IBM Watson to power Staples' 'Easy Button'

Thanks to virtual assistant technology, Staples’ silly toy is now a real boy.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2016

How the Techstars + Target accelerator transformed retail startup Blueprint Registry

This summer, the Techstars startup accelerator turned its focus to retail innovation. The 10 firms accepted into the program learned a range of lessons — and host Target learned a few new tricks, too.  

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2016

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

MasterCard getting into AI game with chatbots for merchants, banks

Consumers will be able to shop and process transactions on messaging platforms, and check out with the Masterpass digital wallet, all through a merchant's bot.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2016

Amazon adds Dash Buttons for 60 more brands

There are now more than 200 different Dash Buttons available, and Amazon claims sales through the one-touch automated ordering program have increased by five times over the last year.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 25, 2016

PayPal adds new payment features through Facebook Messenger

The payments company will make it easier for consumers to link their PayPal accounts to the social networking giant's services.  

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2016

Google teams with Visa, MasterCard to expand Android Pay checkout

Starting next year, Android Pay will be available at online merchants that already accept Visa Checkout and Masterpass digital wallet platforms.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2016

Under Armour unveils Curry 3 shoe, touts new fabric tech

The shoe promises advances in directional strength as well as innovations in fit, impact absorption and traction.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 23, 2016

Cyberattacks knock out Etsy, Shopify, others as e-commerce security fears mount

Hacker group New World Hackers unloaded 1.2 trillion bits of data traffic on web domain company Dyn's servers, making its customers' sites crash.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 23, 2016

Stripe strikes back at rising e-commerce fraud with AI monitoring

With EMV chip card and terminal protections starting to reduce in-store payment fraud, the retail sector's attention is turning toward the growing issue of e-commerce fraud.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 20, 2016

CVS rolls out mobile payments to Pharmacy app nationwide

The company is going all-in on its app after piloting the feature for just two months earlier this year in the New York City metro area.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2016

Why retailers' cybersecurity vulnerabilities could hurt holiday sales

Merchants keep falling prey to cybercrime, but retail executives keep diverting attention and funding elsewhere. The problem is it could cost them customers — in some cases, forever.

By Jason Ankeny • Oct. 19, 2016

Apple plans to transform brick-and-mortar stores into 'town squares'

Apple retail chief Angela Ahrendts has a vision to connect shoppers in a community experience.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 18, 2016

EBay debuts chatbot for Facebook Messenger

The e-commerce platform wants its new shopping assistant to learn how to find the right products from live customer search queries.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 18, 2016

5 ways to bring your store into the future

With online shopping becoming increasingly appealing to consumers, ensuring that your brick-and-mortar store is relevant and flexible is more important than ever.

Oct. 18, 2016

Under Armour, Fanatics reportedly score key MLB licensing deal

The brands are slated to produce on-field jerseys for Major League Baseball beginning in 2020, displacing current licensees Nike and Majestic Athletic.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 17, 2016

EBay launches Collective curated antiques, art marketplace

The effort uses visual search artificial intelligence and image recognition technologies to curate products on an interactive platform.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 17, 2016

Alibaba delivery partner ZTO Express readies big NYSE IPO

The Chinese logistics firm derived 75% of its business during the first half of 2016 delivering parcels for Alibaba.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 16, 2016

Instacart revives online tipping following customer outcry

The grocery delivery service eliminated tipping capabilities last month in an effort to increase and guarantee shoppers consistent earnings per delivery.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 16, 2016

Researcher: Thousands of shopping sites hacked, card data skimmed

Multiple culprits likely were able to skim credit cards used at online stores run by retailers, consumer brands, automakers, government entities and other parties.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 13, 2016

Amazon adds toys to Alexa's repertoire in time for holiday shopping

Consumers can now use the Alexa voice-activated virtual assistant software to shop for toys available through Amazon Prime.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 13, 2016

Vera Bradley suffers hack of in-store payment systems

The women's accessories retailer revealed that customer payment cards used at its brick-and-mortar locations this summer may have been compromised.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 12, 2016

Alibaba's Ant aims to let virtual reality users pay with a nod

VR Pay users can enter password text through head movements, touch or simply staring at a point on virtual display.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 12, 2016

Crate and Barrel turns to tablets to enhance in-store experience

Customers are given a store-provided Mobile Tote for scanning product barcodes for more information, as well as searching items and adding them to a wishlist.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 11, 2016

GE unveils dishwasher integrated with Amazon Dash Replenishment

The dishwasher tracks detergent pod usage by counting wash cycles, and when the supply runs low, it automatically reorders more.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 11, 2016

How mobile is transforming product search — and why voice may be next

Often overshadowed by flashier digital innovations, search remains the foundation of online shopper satisfaction. But search deficiencies on mobile are leaving customers feeling lost.

By Jason Ankeny • Oct. 11, 2016