Fashion apparel makes a comeback, focus on digital deepens, and other 2021 predictions

The pandemic, and recovery from it, will likely define the year as consumers look to refresh their wardrobes and retailers hold on to new practices that worked, analysts say.

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 20, 2021

Costco is testing curbside pickup

After years of resisting the popular service, the club retailer is now offering it at three stores in New Mexico.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 20, 2021

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

How Dick's and Wayfair connect consumers with real-time inventory data

The pandemic upped the stakes for data accuracy, as well as the velocity and volume at which it needed to flow.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 19, 2021

Poshmark IPO illustrates ‘super-charged’ secondhand market

The secondhand digital marketplace saw shares more than double in its public debut. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 19, 2021

Mobile ad spending surged 26% in 2020 as pandemic fueled demand: report

Consumers also showed greater willingness to conduct transactions through their phones, spending $143 billion on mobile apps in 2020, per App Annie. 

By Peter Adams • Jan. 19, 2021

Getting sales tax ready for 2021: Simplifying sales tax compliance for retail companies

Given the lost revenue from COVID-19, states may consider looking for other revenue streams in the form of sales tax collections. Learn about the six key considerations when it comes to sales tax compliance in an ever-changing economic landscape. 

Jan. 19, 2021

3 I's that could reframe the future of retail

Move beyond the traditional definitions of customer centricity and work to become truly integrated into the life of the customer.

Jan. 18, 2021

Nike’s apps played crucial role in driving engagement, 2020 digital sales growth

Its app suite underscores a philosophy of accessibility for shoppers, while helping Nike gather data on purchasing habits, personal information and exercise routines that can inform future marketing.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 15, 2021

Mastercard pilot turns smartphones into a point-of-sale device

Expansion into the contactless tech space has accelerated due to the pandemic and is expected to continue. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 14, 2021

Hudson to introduce Amazon’s Just Walk Out tech in airport stores

The tech, which doesn't require shoppers to download an app, will first appear at Dallas Love Field Airport. Additional rollouts are planned for later this year. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 14, 2021

UPS, Verizon, Skyward partner on 5G drone delivery in Florida

Many details on the partnership have yet to be disclosed, but the companies say 5G will be important to scaling delivery fleets.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

Ads on Facebook may not be that important for brands after all, Forrester data shows

An analyst with the research firm studied what happened when companies pulled their advertising from the social platform during a boycott last year. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 13, 2021

Walmart to test refrigerated boxes that store grocery orders outside homes

The secure, internet-connected units can hold items at various temperatures and use ultraviolet light to kill viruses, mold and mildew.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 13, 2021

Affirm IPO hits $1.2B

The buy now, pay later tech company announced an initial public offering stock price of $49, but opened at nearly $100 on its first day of trading.

By Daphne Howland , Kaarin Moore • Updated Jan. 19, 2021

Amazon, Walmart dominate shopping app downloads in 2020: report

Target, eBay and Wayfair also made the top 10 list as consumers increasingly rely on mobile as a shopping channel, per Apptopia. 

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 11, 2021

Beauty tech company Perfect Corp. raises $50M

The developer of virtual beauty app YouCam Makeup will use the Series C funds to further invest in AI technology and global expansion.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 7, 2021

FAA: New drone rules address safety, provide more operational flexibility

While the industry has seen a flurry of drone activity with UPS, Amazon Prime, Walmart and others, regulation and investment hurdles have precluded more widespread adoption for delivery operations.

By A.B. Brown • Jan. 7, 2021

Organized retail crime costs retailers nearly $720K per $1B in sales: NRF

Though retailers want stricter laws to address the problem, they're also investing more in tech to combat organized criminals themselves.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 6, 2021

Amazon buys 11 planes to boost airfreight capacity

The aircraft purchases come at a time when airfreight procurement has become increasingly difficult, and e-commerce demand is soaring.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 6, 2021

EBay targets mobile shoppers with holiday AR sweepstakes

The online marketplace teamed with NBA star Anthony Davis to promote the web-based game and give away 500 pairs of collectible sneakers.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 5, 2021

Consumers spent over $100B on mobile apps in 2020: report

As shopping shifted from in-store to online, mobile purchases reached record-breaking heights. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 5, 2021

Afterpay basket size jumps 30% over the holidays

The installment payments firm benefited from pandemic-induced behaviors in favor of contactless buying.

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 5, 2021

Pandemic-fueled omnichannel shopping surge here to stay: Nielsen

Buying across both store and online channels increased 50% in 2020 and doesn't show signs of slowing anytime soon, the data firm noted.

By Rosie Bradbury • Jan. 5, 2021

Walmart boosts new advertisers on media network by 40%

A self-serve platform that launched in January is now responsible for half of the retail chain's ad revenue from sponsored products.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 22, 2020

Study: Influencer impact up 57% amid shift to Instagram Stories, TikTok

While the number of Instagram #ad posts declined this year, sponsored Stories on the platform and TikTok activity rose, Klear found.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 22, 2020