DHL taps Alexa to deliver package status updates

The Amazon virtual assistant's new skill gives consumers a hands-free process to track their deliveries.  

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 2017

Adidas sells TaylorMade, fading out of the golf market

The athletic retailer will spin off all of its golf brands to a private equity firm in a deal valued at $425 million.

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 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

Amazon, Nike, Nordstrom lead the way in social media, word-of-mouth chatter

Victoria’s Secret, Adidas and Under Armour also made the top 10 list of retail and apparel brands that sparked shopper conversations, according to Engagement Lab’s latest TotalSocial rankings.

By Dan O'Shea • May 10, 2017

Pinterest upgrades visual search tech with QR capabilities

The platform's Lens camera is also getting better at recognizing multiple objects at once.  

By Peter Adams • May 10, 2017

Amazon’s Echo Show allows Alexa to answer queries with visuals

The latest addition to the Echo family is the first to display video or images, which would allow consumers to see and browse before they buy on the device.

By Dan O'Shea • May 9, 2017

Staples names first chief information security officer

The office supplies retailer is continuing to bolster its technology department, which also recently added a chief technology officer position for the first time.

By Dan O'Shea • May 9, 2017

Alipay swoops into US market to shake up mobile payments

Alibaba affiliate Ant Financial's mobile payments platform, in partnership with First Data, will primarily target or appeal to Chinese tourists in the U.S.

By Dan O'Shea • May 9, 2017

Starbucks drives 27% of customers to trial app via in-store QR codes

Overall, 60% of visitors with Snapchat scanned a bar code for quick web access to the coffeehouse chain’s app. 

By Chantal Tode • May 9, 2017

Voice-activated assistant market poised to boom — and Amazon has a huge lead

EMarketer projects Amazon’s Echo speaker will attract a 70.6% share of the voice-activated assistant device market, which is projected to grow 129% over last year.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Aldo overhauls digital marketing with focus on engagement

The shoe retailer is transforming its website and mobile interface with a focus on engaging marketing over transactions.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Target to pilot next-day delivery for loyalty members

Using Target Restock, REDcard holders will be able to visit a dedicated online experience to order household essentials and convenience products for home delivery.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Ink Cards pencils in Pinterest for Mother’s Day app install campaign

While the ad format is still relatively new to the social platform, results suggest costs are lower and the audience may be wider than expected.   

By Chantal Tode • May 8, 2017

Jeff Bezos: Artificial intelligence permeates Amazon’s business strategy

The founder and CEO of Amazon said machine learning tech has the potential to improve search results, product recommendations for customers and inventory management, among other things.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Report: Forever 21 plots beauty buildout with Riley Rose stores

The fast-fashion retailer is betting on growth in the beauty segment by opening at least nine freestanding beauty stores under the new brand by the end of the year.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Survey: Consumers want more biometric payment options

Nearly 80% of those surveyed said they want more biometric authentication methods beyond fingerprint authentication to access mobile banking or payment apps, EyeVerify found.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Wal-Mart's IoT patent takes aim at Amazon Dash

The platform, which aims to track how consumer products are used in homes, is designed to automatically order when products are depleted or need replacement.

By Daphne Howland • May 5, 2017

Anti-fraud tech firm Signifyd raises $56M in Series C funding

The company received major investments from Bain Capital Ventures, Menlo Ventures and American Express.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Amazon unveils plans for vast UK tech development center

The center, slated to open in the fall, will focus on work related to devices like the Kindle, Echo Look and others.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Best Buy, Vivint plug in to smart home space

The companies will soon offer smart home products at more than 400 Best Buy stores, as well as in-store expert advice, and design and installation services.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Ikea: What do shoppers want in artificial intelligence?

The Swedish retailer recently launched a survey asking consumers whether AI should be human-like, if it should be male, female or gender-neutral, and even if it should be religious.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Report: Gift cards increasingly targeted in latest evolution of security attacks

Criminals are capable of using a variety of methods, including fast, automated bots to crack the serial numbers of gift cards, according to Flashpoint.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Apple Pay transactions surged 450% over the past year

CEO Tim Cook touted the numbers on a call with analysts, although he did not reveal the total number of Apple Pay users, nor the amount of revenue the company earns from Apple Pay.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

UPS, Sealed Air debut Packaging Innovation Center

The facility aims to help solve packaging and shipping challenges facing e-commerce retailers by maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, reducing shipping costs and increasing brand affinity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Facebook tests mobile retail rewards feature

The new program allows users to scan a personalized QR code to receive benefits when purchasing items at participating brick-and-mortar stores.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Lululemon takes aim at reinventing the sports bra

The athletic apparel retailer's Enlite sports bra leverages scientific thinking about bra design and uses a proprietary lightweight fabric for high-performance activity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017