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

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

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

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

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