Personal-shopper platform Scratch gets $3.6M in funding

The e-commerce app offers users shopping recommendations from live experts. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 17, 2015

Google adds 'buy' function to mobile search ads

The feature, dubbed Purchases on Google, will help streamline mobile conversion and checkout. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 16, 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

Birchbox to deliver VR experience to male subscribers

The virtual reality selections included in each box will contain a Google Cardboard viewer and videos.  

By Ian P. Murphy • July 16, 2015

Apple Pay gets ho-hum reception in the UK

Contactless payments are old news in the United Kingdom, and on Apple Pay’s debut, British users took to social media to express their opinions. 

By Daphne Howland • July 15, 2015

Rakuten buys virtual fitting room company Fits.Me

Fits.Me offers 'robot mannequins' to help shoppers visualize how apparel items might fit. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 14, 2015

UPDATE: eBay to sell eBay Enterprise for $925M

The news comes as eBay prepares for its imminent split from PayPal.

By Daphne Howland • July 13, 2015

Search still growing in digital ad dollars

The strategy is a proven indicator of buyer intent. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 13, 2015

Facebook's mobile network delivers lower costs for advertisers

Impressions and install ads cost less than the social network's news feed. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 13, 2015

Millennials look to native apps for shopping ease: survey

Multibrand retailers Amazon, Etsy, and Wanelo are among the top app downloads. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 10, 2015

Pinterest's first partners facilitate mobile pinning

Polyvore and IFTTT will help Pinterest build content and engagement. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 9, 2015

French startup SlimPay wins $16.6M in financing

The service streamlines direct debit recurring payments. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 8, 2015

Twitter's ads companion helps manage campaigns via mobile

The app offers marketers metrics and adjustments on the fly. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 7, 2015

Why the Internet of Things won't be about the 'things'

Smart devices will unleash a wave of new customer data, according to James McQuivey, vice president of research and principal analyst at Forrester Research.

By Ian P. Murphy • July 2, 2015

MasterCard testing facial-recognition for in-store purchases

Some cybersecurity experts questioned the move on security as well as privacy concerns. 

By Daphne Howland • July 2, 2015

Pinterest's 'Buy it' buttons go live

Although only available on iOS for now, retailers like Macy’s and Nordstrom will use the tool to reach Pinterest's growing user base. 

By Ian P. Murphy • July 1, 2015

Apple loses appeal of e-book antitrust ruling

The deal between publishers and Apple that landed the tech giant in antitrust court was born out of a fear of Amazon’s hardcore commitment to low book prices.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2015

Lilly Pulitzer offers special Snapchat filters to in-store shoppers

Users can apply the brand's bright prints to their Snapchat photos when shopping. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 30, 2015

Online price-tracking startup Indix raises $15M

The company supplies price-tracking software to e-commerce companies. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 29, 2015

Lululemon taps new exec to grow its e-commerce operations

Miguel Almeida has spent the last six years at Walgreens, where he was group vice president for digital and mobile solutions.

By Daphne Howland • June 29, 2015

Vertical Mass wants to help entertainers, brands target fans

The startup will crunch data to see where fans interact online. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 26, 2015

Analytics startup Celect gets $5M to help retailers 'truly understand' customers

The firm says it can help retailers boost online sales by 20% and in-store sales by 7% with its algorithms.

By Daphne Howland • June 26, 2015

Amazon alums debut personal shopping app

Mona personalizes search results with data mined from consumers' email.

By Ian P. Murphy • June 25, 2015

Instagram unveils enhanced search functions

The image-sharing site will suggest trending locations and hashtags to users. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 24, 2015

Amazon's voice assistant Echo speaker now widely available

The device lets users order on Amazon with voice-activated commands, and has wowed many tech writers with its sleek design and overall performance.

By Daphne Howland • June 24, 2015

CVS to double digital team with new innovation lab

The Boston unit will function like a startup to enhance online and mobile initiatives for the retailer. 

By Ian P. Murphy • June 23, 2015