Alexa for Business zeros in on business enterprise apps

Amazon's CTO said the service is developing new applications and forging third-party partnerships to help companies "voice-enable their spaces, corporate applications, people and customers."

By Dan O'Shea • March 13, 2018

4 key takeaways from eTail West

It's all about leadership, culture and embracing innovation as retail enters a highly inventive and experimental phase in the quest to differentiate. 

By Laura Heller • March 13, 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

360-degree VR ads have 300% higher click-through rates

An increasing component of retailers' marketing plans are 360-degree virtual reality ads, which according to OmniVirt are measurably more effective than traditional two-dimensional ads.

By Dan Alaimo • March 13, 2018

For L’Oreal and Home Depot, AI quickly becomes table stakes

Speaking at SXSW, the two brands detailed how, in just a few years' time, the technology has changed everything from creative strategies to organizational structures, with no signs of slowing down.

By Peter Adams • March 12, 2018

Sephora lines up largest accelerator yet

The beauty retailer disrupted department stores years ago and "Sephora Accelerate" helps ensure it doesn't get staid.

By Daphne Howland • March 12, 2018

Specialty retailers are upping their omnichannel game

A report from L2 found a 75% increase among specialty brands in adoption of features like in-store inventory on product pages and geolocation within store locators. 

By Dan Alaimo • March 12, 2018

Nordstrom snaps up tech startups to fuel mobile shopping

The companies, BevyUp and MessageYes, are aimed at digital selling and conversational commerce, indicating a new focus for the retailer.

By Dan O'Shea • March 9, 2018

Best Buy's Geek Squad allegedly took money from the FBI

Best Buy confirmed to Retail Dive that its Geek Squad repair employees alert law enforcement when they "inadvertently" find child pornography, but says taking payment from the FBI is against their policy.

By Daphne Howland • March 9, 2018

Barneys launches in-store VR experience for spring campaign

The virtual reality film shows off designer apparel in an immersive performance by the Martha Graham Dance troupe.

By Robert Williams • March 8, 2018

How Kohl's uses stores in pursuit of 'operational excellence'

The retailer's use of brick-and-mortar stores as fulfillment centers helps the company to satisfy customers' needs for instant gratification. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 8, 2018

Desperate for profits, retailers reinvent inventory strategies

Gap, J.C. Penney and Lowe's may be different types of retailers — but all share similar solutions to weathering the retail apocalypse.

By Edwin Lopez • March 8, 2018

Betabrand uses 3D tech to take designs to fruition in 5 days

The company claims it can now turn crowdsourced ideas into ready-for-sale products in five days or less — something that usually takes 18 months.

By Dan O'Shea • March 8, 2018

5 factors that will shift retail supply chains

The annual RILA suply chain conference highlighted the changing landscape of retail and the necessity for a consumer-centric model. 

By Shefali Kapadia • March 8, 2018

Walmart relies on DevOps and the IoT to better its business model

In the last year, CIO Clay Johnson has worked to create transparency in DevOps practices.

By Samantha Schwartz • March 8, 2018

21% of US shoppers are using voice or chatbots for commerce

A recent study from Mastercard and Mercator shows a 60% acceptance of voice assistants and text-based chatbots for basic informational tasks.

By Dan Alaimo • March 8, 2018

Zara aims to automate pickup with in-store robots

Enabling customers to pick up online orders in stores was a start. Now, retailers need to make sure the process remains an efficient one.

By Dan O'Shea • March 7, 2018

Amazon could soon offer checking accounts

The e-commerce giant is in talks with JP Morgan Chase, among others, to create an Amazon-branded checking account, according to the Wall Street Journal.

By Dan O'Shea • March 6, 2018

Customer experience and loyalty will drive retail financing in 2018

 While many retailers are heads down in delivering superior customer experience to improve the overall shopping journey, they have been missing the mark on a key part of this journey: how consumer’s pay.

March 6, 2018

Millennials will pay more for top mobile shopping experiences

Nearly 45% of millennials are willing to spend big if they had a superior mobile shopping experience, according to new research from Worldpay.

By Dan Alaimo • March 6, 2018

FTC relaxes 2009 restrictions on Sears app

Citing changed circumstances, the FTC's move allows the company more flexibility on what functional information is being tracked.

By Dan Alaimo • March 5, 2018

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

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