Gartner: Drone delivery market to remain tiny through 2020

Logistical issues still need work and companies need more proof of return on investment before they make more of a commitment, according to a new market forecast.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 9, 2017

Techstars Q&A: How startups can accelerate retail innovation

The retail industry faces transformation. Ryan Broshar, head of the Techstars startup accelerator with Target, thinks startups could be the answer.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 9, 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

Facebook giving up on Oculus VR demos at 200 Best Buy stores

Stores no longer offering virtual reality demonstrations will continue to sell the Oculus Rift headset and accompanying touch controllers, the electronics retailer said.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 8, 2017

Square rolls out retailer-focused POS platform, toolbox

Square for Retail features a point-of-sale app with a search-based interface for faster checkout, as well as a smart customer directory, real-time inventory management tools and other features.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 8, 2017

Amazon Payments users hit 33M, transactions nearly double

Customers in more than 170 countries used the payment processing platform in 2016, with transaction volume peaking on Cyber Monday.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

FedEx targets SMB sellers — and Amazon — with inventory storage and fulfillment service

Businesses using the new FedEx Fulfillment e-commerce platform will be able to store their products at the shipper's warehouses.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

Saving the sale: New ideas for averting cart abandonment

Retailers lose trillions of dollars each year to the scourge of abandoned online shopping carts. But new weapons are helping merchants turn lost sales into wins.  

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

Google, H&M's Ivyrevel team on app to design data-driven dresses

The Android app leverages Google’s Awareness API and Snapshot API to discover and collect lifestyle insight to come up with apparel inspired by the consumer's activities and habits.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 6, 2017

Report: Amazon developing two-story grocery store staffed by robots

The prototype store's top level would install robots to pick out goods to bring to shoppers, while the lower floor would offer produce and other items that consumers tend to prefer to choose themselves.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 6, 2017

Propulse debuts AI-based shopper recommendation platform

The startup's Purchase Path Neural Network platform analyzes thousands of product image variables to determine what the shopper is looking for.  

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 2, 2017

Google ends pilot of Hands Free payment app

Hands Free relies on WiFi, Bluetooth and location services to help connect users to participating retailers, letting them complete purchases just by saying the phrase "I'll pay with Google."

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 2, 2017

NRF: Mobile initiatives top of mind for retailers in 2017

More than half of retailers say mobile initiatives are among their top three priorities in 2017, following a year in which mobile sales accounted for about 30% of online sales and 47% of online traffic.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2017

Newegg online showcase sells products from Indiegogo-funded entrepreneurs

The retailer is planning to launch a page on its e-commerce site dedicated to showcasing products financed via crowdfunding campaigns.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2017

Starbucks rolls out remote voice ordering, new Alexa skill

The coffeehouse chain's customers may now order items by voice through devices powered by Amazon's Alexa digital assistant technology.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2017

Ikea planning customizable 'open source' sofa design

The Delaktig sofa would allow customers to turn the sofa into a bed, clip a lamp onto it or attach a side table, among other actions.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2017

Amazon patents package packing robot to speed shipment prep

The e-commerce giant already has at least 45,000 robots working in its supply chain alongside human employees.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2017

Postmates edges into on-demand alcohol delivery

Customers in San Francisco and Los Angeles may order beer, wine and spirits from a range of participating local liquor stores, and their purchase is delivered in 25 minutes or less. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2017

Amazon up to 250 Dash buttons after latest program additions

Consumers can now order products from Dash partners including Seventh Generation, Colgate, Emergen-C, Kingsford, Lifestyles and Rogaine.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2017

Target readying in-store mobile payment services

Chief Information and Digital Officer Michael McNamara suggested payment features would be added to Target's popular Cartwheel app.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 25, 2017

Amazon launches STEM toys monthly subscription service

The science, technology, engineering and math toys will be curated from a list of products that have recently launched or are exclusive to Amazon and fit the age range selected.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2017

Amazon reportedly closing in on Alexa-powered paid voice search

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners indicates that 8.2 million U.S. Amazon customers now have Alexa-enabled Echo devices, and about two-thirds use the devices for information queries, including searches.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2017

How retailers can steer clear of ADA lawsuits

Core retail technologies can present accessibility problems for shoppers who are blind or visually impaired. But merchants can reduce the risk of legal action.

By Sue J. Stott, Amanda J. Beane and Jill L. Ripke • Jan. 23, 2017

Amazon rolls out Prime Surprise Sweets via Dash program

Each Prime Surprise Sweets box costs $18 and contains a random assortment of small-batch candy made by artisans from across the U.S.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2017

Sears unveils IBM Watson-driven AI tire shopping app

Digital Tire Journey leverages Watson's Natural Language Classifier service to help auto owners obtain recommendations that take into account their personal needs and driving habits.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2017

Flirtey lands $16M in new funding to feed drone delivery ambitions

The startup has already demonstrated its delivery capabilities in partnership with 7-Eleven, but it now faces more competition in the space.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 19, 2017