5 directions retail tech is headed in 2014

It’s not going to be enough to embrace the dazzling advances in technology now available — retailers have to get it right.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

Could facial recognition tech catch on in retail?

A common law enforcement tool can also catch shoplifters, spot celebrities, or just recognize a retailer's biggest fans — sending a text when they arrive.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

Explore the Trendline➔

How retailers are deploying in-store technology

Payment systems, self-checkout stations and home visualization tech are just a few of the areas getting attention from retailers as they rethink the store experience.

By Retail Dive staff

Consumers find value in Facebook before, during, and after shopping

In a small survey, a vast majority of shoppers found Facebook posts at least somewhat useful, and many actually bothered to post about their shopping experience.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

Is 'Twitter Commerce' almost here?

An intriguing, prototype-ish 'buy' button for Twitter users was discovered on online retailer Fancy, but has disappeared from public view.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 3, 2014

GameStop thinks customers have all day

The gaming retailer's m-commerce page is almost as fun as Tomb Raider, but it takes a whopping 13 seconds to load.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 31, 2014

Is hack-proof payment a technological unicorn?

Recent credit card breaches at major retailers are underscoring the need for fraud-free payment systems, but that search may never end.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

Target vendor the likely conduit for thieving malware

The investigation into the massive data breach at one of the world’s largest retailers has narrowed, revealing vulnerabilities in retailers' B2B connections.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

Amazon may provide payments for brick-and-mortar stores

A variety of Kindle-based systems and services may or may not come to pass, according to unnamed sources.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

Bitcoin dealt a blow in New York

Officials in the empire state say it’s time to saddle bitcoin with some regulation, raising questions about its usefulness.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2014

Videogame retailers playing hardball with online competition

To keep gamers coming to their stores, GameStop and other retailers are fighting digital distribution of games, and fighting hard.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 29, 2014

Many retailers already capable of taking safer credit and debit cards

Contrary to what many believe, many retailers are ready with point-of-sale systems that take payments resistant to fraud — customers just don't have the new cards.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Customers expect more in exchange for their data

Research shows that consumers will trade access to their social media, location, and mobile information only for favorable pricing, shipping, and return policies.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 28, 2014

Banks report data breach at Michaels stores

The crafts-store chain is the latest to disclose that customers’ credit and debit card information was possibly compromised.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Enhanced e-commerce site search technology pays off

Gallery Furniture says implementing Nextopia’s e-commerce site search, navigation, and merchandising system has improved conversion rates by 35%.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

Could iTunes be your next mobile payment option for everything?

Apple is exploring expansion of its iTunes payment system to allow users to pay for things at other retailers and more, unnamed sources told the Wall Street Journal.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 27, 2014

TigerDirect the latest to take bitcoin

The electronics e-retailer says it wants to give customers an alternative way to shop and pay, and will sell hardware to mint more.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

Neiman Marcus admits broader extent of breach

The disclosure comes as the FBI warns retailers of more trouble with payment system hacks.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

More and more customers open email on their phones

Retailers, be ready: The trend is growing, with some 65% of email opened on smartphones or tablets, two studies show.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2014

iBeacon is here, but where is it going?

As the customer location tech is further developed and in more stores, how well it works for retailers and consumers alike remains to be seen.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Amazon enjoys consumer trust despite its massive data trove

McCann Worldgroup’s most recent study shows the online retailer attains a level of trust not shared by the government, Facebook, or Google.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Brink's to begin e-retail payment processing

The company’s trustworthy name may give it a boost in a crowded and confusing field.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2014

Best Buy getting its head out of the cloud

The company is selling its MindShift Technologies unit to Japan’s Ricoh in order to focus on electronics retailing.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Sears to close Chicago Loop store

Shuttering its flagship outlet in its flagship city holds special meaning for Sears as it tries to stem its losses.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2014

Thule drastically improves its e-commerce site

The Swedish bike and ski gear company saw sales rise after making it easier for retailers to order online.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2014

Outdoor gear retailer Altrec files for bankruptcy

The Oregon-based online retailer says a credit-card breach two years ago sparked its financial woes.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2014