Allbirds sells special shoe collection only on Instagram

The brand is one of many beginning to sell exclusive products directly to consumers through social media.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2018

The Children’s Place and Gymboree: A tale of two specialty retailers

One invested in inventory technology, assortment and e-commerce. The other went bankrupt. What can the two children's apparel retailers teach retailers?

By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 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

Olay boosts engagement 20% with influencer skincare challenge

The beauty brand boosted awareness and Google searches, but missed an opportunity to drive sales on Walmart's website.

By Robert Williams • March 5, 2018

Rakuten to launch 'borderless currency' Rakuten Coin

The company unveiled a blockchain-based cryptocurrency that will support global loyalty efforts and cross-border transactions.

By Dan Alaimo • March 5, 2018

Amazon adds photo confirmation for deliveries

The online giant has introduced a service in some areas that sends photographic evidence of an unattended package delivery to the recipient.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2018

Walmart develops produce inspection technology to track freshness

The company's Eden project digitally tracks the quality and freshness of fruits and vegetables, and will save an estimated $2 billion over five years.   

By Dan Alaimo • March 5, 2018

Samsung pairs AR with Bixby voice assistant platform

The integration of ModiFace's tech will give users the ability to watch augmented reality makeup simulations in real time via live video.

By Dan O'Shea • March 2, 2018

Office Depot's big bet on BizBox

The retailer is transitioning from a supplier of office supplies to a supporter of small business with a brash 14-store test designed to serve millennial entrepreneurs.

By Laura Heller • March 2, 2018

Study: Voice shopping will surge 1,900% by 2022

Amazon is poised to dominate the emerging space with the largest market share, which is currently more than twice that of its nearest competitor Google.

By Robert Williams • March 1, 2018

Chinese tourists take mobile payments habits overseas

About 65% of Chinese tourists have used mobile payment platforms to pay while traveling abroad, and it may be time for merchants in other countries to take notice.

By Dan O'Shea • March 1, 2018

JD.com launches AI, blockchain accelerator

The Chinese e-commerce company will begin working with six startups this month to test and scale real-world applications of these technologies. 

By Dan Alaimo • March 1, 2018

Many Amazon customers would welcome banking services

More than half of 1,000 U.S. Amazon customers recently surveyed said they would be willing to use an Amazon-created virtual currency for purchases, according to LendEDU.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 28, 2018

Amazon buys smart-doorbell startup Ring

The deal, which according to Reuters is valued at more than $1 billion, says much of Amazon's shipping ambitions.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 28, 2018

Study warns malicious uses of AI will escalate

A study from global experts and institutions sounds the alarm over possible threats of using AI to attack digital, physical and national security.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 28, 2018

Tech startup launches scalable Amazon Go-like system

AiFi, which uses computer vision to track shoppers and process orders, will unveil a 50,000 square-foot pilot store in partnership with a major grocery retailer later this year.

By Jeff Wells • Feb. 27, 2018

Google brings ARCore out of beta testing

Furniture company Otto, e-tailer JD.com and carmaker Porsche are among the launch partners for the augmented reality platform.

By Robert Williams • Feb. 27, 2018

Amazon’s conversion-friendly AR view lands on Android

Users of the immersive in-app feature on iPhones are more likely to purchase viewed home furnishing items, according to the e-commerce giant.

By Chantal Tode • Feb. 27, 2018

Fraud, cyber and security incidents reach all-time high

The risk of fraud has never been greater, according to a new report from Kroll, and survey respondents feel more vulnerable than ever.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 27, 2018

Google hands retailers the tools to improve mobile load times

The tech giant unveiled a speed scorecard and an impact calculator for retailers trying to keep tabs on their mobile website performance.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 27, 2018

Solving for the last mile is retail's next big disruption

Amazon could move the needle for delivery solutions, but will others follow suit, or even be able to keep up? 

By Lara Ewen • Feb. 27, 2018

Aeon, SoftBank, Yahoo Japan reportedly tee up partnership

Three major Japanese retail companies may align to defend their turf from Amazon.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2018

Shoptalk launches VC program for retail tech startups

The retail tech conference producer partnered with Commerce Ventures in a new venture capital program for retail and e-commerce technology startups.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 26, 2018

Bazaarvoice acquires AddStructure to improve UGC

At the heart of this acquisition is a notion that machine learning and natural language processing can improve product reviews and ratings.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2018

Diamond Hedge puts a virtual ring on it

The e-commerce jeweler is using augmented reality to let shoppers to try on a variety of ring styles from their smartphones.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 23, 2018

AI poised to take over more customer service

A recent report estimates that by 2020, virtual assistants and chatbots could be performing 25% of customer service and support work. 

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2018