Shopping app downloads up 20% in first half of 2017

U.S. consumers now spend an average of 50 minutes in shopping app sessions each month, and about 10 hours total yearly, according to a recent report.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 11, 2017

Estée Lauder and L'Oréal get 'aesthe-tech' with AI, AR

Estée Lauder and L'Oréal are among the beauty companies looking to capitalize on modern tech capabilities like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

By Alex Hickey • Oct. 11, 2017

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

Belgian postal service buys fulfillment specialist Radial for $820M

Bpost is looking to stake a claim on the growing worldwide cross-border e-commerce fulfillment market by acquiring the former ebay unit. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 10, 2017

Amazon exploring delivery to car trunks

As theft of delivered packages from consumer residences continues to be a problem, the e-commerce giant is considering alternatives, according to a report. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 10, 2017

HGTV’s ‘Santa HQ’ experience adds mobile AR features for mall shoppers

Visitors at some Macerich malls can customize their experience by using augmented reality to view Santa's Workshop.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 10, 2017

Most retailers see AI in their future

Over the next year, retailers plan to use artificial intelligence to improve product recommendations, customer service and chatbots, according to a recent survey.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 10, 2017

How in-store social sharing can bring a little spark back to retail

Whether it's designated photo-taking spots, featured attractions or creative hashtags, brands thrive when they merge mobile and physical experiences.

By Erica Sweeney • Oct. 10, 2017

1-800-Flowers calls on Google for voice ordering

Following big partnerships with Walmart and Home Depot, the tech company shows no signs of slowing down.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 9, 2017

Wikibuy adds AR to comparison shopping app

The shopping service is going beyond mere price comparisons by allowing customers to see how an item looks in their living space.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 8, 2017

Boxed tests driverless carts to improve warehouse efficiency

The e-commerce wholesaler continues its campaign to automate fulfillment processes, with an autonomous cart that enables 80% more picks per hour.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 6, 2017

Amazon buys Body Labs to leverage 3D scanning technology

Body scanning could fuel apparel sales at Amazon as retailers scramble to adopt more accurate fit technology. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 5, 2017

What retailers should know about mobile shoppers for the holidays

Ready or not, here they come. Nearly 60% of mobile-first shoppers start their holiday shopping between October and mid-November, according to a new study.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 5, 2017

Why Lowe’s uses comic books to guide innovation

Kyle Nel, executive director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs, opened up to Retail Dive about how the company experiments with new technology. 

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 5, 2017

Walmart goes live with Google voice ordering

The alliance is issuing its first real challenge to Amazon as it launches voice shopping of two million Walmart products via Google Home devices.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 5, 2017

Loop Commerce lands e-gifting patent

The system, currently used by Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, could help retailers reduce the likelihood of gifts being returned.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 4, 2017

Anthropologie brings furniture customization to AR

The apparel and home goods retailer aims to please custom furniture shoppers with a new 3-D image library and an augmented reality feature.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 4, 2017

Office Depot buys IT firm CompuCom and shifts focus

Just when Office Depot seemed to be sticking with retail sales in contrast to rival Staples, the company is now pursuing a new growth strategy centered on business-to-business.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 4, 2017

Supply chain might be the biggest retail disruptor

The difference between the companies that thrive and those that fail will be which ones master the modern supply chain — and which don’t, writes Karl Siebrecht, co-founder and CEO at FLEXE.

By Karl Siebrecht • Oct. 4, 2017

Starbucks shutters online store to focus on brick and mortar

The coffee chain is betting on a future in which its mobile app drives consumers to experiences in local stores.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 3, 2017

Toys R Us launches ‘digital playground’ with AR app

The retailer, fresh from a Chapter 11 filing, is using augmented reality to bring the in-store experience to (virtual) life.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 3, 2017

70% of brands use Instagram influencers

Although the ROI of influencers has been hotly debated, L2 found they drive much higher engagement rates than do brand accounts.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 3, 2017

Target expands new ‘Drive Up’ pickup program

The pilot is the retailer's second attempt at curbside pickup and is now available to shoppers at Twin Cities locations Target's Minneapolis headquarters.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 3, 2017

Nearly 70% of shoppers aware of BOPIS, mobile payments

When it comes to in-store technologies, these capabilities have the broadest awareness among shoppers, according to research from the NRF.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 2, 2017

How Walmart is simplifying building cross-platform apps

The retailer recently debuted Electrode Native, a tool for streamlining mobile development that leverages Facebook's open source React Native.

By Robert Williams • Oct. 2, 2017

Online hijacking threatens retailers’ holiday plans

The growing problem, which involves unauthorized ads appearing on retailer websites to steal clicks and revenue, is set to peak this holiday season, according to a new report. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 2, 2017