Retailers drive multi-touch screen growth

As touchscreen devices become commonplace, interfaces that allow multiple touch points could be the next big thing in stores.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2017

Simon debuts ‘concierge bot’ for mall shoppers

The mobile tech can answer questions about store hours, restaurants, events, promos and amenities at all 208 locations.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 8, 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

Appear Here, Square host competition for pop-up store space

Entrepreneurs have the chance to fast-track their ideas from concept to storefront, with three winners receiving a two-week stint on a major shopping street.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2017

Amazon's latest patent imagines roving drone infrastructure

Drone delivery is not yet much of a commercial reality, and may not be for years, leaving Amazon to focus its energies on collecting drone delivery-related patents.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2017

Survey: 68% of app users want deals and offers

Retailers with mobile apps should load up on special features and offers if they want shoppers to engage.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2017

Study: Teen retailers see more offline engagement than online

Though they may lack in online buzz, many of Engagement Labs' top ten teen retailers — including Old Navy and H&M — rank highly on sentiment both online and off. 

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 7, 2017

Adidas muscles in on Nike, Under Armour with 66% e-commerce sales jump

The German athletic wear company has pivoted to street styles to drive much of its success, but still lags on mobile.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 7, 2017

Will Spark ignite Amazon as a social media leader? Just maybe

Amazon's launch of an in-app news feed could set the groundwork for a deeper push into social media and open up new advertising opportunities. 

By Chantal Tode • Aug. 7, 2017

Many shoppers ‘eager’ to use virtual reality tools

A handful of retailers have embraced virtually reality tools for marketing, and a new study shows consumers may be ready to embrace them, too.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 6, 2017

Report: Online spending jumps 14% and outpaces traffic

Consumer online spending jumped as mobile took more share with 57% of e-commerce sales and shoppers spent more per visit. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 6, 2017

Study: Social media influences purchases across generations

While millennials are the most likely to be influenced by the platform, Gen X and Baby Boomers also make social media-influenced purchases.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 4, 2017

How in-store robots could help improve retail efficiency

Three St. Louis grocery stores deployed a robot to help collect shelf data three times a day with the aim of minimizing stock problems.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Aug. 4, 2017

Study: Retailers see promise in AI

Retailers are automating customer service, but that may not mean much without integrating artificial intelligence.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Study: Omnichannel remain works in progress

Retailers continue to plug away at their omnichannel and personalization efforts, but shortcomings remain that need to be addressed, a new study found.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Wayfair amps up AR with new app feature

Use of augmented reality in retailer apps takes another step forward with the rollout of WayfairView in the newly-released Asus smartphone.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Study: Early tech adopters eager to use VR for shopping

Home improvement projects, trying on clothes and shopping with friends who aren't physically present were cited as exciting uses. 

By David Kirkpatrick • Aug. 3, 2017

Target accelerator grad Branch Messenger raises $6.8M

Getting early mentoring from Target and Techstars really paid off for work scheduling app creator Branch Messenger.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2017

Survey: Security execs fear data breaches, despite drop in retail incidents

Data breaches are declining faster in retail than other verticals, but fears remain and lessons aren't being learned.  

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 2, 2017

Boxed closing in on 'autonomous shopping'

Boxed is ready to do your shopping for you, with two new features that use machine learning to predict and act upon customer's perceived product needs.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 2, 2017

Study: Prime week spiked mobile purchases for other retailers

While non-Amazon shopping apps took a hit on Prime Day itself, the day after saw a 70% surge in mobile app purchases.

By Cara Salpini • Aug. 2, 2017

Shopkick pivots, offers rewards for mobile shopping on Boxed, eBay

Groupon and Spring are also early partners as the in-store program rewards browsing and buying on smartphones for the first time. 

By Robert Williams • Aug. 2, 2017

City Furniture adding new mobile capabilities

The regional furniture retailer is going mobile in stores with POS gear and apps from Ingenico and IBM.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 1, 2017

Tuft & Needle taps Amazon tech for new Seattle store

Many online sellers struggle with how much they should let Amazon take control of their sales and inventory, but Tuft & Needle is counting on the e-commerce giant for brick-and-mortar in-store tech and fulfillment.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 1, 2017

Amazon enables Alexa to control Fire TV

Can't find the remote? Fire TV owners can now let the virtual assistant take control of their TVs through any Echo device.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 1, 2017

Study: Rewarded ads 4.5x more likely to lead to in-app purchases

App users who engage with rewarded ads also spend four times as much.

By Robert Williams • Aug. 1, 2017