How programmatic marketing continues to revolutionize media buys

Automated systems have conquered marketers' early misgivings to dominate digital spend. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 20, 2015

Amazon's Echo now allows voice-activated reorders

But the speaker/assistant system only offers merchandise orders to U.S. Prime members, so far. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 15, 2015

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

Messaging apps lead mobile usage in most key markets: study

While the rest of the world favors mobile messaging apps, the U.S. depends on social media with Facebook and Instagram leading. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 14, 2015

Square introduces 'cashtags' for URL payments

The payments system now lets users set the exact payment amount in a unique URL. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 12, 2015

Google: Almost half of video ads go unseen

YouTube ads perform somewhat better, the search engine reports. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 12, 2015

IBM to assist with Facebook's ad targeting

The software giant will contribute to the data driving Facebook's targeting tools. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 7, 2015

Zulily redesigns website for improved personalization

The site will now deliver offers customized to users' needs. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 7, 2015

Tight squeeze: How marketers can cope with Apple Watch's limited real estate

With just over one square inch of interface, the wearable favors simplified apps.  

By Ian P. Murphy • May 6, 2015

Mobile boost at RetailMeNot not enough, not yet

A Google algorithm change to favor mobile-optimized websites, which has dinged the coupon site’s fortunes, could ultimately help in the future, the company says.

By Daphne Howland • May 6, 2015

Fast-growing startup Boomerang Commerce scores 3 big-name clients

Groupon, Office Depot, and Sears will use the startup's omnichannel pricing analysis.

By Ian P. Murphy • May 6, 2015

Macy's promotes Mother's Day via social

The department store will donate $3 for every post to Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 5, 2015

Pinterest to allow access to API

The discovery platform will allow select developers to build third-party apps for the system. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 5, 2015

Kohl's sees dramatic growth in app users

The retailer's loyalty program has helped Kohl's beat Uber, Nike, and Tinder in growth. 

By Ian P. Murphy • May 4, 2015

Bitcoin startup Circle wins $50 million in venture capital

Goldman Sachs, IDG fund virtual currency startup. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 30, 2015

Amazon adds Apple Watch functions to mobile app

The top e-retailer joins QVC, Target, and others in adding wearable functionalities. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 30, 2015

E-commerce startup Lyst raises $40M for global growth

Lyst aggregates retailers for customers on its site, making it easy to browse, compare prices, and buy through a unified cart.

By Daphne Howland • April 30, 2015

When push comes to buy: Leveraging the power of the push notification

Push alerts have emerged as a favorite mobile-native marketing tool and a way to directly interact with the customer. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 29, 2015

Bigcommerce to buy Zing to help compete with Shopify

But Bigcommerce still trails rival Shopify in its number of merchant partners. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 27, 2015

Mobile wallet users interested in Apple Pay: study

Interest, satisfaction in the iOS system outpaces PayPal.  

By Ian P. Murphy • April 27, 2015

Twitter invests in beacon marketing startup Swirl

The startup received $18 million from Twitter and others in its latest funding round.

By Ian P. Murphy • April 24, 2015

NetSuite to buy email marketing firm Bronto Software for $200M

NetSuite's e-commerce platform plans to bolster its offering with Bronto's e-mail marketing capabilities.  

By Ian P. Murphy • April 24, 2015

The hidden risk of EMV conversion: E-retail fraud

While the adoption of more chip-and-PIN readers and cards are likely to slash fraud onsite, e-commerce may pick up the slack. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 23, 2015

Amazon's newest delivery frontier: Customers' car trunks

Audi and DHL have partnered with the e-retailer to offer keyless access to Prime members' trunks. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 23, 2015

Mobile drives surge in digital advertising: IAB

Digital spend reached nearly $50 billion in 2014, with retailers leading the growth. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 23, 2015

IoT will carry new cybersecurity challenges: Booz Allen

Retailers will need to have an "active defense" to head off breaches. 

By Ian P. Murphy • April 22, 2015