaimo • June 8, 2018

7 ways Walmart is innovating with technology

From new mobile apps for both customers and employees to robots on the store floor, Walmart is using tech to best the competition.

By Laura Heller • June 7, 2018

Retailers need to meet customers where they are

Stores are just one of many touchpoints on the map of a customer's shopping journey, according to a study released at IRCE.

By Dan O'Shea • June 7, 2018

Mobile will drive 72% of growth in online video ad spend

Mobile's share of the online video ad market will grow from 50% this year to 59% by 2023, according to a Forrester study.

By Robert Williams • June 7, 2018

Amazon still dominates e-commerce, but others have room to grow

The company is still top dog, but a crop of smaller upstarts and bricks-and-clicks retailers are reporting stronger growth, according to data presented by Internet Retailer at IRCE.

By Dan O'Shea • June 7, 2018

Amazon makes Echo Look available to all

The company is rolling out the device amid rumors it is considering offering home insurance that would work through its connected devices.

By Dan Alaimo • June 7, 2018

Amazon, Google converging as e-commerce grows and changes

With online retailing growing strongly, Amazon is becoming a force in advertising, while Google increases its e-commerce activities, tech guru Mary Meeker told a conference hosted by Recode. 

By Dan Alaimo • June 6, 2018

Gravy says the price is right for mobile shopping game show

The company's nightly game show drives users to compete for discounts on a variety of products with limited supply.

By Dan O'Shea • June 5, 2018

Most retailers use mobile location to boost store traffic

New GDPR regulations have raised questions for vendors and marketers around the limitations of data collection.

By Robert Williams • June 5, 2018

Amazon Dash integrates WePlenish smart containers

Through the partnership, the upstart's product will automatically reorder kitchen pantry items from Amazon when a user’s supply is running low.

By Dan O'Shea • June 4, 2018

Google Assistant edges ahead of Amazon Alexa in voice

Most U.S. consumers (70%) haven't used a voice-enabled digital assistant to find product information or make a purchase, according to a new study.

By Robert Williams • June 4, 2018

AR, VR spending could hit $27B in 2018

While that prediction spans several industries, retail is among the top drivers of the technology's adoption, according to a recent report.

By Dan O'Shea • June 4, 2018

Shoppers eager for e-commerce benefits from AR and voice

Consumers are ready for tech advances that will make online shopping easier, according to a new survey from Adtaxi.

By Dan Alaimo • June 4, 2018

Apple debuts ARKit 2

Capabilities include object detection and image tracking, as well as a "Measure" app that uses augmented reality to estimate the size of items.

By Dan O'Shea • Updated June 5, 2018

Nearly half of teens are online ‘almost constantly’

Pew's latest survey confirms what many already know about teens — almost all are mobile and use their smartphones on a near-constant basis.

By Dan Alaimo • June 1, 2018

Meet Jetblack, Walmart's click-free shopping service for upper-income New Yorkers

The concierge shopping service is the first out of the gate for Walmart's Store No.8 incubator, and according to its founder Jenny Fleiss, is a game changer for busy urban parents and other retailer partners looking to grow sales.  

By Laura Heller • May 31, 2018