eBay, Google demo ShopBot appraisal feature for Google Home users

The digital concierge service is capable of telling users how much various items in their possession may be worth.

By Dan O'Shea • March 9, 2017

Wal-Mart testing in-store touchscreens in challenge to Amazon

The interactive kiosks on trial at some Texas stores help toy shoppers identify what they might want, or order a specific item they can’t locate on shelves.

By Daphne Howland • March 9, 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

Instacart adds $400M in Series D, plans expansion to 25 new markets

The funding vaults the estimated total value of the grocery shopping and delivery startup to $3.4 billion, up from $2 billion in its previous round.

By Dan O'Shea • March 8, 2017

Nike designs new shoe to help elite marathoners break two-hour threshold

The Zoom Vaporfly Elite leverages technology advancements like 3-D knitting, progressive midsole cushioning (lighter, softer and more responsive than traditional foams) and biomechanics analysis.

By Dan O'Shea • March 8, 2017

4 reasons why Amazon Dash still doesn't deliver the goods

The e-commerce giant's automated commerce program seems promising in principle, but there’s a long way to go before it pushes consumers’ buttons.

By Phillip Adcock • March 8, 2017

Pinterest unveils browser button to power web-wide image search

Users can enable image searches via the browser button by hovering over any image on a given site, then selecting the magnifying tool to instantly discover visually-similar ideas on the Pinterest platform.

By Dan O'Shea • March 7, 2017

Lowe's testing Holoroom How To virtual reality helper for DIY projects

The proof-of-concept program allows customers to use a VR headset and get step-by-step instructions to complete a DIY project.

By Dan O'Shea • March 7, 2017

IBM Watson, Salesforce Einstein form AI dream team to aid retail, other industries

The tech giants will integrate and leverage one another’s artificial intelligence solutions to deliver new applications for customers in a variety of sectors.

By Dan O'Shea • March 6, 2017

Dollar General tags Checkpoint for EAS deployment in 2,800 stores

The discount retailer is turning to Electronic Article Surveillance technology in an effort to deter shoplifting.

By Dan O'Shea • March 6, 2017

Virginia passes first US law outlining rules for delivery robots

Officials worked with delivery robot maker Starship Technologies to gather input on the legislation, which imposes speed and weight restrictions.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2017

Amazon reportedly launching Alexa devices supporting voice calling

It is unclear how voice calling would work, including whether a device would require its own phone number, or if the capability would rely on synchronization with another device.

By Dan O'Shea • March 5, 2017

Amazon to add solar panels to dozens of fulfillment centers

The e-commerce giant has plans to construct solar systems on 50 fulfillment and sorting centers globally by 2020.

By Dan O'Shea • March 2, 2017

Amazon cloud disruption slowed many top retail websites

The AWS outage slowed e-commerce site performance for more than 50 of the top 100 Internet retailers. Lululemon and Express were knocked offline completely. 

By Dan O'Shea • March 1, 2017

Techstars' AddStructure adds $1.4M in seed funding

The startup has garnered investments from Best Buy, Techstars Ventures and other parties for its white-label conversational commerce solution.

By Dan O'Shea • March 1, 2017

Report: Amazon improving Alexa's voice recognition abilities

The new capabilities may allow Alexa-enabled devices like the Echo to create voice prints that could help verify the identities of specific users.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 28, 2017

Starbucks' successful mobile ordering is causing in-store traffic jams

CEO Howard Schultz admitted the company's stores are getting congested with customers who have ordered and paid ahead of time via mobile.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 28, 2017

Wal-Mart adds pharmacy, money services features to mobile app

The retail giant continues to emphasize seamless shopping, saying that for its customers, “time is money.”

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 28, 2017

Mastercard, Oracle team up on digital payments for stores, e-commerce

The partnership aims to provide retailers with a unified approach to in-store and online payments, starting with a Qkr! and Masterpass mobile app.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 27, 2017

Drizly draws another $2M for its alcohol e-commerce ambitions

The startup will use the money to create new features for its platform, enter more markets within the U.S. and develop recommendations tools.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2017

Motorola brings Amazon's Alexa to accessories, smartphones

Google made a similar announcement, making its Google Assistant available across smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 26, 2017

Viber bolsters chat app with buying button for Macy's, other sellers

The new capability will be available as a beta offering in the U.S. early next month, and will be expanded on a worldwide basis as the year plays out.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 23, 2017

Survey: Digital transformation 2017's top priority for many retailers

Just over 50% of respondents have either not defined or not started implementing a digital transformation strategy, though progress varies by region.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 23, 2017

Voysis raises $8M for AI-based voice shopping platform

Unlike other interactive technologies, the Voysis solution integrates directly with a retailer's customer-facing app or website, cutting out middlemen like virtual assistants and chatbots.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2017

Target introduces its own private-label smart lamp

The lamp is sold in the Open House section at San Francisco’s Metreon shopping center, near where the retailer created Open House in 2015 to showcase Internet of Things devices.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 22, 2017

Survey: Hacking incidents, security concerns not derailing online spending

Only 4% of consumers have stopped shopping online altogether as a result of cyberattacks and data breaches.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 21, 2017