Amazon expands payments for best Alexa developers

The e-commerce giant will provide rewards for top-performing and "engaging" voice apps across a number of categories. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 17, 2017

Shopping apps rank among most-deleted

A new study shows that shopping apps rank highly on lists of both most-downloaded and most-deleted apps.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 16, 2017

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

Jo-Ann rebrands as it integrates new tech features

The fabric and craft retailer is focusing on the makers who buy its products as it integrates mobile, analytics and video content. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Aug. 16, 2017

Amazon looking for talent to support Alexa-based enterprise service development

The service will fall under its SaaS offerings within AWS, including Amazon Chime, Amazon WorkSpaces and Amazon WorkDocs, according to the company's job posting. 

By Justine Brown • Aug. 16, 2017

47% of mobile users delete apps with no customer support

In a world where retailers are increasingly trying to reach consumers via mobile, customer service is a deal-breaker, a new survey says.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 15, 2017

Target to acquire same-day delivery company Grand Junction

The San Francisco-based company could help Target compete by connecting inventory to established local and regional delivery operations.  

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 14, 2017

Study: In-app ad spending to hit $201B by 2021

Mobile now accounts for 51% of total digital ad spend. 

By David Kirkpatrick • Aug. 14, 2017

Expert Andrew Ng wants to train millions to use AI

Through Coursera, and soon his new startup Deeplearning.ai, Ng hopes to commoditize AI training and quickly educate more people. 

By Justine Brown • Aug. 14, 2017

Mobile’s ‘next billion’ users to ditch text for voice and video

Chatting via e-mail and text may be on the way out, the Wall Street Journal reports.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

Study: Growth of shopping apps second only to gaming

Downloads of mobile shopping apps grew 76% from 2015 to 2016, but they've still only been downloaded by 26% of smartphone users.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

Modiface unveils virtual skin consultations

The company behind many recent augmented reality features has unveiled a virtual skin consultation capability for skin care brands.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

Unata expands e-commerce grocery platform

With more grocery sales headed online, regional grocers are looking to elevate their online shopping experience to meet the challenge.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 12, 2017

Sephora launches members-only social platform

The "Beauty Insider Community" allows customers to search for their favorite looks and engage in beauty-focused group discussions.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 11, 2017

Pinterest helps brands engage shoppers

Pinners who engaged with an advertiser's content on the social network had a 40% larger shopping cart at checkout, according to a new study. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 11, 2017

'Rage Grades' aim to keep rage clicks in check

Rage clicking is a common user reaction to site performance problems and retail website operators are getting tools to understand it better.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Fossil still waiting on the smartwatch boom

Could smartwatches finally be ready for major market growth? Fossil, which is betting its future on wearables, sure hopes so.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Salesfloor connects associates with customers via mobile messaging

By integrating with major messaging platforms — namely Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat — Salesfloor could help retailers support many more customers on familiar platforms.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 10, 2017

Oregon becomes first state to require predictive scheduling

The new law's requirements apply to employers in the retail, hospitality and food service industries.

By Kate Tornone • Aug. 10, 2017

New UPS tool eases returns process for customers, merchants

Many shoppers consider a merchant's return policy before making a purchase and easing this process is in a seller's best interest.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2017

Amazon’s new mobile investment could add Alexa to more devices

Amazon appears to be getting involved in the smartphone market again, but as an investor this time. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2017

Walmart jumps ahead of Amazon with Scan & Go

Walmart, in a race with Amazon toward frictionless checkout, is launching an in-app scan and payment feature for shoppers to use in-store.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2017

Study: 86% of CMOs plan to invest in AI, machine learning

Almost half will spend $50 million on the tech and 25% will shell out over $100 million, but marketers still struggle with the best ways to use AI.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 9, 2017

Amazon Pay Places could seriously challenge Apple Pay

The payment program is right now just a limited extension of Amazon Pay, but a new report suggests it could be key to helping Amazon take on Apple.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2017

Study: 20% of marketing e-mails don’t reach the inbox

Only 80% of commercial e-mails reach their intended targets, raising concerns for marketers who might be landing theirs in the spam folder.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2017

Fillr, targeting autofill issues, cart abandonment, hits 100 million users

Fillr shed a light of how inaccurate browser-based autofill technology can be, and then did something about it.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2017