Can chatbots charm consumers?

Years after the technology looked like the next big thing in customer engagement, retailers and brands still need to be careful how it is employed.

By Dan O'Shea • April 17, 2019

Study: Mobile games better for brand safety than social media

They're also more effective at driving purchases, with 25% of respondents saying they bought a product after seeing an in-game ad.

By Robert Williams • April 16, 2019

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

Salesfloor enables consumers to shop stylists’ Instagram posts

Neiman Marcus has already integrated the mobile app's latest feature, SocialShop, to better connect with customers.

By Lisa Rowan • April 16, 2019

A majority of retailers struggle with inventory forecasting

A survey by Wakefield Research and Bossa Nova Robotics found 87% of respondents believe inaccurate inventory contributes more to revenue loss than theft.

By Matt Leonard • April 15, 2019

YSL journeys to Coachella with ‘beauty station’ pop-up

Along a highway near the festival, the activation includes virtual product sampling, lipstick customization, makeup tutorials and influencer content.

By Laura Klepacki • April 15, 2019

Target enters the shoppable recipe game with Cooklist

The pilot program in Dallas will allow shoppers to order ingredients for same-day delivery via Shipt.

By Jennifer Sweeney • April 15, 2019

Amazon buys robotics company Canvas Technology

The company specializes in autonomous carts and represents one of several deals focused on automating various aspects of e-commerce fulfillment.

By Matt Leonard • April 15, 2019

Puma’s latest sneakers come to life in AR app

Scanning the limited-edition sneakers unlocks photo and video filters, games and special effects that users can share on social media.

By Robert Williams • April 12, 2019

Walmart to acquire ad-tech startup Polymorph

The big box chain hopes to help brands connect with consumers in more cutting-edge ways as it tries to keep up with Amazon's quickly growing ad business.

By Chantal Tode • April 12, 2019

Walmart adds nearly 4K robots to stores

More retailers are adding machines to their workforces as automation gains traction.

By Caroline Jansen • April 10, 2019

Ikea, Sonos unveil 1st products in collaboration

The collection, which will be available beginning in August, further adds to the furniture retailer's tech offerings.

By Caroline Jansen • April 9, 2019

Bose brings audio AR shades and festival content to Coachella

Through the festival's core app, users can unlock exclusive content and hear concert lineups and updates.

By Robert Williams • April 9, 2019

Gen Z favors Vans, Lululemon and Amazon

American teens spend some $77 billion annually and many care about social issues, making them a powerful consumer group, per a Piper Jaffray survey.

By Daphne Howland • April 9, 2019

WhatsApp Business rolls out for iOS

An Android version of the app debuted last year and is currently used by more than five million businesses worldwide.

By Kaarin Moore • April 8, 2019

Report: Amazon readies Alexa-powered earbuds

The e-commerce giant seeks to rival Apple's popular AirPods with its own voice-enabled wearables.

By Robert Williams • April 8, 2019

More than half of consumers shop online and offline equally

Mobile is becoming the medium of choice for online shoppers, according to a March Periscope by McKinsey report.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 5, 2019

Walgreens Boots Alliance's heavy focus on digitalization to save up to $600M

The company brought in a new chief digital officer, who is expected to lead the development of WBA's digital and physical customer solutions.

By Samantha Schwartz • April 5, 2019

Gartner: 5G will drive 100M people to shop in AR by next year

Nearly half of retailers plan to deploy AR/VR capabilities, but the technologies still face several challenges.

By Robert Williams • April 5, 2019

Apple debuts credit card

U.S. customers will be able to apply for the program through the Wallet app and get cash back on Uber purchases, with more merchants to come.

By Lisa Rowan • Updated Aug. 21, 2019

CNBC: Amazon demotes private label ads

The change to the private label product ads comes as major tech companies face regulatory scrutiny by public officials and rival brands.

By Erica Sweeney • April 5, 2019

FedEx opens 2,000th retail location to support e-commerce

The logistics provider is planning a nationwide expansion in 500 Walmart stores. This opening marked 150 such locations.

By Matt Leonard • April 4, 2019

Katie Finnegan to depart Walmart's Store No. 8

The founder of Walmart's incubation arm, and CEO of Spatialand, will leave the company on June 7.

By Kaarin Moore • April 4, 2019

Walmart rolls out new baby registry experience

The company is placing personalization and its mobile app at the forefront of the process.

By Caroline Jansen • April 4, 2019

Walmart launches voice-activated grocery shopping

The new service will allow customers to voice order groceries from their Google Assistant devices including Google Home, iPhone and Android.

By Krishna Thakker • April 3, 2019

Payments company Airwallex lands unicorn status

The fintech business, which reached a $1 billion valuation in only three years, supports a variety of corporations including JD.com, Tencent and MasterCard.

By Kaarin Moore • April 2, 2019