Voice-activated assistant market poised to boom — and Amazon has a huge lead

EMarketer projects Amazon’s Echo speaker will attract a 70.6% share of the voice-activated assistant device market, which is projected to grow 129% over last year.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Aldo overhauls digital marketing with focus on engagement

The shoe retailer is transforming its website and mobile interface with a focus on engaging marketing over transactions.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

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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

Target to pilot next-day delivery for loyalty members

Using Target Restock, REDcard holders will be able to visit a dedicated online experience to order household essentials and convenience products for home delivery.

By Dan O'Shea • May 8, 2017

Ink Cards pencils in Pinterest for Mother’s Day app install campaign

While the ad format is still relatively new to the social platform, results suggest costs are lower and the audience may be wider than expected.   

By Chantal Tode • May 8, 2017

Jeff Bezos: Artificial intelligence permeates Amazon’s business strategy

The founder and CEO of Amazon said machine learning tech has the potential to improve search results, product recommendations for customers and inventory management, among other things.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Report: Forever 21 plots beauty buildout with Riley Rose stores

The fast-fashion retailer is betting on growth in the beauty segment by opening at least nine freestanding beauty stores under the new brand by the end of the year.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Survey: Consumers want more biometric payment options

Nearly 80% of those surveyed said they want more biometric authentication methods beyond fingerprint authentication to access mobile banking or payment apps, EyeVerify found.

By Dan O'Shea • May 7, 2017

Wal-Mart's IoT patent takes aim at Amazon Dash

The platform, which aims to track how consumer products are used in homes, is designed to automatically order when products are depleted or need replacement.

By Daphne Howland • May 5, 2017

Anti-fraud tech firm Signifyd raises $56M in Series C funding

The company received major investments from Bain Capital Ventures, Menlo Ventures and American Express.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Amazon unveils plans for vast UK tech development center

The center, slated to open in the fall, will focus on work related to devices like the Kindle, Echo Look and others.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Best Buy, Vivint plug in to smart home space

The companies will soon offer smart home products at more than 400 Best Buy stores, as well as in-store expert advice, and design and installation services.

By Dan O'Shea • May 4, 2017

Ikea: What do shoppers want in artificial intelligence?

The Swedish retailer recently launched a survey asking consumers whether AI should be human-like, if it should be male, female or gender-neutral, and even if it should be religious.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Report: Gift cards increasingly targeted in latest evolution of security attacks

Criminals are capable of using a variety of methods, including fast, automated bots to crack the serial numbers of gift cards, according to Flashpoint.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Apple Pay transactions surged 450% over the past year

CEO Tim Cook touted the numbers on a call with analysts, although he did not reveal the total number of Apple Pay users, nor the amount of revenue the company earns from Apple Pay.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

UPS, Sealed Air debut Packaging Innovation Center

The facility aims to help solve packaging and shipping challenges facing e-commerce retailers by maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, reducing shipping costs and increasing brand affinity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Facebook tests mobile retail rewards feature

The new program allows users to scan a personalized QR code to receive benefits when purchasing items at participating brick-and-mortar stores.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Lululemon takes aim at reinventing the sports bra

The athletic apparel retailer's Enlite sports bra leverages scientific thinking about bra design and uses a proprietary lightweight fabric for high-performance activity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Amazon, eBay, Target and Google Maps ditch Apple Watch apps

The big brands' retreat from WatchOS support comes as consumer interest in smart watches wanes. 

By Chantal Tode • May 2, 2017

Minimize CNP fraud to maximize mCommerce revenue

Adapting data based fraud prevention processes can provide users with a seamless shopping experience and mitigate instances of false declines on mobile.

May 2, 2017

Crocs, Quicksilver leverage new SPS Commerce analytics tool

The new capability, as well as enhancements to its sourcing platform, combines retail point-of-sale and inventory data with external information across channels.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Meitu taps Bretman Rock to curate virtual makeup looks

The augmented reality app uses proprietary facial recognition to map users' features to offer precise and natural virtual makeup application.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Softbank software reprograms robot Pepper for customization

The new software suite was designed with the non-technical user in mind and will let businesses customize Pepper without the need for expensive technical overhead, development or prowess.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

Gap CIO stresses fast decision-making during technology transformation

Paul Chapman spoke at the Forbes CIO Summit about the organizational changes he's brought to the retailer's IT team, including integrating corporate and e-commerce IT resources.

By Dan O'Shea • April 30, 2017

Oracle adds chatbot, AI capabilities to customer experience suite

Leveraging mobile video and social messaging innovations, the suite facilitates better engagement with customers on marketing and service support fronts.

By Dan O'Shea • April 30, 2017

Starbucks brews growth with bet on mobile ordering and payments

The company said 1,800 of its U.S. stores had 20% or more of peak transactions from Mobile Order & Pay near the end of the quarter.

By Dan O'Shea • April 30, 2017