Facebook buys omnichannel customer service startup Kustomer for reported $1B

Kustomer's focus on supporting customers' online conversations with businesses advances Facebook's efforts to expand into social commerce.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 1, 2020

Shopping apps hit record 2.8M installs on Black Friday: report

Companies spread out deals in the weeks leading up to Black Friday which resulted in a surge of first-time installs of retail apps. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 1, 2020

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

Francesca’s launches app

The apparel retailer is moving forward with a new channel to engage shoppers as speculation over a possible bankruptcy lingers. 

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 30, 2020

Drive business growth with machine learning personalization

Studies show that organizations that have implemented personalization have seen 5-15% increases in revenue.

Nov. 30, 2020

Winners and losers of Black Friday 2020

Online sales, curbside and store pickup all surged as a sales event defined by the pandemic took shape. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 28, 2020

Black Friday 2020 online sales on pace to grow as much as 42%

While COVID-19 rages across the U.S., consumers are staying home — but still shopping. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 27, 2020

Walmart boosts shoppable videos with Tastemade cooking shows

Tastemade's "Struggle Meals" series lets viewers text an on-screen number to add suggested ingredients to a virtual shopping cart.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Study: Most retailers will boost ad spend on Facebook next year

Ninety-three percent of retail brands currently buy ads on the social network, Smarly.io found, despite a media boycott against it over the summer.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 24, 2020

Walgreens revamps app, loyalty program

Mobile users can now chat with a pharmacist, book medical care and vaccination appointments and obtain real-time flu alerts. 

By Kaarin Moore • Nov. 24, 2020

Walmart adds to its last-mile arsenal with acquisition of startup assets

The retailer will purchase select properties, including talent and technology, from peer-to-peer delivery firm JoyRun.

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 24, 2020

TJX retailers launch ‘Carol for a Cause’ holiday campaign

In an effort to raise money for Feeding America, the brands are encouraging consumers to use Instagram Reels to record videos of themselves caroling.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 23, 2020

Study: Two-thirds of shoppers concerned about holiday data breaches

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced reluctant shoppers to spend online, but many remain concerned about cybersecurity risks.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 19, 2020

RadioShack brand acquired by new owner of Pier 1, Modell's IP

Retail Ecommerce Ventures has been on a buying spree of distressed retail intellectual property. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 19, 2020

Joann rolls out BOPIS tech that identifies order pickup time

The retailer introduced technology that gives a customer ETA on pickups and prioritizes fulfillment based on those arrival times.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 18, 2020

Gap, H&M open mobile storefronts on Group Nine’s new Swipe.Shop platform

The publisher of NowThis and Thrillist will provide 20 million impressions' worth of free ad space to 10 small businesses affected by the pandemic.

By Robert Williams • Nov. 17, 2020

Best Buy taps Instacart for same-day deliveries

The platform will now also guarantee high-priced purchases delivered from the retailer.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Facebook debuts shoppable livestreams with Anne Klein

The social network kicked off a four-part "Celebrate the Holidays" series of live shopping events with the fashion company.  

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Nordstrom brings Santa visits virtual

Customers can video call with Santa, for a fee, or deliver letters to the department store's locations in person or via curbside pickup.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 17, 2020

Amazon expands in-garage delivery to 4K cities

The company is also adding grocery options in five cities, which allows Prime members to receive orders from Whole Foods or Amazon Fresh to their garage.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 16, 2020

5 ways retailers have adapted to a Black Friday unlike any other

Curbside sales, staggered discounts, websites that hold your place in line — retailers are reinventing Black Friday for a pandemic. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Nov. 16, 2020

Walmart taps self-driving vehicle startup Cruise for autonomous deliveries

The collaboration is part of the mass merchant's effort to modernize deliveries and lessen environmental impact.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 12, 2020

Lululemon to sell Mirror devices in stores, add community features

The home workout platform, which the athletics retailer acquired in the midst of the pandemic, will be initially available at 18 stores this holiday season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 11, 2020

Nuro nets $500M in new funding

The autonomous delivery company is planning on a commercial rollout of its fully self-driving vehicle in the coming months. 

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 11, 2020

Guitar Center looks to inspire music buffs with new social video series

A series featuring 25 musicians could help the retailer reach potential customers as it prepares for an unusual holiday season.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 10, 2020

NBCUniversal ramps up shoppable content with new platform, PayPal deal

One Platform Commerce unifies the broadcaster's e-commerce efforts as consumers are shopping online and brands seek alternatives to pricey TV ads.

By Aaron Baar • Nov. 10, 2020