Report: Amazon exploring launch of air-freight operations

The retailer may lease up to 25 planes in the next three years, reports the Wall Street Journal.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 21, 2015

Why beacons' bright light dimmed in 2015 — and what's next

Beacons were the hot tech of 2015 that no longer seem so alluring. But retailers with a broader mobile strategy could still find them useful.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2015

Explore the Trendline➔

Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

By Retail Dive staff

Retale set to deliver VR shopping app

The digital circulars company will introduce virtual showrooms with the help of Oculus Rift. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 17, 2015

PayPal unit Braintree now powers Facebook payments

Tokenized transactions will allow seamless order and payment between apps.

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 17, 2015

Target scrambles to revamp wish list app after security flaw exposed

Cybersecurity company Avast found the vulnerability that left shoppers’ personal information unprotected.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 17, 2015

IBM's Watson now providing e-commerce, marketing analytics

The supercomputer now answers plainspoken questions.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 15, 2015

Buy buttons met with lukewarm response, survey says

Few social media users express an interest in using them, according to GlobalWebIndex. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 9, 2015

E-commerce brings a boost to Girl Scout cookie sales

The organization stemmed sales declines with its first-ever Digital Cookie program.

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 9, 2015

Nordstrom ramps up tech investments with Shoes of Prey financing

Nordstrom’s tech savvy could set it apart from other department stores, many experts say. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 8, 2015

Behind Target's Cyber Monday troubles—and how retailers can avoid them

The retailer was likely hampered by legacy systems and shoppers made impatient by their phones. But its metering solution was not half bad, tech experts say.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 6, 2015

Zara to deck out some fitting rooms with iPads

The fast-fashion chain is testing high-tech convenience at physical locations in Spain. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 2, 2015

Amazon teases 'Prime Air' drone delivery fleet in video

The retailer plans to take to the skies worldwide with 30-minute deliveries. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 1, 2015

Kohl's sweepstakes dominates Twitter chatter over Black Friday weekend

The social promotion helped the retailer bring customers from their mobile phones to Kohl's stores. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Dec. 1, 2015

Massive hack of toy retailer VTech exposes children's data

The news could chill sales just when tech-based toys were poised to boost holiday toy sales.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 1, 2015

Despite risks, brands try out Periscope to reach millennials

Some brands are testing live streams despite the presence of hecklers.

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 30, 2015

Wal-Mart 'spending billions' on e-commerce overhaul

The retailer is building out its own technology and systems, but to what end?

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 30, 2015

The 'good' problem no one wants: How to avoid website crashes this holiday season

There are a few things that retailers can do to ensure that their sites have the capacities they need this season. 

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 25, 2015

Visa will power payments on a Swatch smartwatch

The company debuted a product earlier this month in China with another payments partner. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 25, 2015

Beacons not a factor on Black Friday—or any day so far

The real-time marketing technology hasn’t really panned out for retailers and won’t play much of a role in stores this holiday season.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 25, 2015

Tap-to-pay driving mobile wallet usage

Making payments and receiving money have decreased in usage.  

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 23, 2015

Lightspeed POS buys Dutch e-commerce startup

SEOShop a leading European producer of online storefronts. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 20, 2015

Square shares climb 45% after public offering

The company had muted its debut expectations, discounting its initial offer to less than 60% of its last valuation.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 20, 2015

Google targets mobile-first shoppers with Shopping redesign

Product searches now deliver multiple results and inventory information. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 20, 2015

Users say sponsored social media posts highly effective

Paid social media messaging beats everything but TV in a new survey. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 19, 2015

Survey: Retailers fail to respond to 83% of social media messages

Sprout Social's latest index finds customer engagement is lacking and misplaced. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 19, 2015