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

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

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

Creating wish lists is now a leisure-time activity

Retailers are responding with apps that help shoppers detail their holiday wants. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 16, 2015

A year after Apple Pay, where do mobile payments stand?

While Apple Pay has sparked a movement towards mobile payments, slow EMV conversion is holding widespread adoption back.

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 12, 2015

Is 'shop and scan' the way of the future? 6 retail experts weigh in

To eliminate one of the biggest inconveniences of physical stores, retailers are giving shoppers the power to be their own cashiers. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Nov. 12, 2015

New 'Tally' robot designed to rapidly take stock of store shelves

Using high-res images, units can perform stock functions 25 times faster than humans. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 12, 2015

Instagram to amp up ads with 41 tech partners

The platform will help marketers manage campaigns and build engagement. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 11, 2015

Mobile tech still a challenge for many retailers

Rapid change stymies stores looking to create a seamless customer experience between channels. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 10, 2015

How Elle is using beacons to drive retail store visits

Elle prompted 500,000 in-store visits in five weeks with its new program.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 10, 2015

Retailers' use of facial recognition tech igniting privacy debates

Wal-Mart, which is among the few retailers willing to admit it’s testing the technology, says it doesn’t have an ROI.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 10, 2015

Facebook's new tool helps retailers measure foot traffic and trends

The move reflects the social network's 360-degree push into retail commerce. 

By Barbara Thau • Nov. 6, 2015

Walgreens is first retailer to incorporate Apple Pay into rewards program

The move advances Apple Pay's lead in the battle for mobile-wallet supremacy.

By Barbara Thau • Nov. 6, 2015

Wal-Mart, Peapod sync up with Amazon Dash-like Hiku

The gadget lets customers scan and voice their shopping lists, similar to Amazon's Dash buttons and Echo speaker. 

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 5, 2015

Levi's taps into massive amounts of store data with Intel tech

The cloud service delivers omnichannel insights from activity at its San Francisco flagship store. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Nov. 4, 2015

Google gears up for drone delivery by 2017

The move comes as retailers from Amazon to Wal-Mart explore these unmanned aircraft systems as the answer to instant package delivery.

By Barbara Thau • Nov. 4, 2015