Amazon reportedly upgrading Echo device with new look, tech specs

Amazon's Echo could be getting a new look and audio updates just in time for Apple's HomePod to arrive.

By Dan O'Shea • July 14, 2017

Apple devices to support PayPal payments

In an uncharacteristic move, Apple is about to start letting users of iPhones and other Apple devices to use PayPal to pay for Apple services.

By Dan O'Shea • July 13, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

First-ever Neiman Marcus CISO departs

In 2014, the company became one of the first retailers to hire a chief information security officer, just months after a high-profile data breach.

By Dan O'Shea • July 13, 2017

Google updates Shopping features to compete with Amazon

Google is aiming to improve shopping search results by giving manufacturers more control over the product details that come up.

By Dan O'Shea • July 12, 2017

Apple brings smart home experiences to stores

The company is priming customers with interactive demonstrations for the release later this year of its HomePod smart home hub.

By Dan O'Shea • July 12, 2017

Walmart Store No 8 launches VR developer competition

As virtual reality lingers as a tech more promising than practical, Walmart and other partners are looking to breathe life into new VR concepts.

By Dan O'Shea • July 12, 2017

New tools from Salesforce to help retailers manage their field forces

As retailers increasingly put their own employees in the field to provide on-site support services for customers, Salesforce has come up with tools to help them.

By Dan O'Shea • July 12, 2017

Qubit revamps product discovery for mobile shoppers

The company has released a beta version of a platform intended to revitalize product discovery for shoppers who have grown weary of clunky mobile search.

By Dan O'Shea • July 11, 2017

Walmart leans on machine learning across all channels

The technology has become a key tool for Walmart, perhaps to a surprising degree for a brick-and-mortar giant, as it looks to improve customer experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • July 11, 2017

L’Oréal gets mobile AR makeover

The renewed partnership with Perfect Corp. follows a May smartphone promotion tied to the Cannes Film Festival.

By Robert Williams • July 11, 2017

On Prime Day, in Alexa we trust... sort of

Roughly 77% of Amazon customers who have ordered products through Alexa say they checked Amazon to make sure the order was placed correctly.

By Dan O'Shea • July 11, 2017

Report: Amazon set to wage war on Best Buy's Geek Squad

The e-commerce giant appears to be getting into the business of helping households plan and install tech products.

By Dan O'Shea • July 10, 2017

Apple retail strategy rolls on with US remodels, India plans

Plans for two giant stores in India, and re-openings of remodeled, expanded stores prove that Apple's retail rethink is strong .

By Dan O'Shea • July 10, 2017

Finish Line bets on mobile to boost sales amid store strategy overhaul

The retailer's mobile loyalty app was a bright spot on its most recent quarterly performance, even as it continues to remodel some stores and close others.

By Dan O'Shea • July 9, 2017

Shipments of self-checkout terminals hit record in 2016

Amid Amazon Go and the transition to line-less retail checkout process, self-checkout terminals continue to see greater demand.

By Dan O'Shea • July 9, 2017

Amazon developer series aims to expand Alexa skills

A traveling series of learning events for developers is the latest step in Amazon's ongoing push to expand its Alexa ecosystem.

By Dan O'Shea • July 9, 2017

West Elm taps Pinterest images for product recommendations

The West Elm Pinterest Style Finder aims to give the retailer's customers an easy way to shop using Pinterest board images as inspiration.

By Dan O'Shea • July 6, 2017

Alibaba to launch an Alexa-like virtual assistant

Alibaba is rolling out its own home speaker and virtual assistant just in time to join an increasingly crowded marketplace. 

By Dan O'Shea • July 6, 2017

Yoox Net-a-Porter opens Tech Hub to drive ‘mobile-only’ effort

The luxury brand looks to grow its reputation as an aggressive innovator with the opening of a new technology hub.

By Dan O'Shea • July 6, 2017

Moby-Mart gives mobile commerce a whole new meaning

A store on wheels that doesn't need cashiers — or even a driver — is stirring great interest based on a single beta model operating in China.

By Dan O'Shea • July 6, 2017

Best Buy poised to dethrone Sears in appliance sales

As in so many other sectors, Sears is falling out of competition in the appliances market, but is eyeing a new way to boost sales.

By Dan O'Shea • July 5, 2017

Report: Snapdeal balked at Flipkart’s lowball bid

The rejected bid was between $850 million and $900 million, which is well below a widely reported estimated value of $1 billion.

By Dan O'Shea • July 5, 2017

Resale sites threaten off-price retailers

The online re-sale business is one of the fastest-growing e-commerce segments, thanks to its mobile capabilities and treasure hunt atmosphere.

By Daphne Howland • July 5, 2017

Walmart Open Call event grants entrepreneurs shelf space

The big-box retailer made deals with some 100 entrepreneurs, allowing their products to be sold by Walmart, as it continues to broaden its product lineup.

By Dan O'Shea • July 4, 2017

REI tests targeting Facebook ads using context like weather

Jivox technology uses machine learning and contextual data like weather, time of day, language and other demographics to serve up more relevant ads.

By Robert Williams • June 30, 2017