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

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

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

'Disturbingly slow' e-commerce site load times turning away shoppers

An evaluation of 80 retailers showed One Kings Lane received the lowest score for site speed, and average load times were nowhere near the threshold at which customers tend to give up and visit other websites.

By Dan O'Shea • June 30, 2017

The latest UPS innovation to hit the road? A golf cart

A new law in Kentucky posits that if packages can arrive by flying drone, then why not by golf cart? 

By Dan O'Shea • June 29, 2017

Carhartt adopts ‘Shop for Others’ for better gift recommendations

Carhartt is the first company to use a new feature from True Fit that improves recommendations when buying for others. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 29, 2017

Walmart celebrates 'Academy' graduates in revamped training effort

Walmart has plans for 200 "Walmart Academies" to be running revamped training nationwide by the end of the year.

By Daphne Howland • June 29, 2017

Nordstrom's latest pop-up stores will feature tech products

Next week, Pop-In@Nordstrom turns toward tech, with dedicated shops featuring 125 products in the home, fitness, health, travel, accessories and pet care categories.

By Dan O'Shea • June 28, 2017

Discount Drug Mart putting holographic kiosks in its stores

3D Savings Center kiosks are coming to the drug store retail chain courtesy of Provision Interactive Technologies.

By Dan O'Shea • June 28, 2017

Best Buy unveils Google Home, Amazon Echo smart home displays

In another move to become a dominant smart home player, the electronics retailer is rolling out new in-store displays touting smart assistant integration with connected home products.

By Dan O'Shea • June 28, 2017

Tommy Hilfiger adds chatbot to autoplay video ads

The clothing brand's TMY.GRL bot invites viewers in Facebook Messenger to engage directly over the on-screen action.

By Robert Williams • June 28, 2017

Facebook rolls out product video ads as mobile shopping’s ascent continues

Made.com is an early adopter of the video dynamic ads, while Airbnb and Netflix are leveraging new household targeting capabilities. 

By David Kirkpatrick • June 28, 2017

Study: How in-store, online shopping complement one another

Results of a massive new study gives retailers every reason to invest in omnichannel strategies that emphasize the store experience. 

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2017

Target opens next-day delivery pilot to Minneapolis shoppers

After a brief month and a half trial period with employees, the big-box retailer is rolling out its household essential delivery service in what is seen as a challenge to Amazon's Prime Pantry program.

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2017

More than 20% of Walgreens mobile app users are 55 or older

Mobile shopping apps generally don't draw usage from older consumers, except for Walgreens.

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2017

Mastercard offering merchants new payment tools

As electronic payment capabilities diversify, Mastercard is rolling out solutions that will help its merchant customers more quickly support new payment options on platforms.

By Dan O'Shea • June 27, 2017

Survey: Retailers struggle to keep up with demand for hyperlocal delivery

The age of Amazon Prime has retailers bringing faster options and greater flexibility to delivery, but new data show they're not doing it fast enough.

By Dan O'Shea • June 26, 2017

E-commerce startup ThredUP launches 'smart' brick-and-mortar store

The secondhand seller is using consumer data to personalize the shopping experience at its first store.

By Corinne Ruff, Dan O'Shea • June 26, 2017

The emerging portrait of Gen Z

Expect a change of direction as the world’s next most influential consumers — who combine technological prowess with an old-school mindset — grow up.  

By Laura Klepacki • June 26, 2017

Survey: Big data, predictive analytics top investment priorities

Retail professionals need to draw insights from massive amounts of collected data, making these technologies an area of major investment in the years to come.

By Dan O'Shea • June 25, 2017