Ntwrk's shopping festivals highlight the potential of livestream commerce

Opting for cultural connection over awareness, big brands like Mtn Dew and Adidas create memorable moments with fans by selling limited-edition merch in livestreams hosted by celebrities.

By Robert Williams • June 25, 2021

Will virtual fitting rooms push Walmart to the fashion forefront?

The big-box retailer and other brands have joined the space in hopes consumers find the perfect fit before purchase.

By Maria Monteros • June 24, 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

Facebook expands Shops feature to WhatsApp, adds AR try-on to Instagram

The social network will begin testing a new AI-based visual search tool on Instagram amid its bid to improve the social commerce experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 24, 2021

Consumers adapt to omnichannel payments, survey finds

Although a majority of customers surveyed shopped online in 2020, a "slight majority" across all regions still prefers in-person shopping, the survey showed.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 24, 2021

NPD: 51% of Facebook and Instagram users bought products while scrolling

The two companies ranked the highest in a list of platforms where consumers discover and purchase products, a report indicates.

By Maria Monteros • June 23, 2021

NTWRK hires Foot Locker exec as first chief marketer

The new CMO steps in as livestream platforms are raising capital and the U.S. livestream market is poised for growth.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 22, 2021

Virtual shopping startup Hero launches short-form video feature

The tool allows store employees and product experts to create shoppable videos and tag the products featured within the app.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 21, 2021

Visa's Tap to Phone pilot comes to the US

The new payment option allows merchants to convert their android smartphones into point-of-sale systems to accept tap payments.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 21, 2021

Enabling limitless commerce possibilities for your enterprise

As consumers embrace online shopping as part of daily life, all companies are trying to figure out how to take advantage of the rise in digital commerce.

June 21, 2021

Walmart invests in DroneUp

The retailer tested hundreds of deliveries of COVID-19 test kits last year. Now it's seeking drone delivery at scale.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 18, 2021

Shopify to offer Shop Pay to all Facebook, Google merchants

The move makes the tool available to sellers across platforms — even those who don't use Shopify's online store. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 18, 2021

FedEx, Nuro sign multi-year deal to test autonomous last-mile delivery

The partnership gives FedEx a last-mile solution to complement its other investments like drones and delivery robots.

By Edwin Lopez • June 17, 2021

What can DTCs gain from online marketplaces?

While online marketplaces offer digital natives benefits like reaching new customers, brands may forfeit control over key aspects of the customer experience.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 17, 2021

Neiman Marcus Group launches $500M tech investment spree

Plans are to snap up home and fashion SaaS platform Stylyze, the first of many moves as the department store focuses squarely on e-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • Updated June 17, 2021

An influential critic of Amazon and big tech now chairs the FTC

Lina Khan was counsel for a House committee that scrutinized tech platforms and entered the spotlight with a paper that took aim at Amazon's market power.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 16, 2021

Amazon to open its first Fresh supermarket with checkout-free technology

The 25,000-square-foot store, set to open Thursday in Bellevue, Washington, is the largest Amazon retail location equipped with the Just Walk Out system. 

By Sam Silverstein • June 15, 2021

Robotics efforts from Amazon, Alibaba highlight e-commerce's automated future

Amazon's new robots increase automation within fulfillment centers while Alibaba is focused on last-mile delivery as they look to optimize operations.

By Edwin Lopez • June 15, 2021

Verishop introduces livestream shopping

Retailers and social media platforms are vying for a share of the livestream shopping market, which is forecast to reach $25 billion by 2023. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 15, 2021

Klarna raises $639M, eyes international expansion

Klarna, now with a $45 billion market valuation, aims to expand its global market share and in-store buy now, pay later options.

By Vaidik Trivedi • June 14, 2021

Grabango raises $39M in Series B funding

The checkout-free tech company plans to use the funds to bolster its computer vision capabilities as it competes with rivals like Standard Cognition and Amazon.

By Sam Silverstein • June 14, 2021

What's next for Lululemon's tech ambitions?

A year ago, the retailer acquired Mirror. But patents reveal that the at-home fitness technology is perhaps just the beginning of a new chapter of innovation. 

By Kaarin Moore • June 14, 2021

How Jo-Ann Stores uses modern solutions to make sourcing truly strategic

Despite the growing strategic significance of sourcing, many enterprises still rely on manual workflows and legacy tools for sourcing, contracts, and supplier engagement.

June 14, 2021

AI and agents: The new retail CX power couple

This power couple can generate some staggering results—if you work to minimize technology silos, maximize opportunities for collaboration.

June 14, 2021

Livestream shopping app ShopShops raises $15M for US expansion

Retailers, social networks and other livestream shopping platforms are vying for a share of the emerging livestream commerce market.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 11, 2021

GameStop fills CEO, CFO spots with former Amazon execs

The retailer has filled out its leadership ranks with e-commerce veterans as it undertakes an overhaul of its model. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 10, 2021