Best Buy rolls out Geek Squad subscription

Best Buy is revitalizing the service by adding a full-year subscription plan to help customers with all their technology needs.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

Amazon aids developers with more Alexa voices, app tools

The e-commerce giant is looking to boost the next generation of Alexa skills and mixed reality apps with eight new Alexa voices and a web-based app development tool.

By Dan O'Shea • May 22, 2018

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

Study: AR’s potential for retailers lies in driving efficiencies, not sales

The technology is likely to be too distracting to help shoppers who already are in a store looking at products, ABI Research says.

By Robert Williams • May 22, 2018

Nike sells out of Facebook Messenger sneaker drop in less than an hour

This is the athletics retailer's second social commerce success story in three months, after selling out of Air Jordans on Snapchat in just 23 minutes.

By Cara Salpini • May 22, 2018

Starbucks has the most-used mobile payment app

But competition is heating up as the use of Apple, Google and Samsung's proximity mobile payment apps grows, according to an eMarketer forecast.

By Dan Alaimo • May 22, 2018

Macy's revamps in-store beauty to challenge Sephora

The department store retailer is finally dismantling its old-school, brand-siloed beauty sales approach.

By Daphne Howland • May 21, 2018

Product review site Quiddity targets millennials with video

The platform will challenge Consumer Reports and The New York Times' Wirecutter with an approach that aims to bring emotion to product reviews. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 21, 2018

PayPal shells out $2.2B for iZettle

Over the past five years, the company has made at least a half a dozen acquisitions, but its latest and biggest deal could significantly power its in-store payments strategy.

By Dan O'Shea • May 20, 2018

Another Alexa exec ditches Amazon

Amazon is in the crosshairs of tech exec poachers, but claims there is no "executive retention issue."

By Dan Alaimo • May 18, 2018

EBay asks shoppers to share their interests

The online marketplace has launched a feature that uses customers' input on their hobbies and preferences to help build more personalized shopping experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • May 17, 2018

Macy’s expands mobile checkout, AR/VR furniture departments

The company is adding VR furniture showrooms to 60 stores after the tech "significantly increased" transaction size and reduced returns.

By Robert Williams • May 17, 2018

80% of retailers set to spend on visibility platforms powered by RFID, IoT

Many retail companies are ready to spend on technology to facilitate better shopping experiences, and they shouldn't hesitate, according to IDC.

By Dan O'Shea • May 17, 2018

Online marketplace revenues to double by 2022

A new study from Coresight Research shows the breadth and opportunities for virtual marketplaces as Walmart and Amazon accelerate growth. 

By Dan Alaimo • May 17, 2018

Starbucks ranks highest among QSR loyalty apps

The chain reportedly drives repeat visits with its rewards program by requiring members to pre-load money onto the app to make mobile payments.

By Robert Williams • May 16, 2018

Walmart drops mobile Scan & Go checkout

The failed test highlights a key challenge in the retailer's competition with Amazon to convince shoppers to adopt next-generation store experiences.

By Natalie Black (Koltun) , Robert Williams • May 16, 2018

Abercrombie drove 40K people to stores with E! Snapchat integration

The retailer, in the midst of a brand refresh, partnered with makeover show "Face Forward" on a campaign that lifted purchase intent by 4.5%.

By Peter Adams • May 16, 2018

Macy’s steps into summer with new Instagram look, dedicated men’s page and more

The retail brand is continuing its work with the creator network Tongal to make its social video efforts shoppable and shareable by influencers. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 16, 2018

Amazon Go stores are reportedly coming to San Francisco and Chicago

As the cashierless concept expands, will the cost of its technology prove to be a barrier?

By Alicia Kelso • May 15, 2018

YouCam drives personalized beauty consultations with live advisers

The beauty consultants can display looks and products virtually on themselves or on the face of callers, as well as helping them find and shop for products.

By Robert Williams • May 15, 2018

Most retailers say real-time payments will cut costs, cards

More than 75% of global retailers said "immediate" payment processing will reduce costs and eliminate payment cards, according to a study by ACI and Ovum.

By Dan Alaimo • May 15, 2018

In challenge to Amazon, Google adds YouTube to home assistants

Video has come to home assistants and the turf war between Google and Amazon is escalating with the addition of YouTube to Google devices.

By Dan Alaimo • May 15, 2018

Jeff Bezos: AI will create jobs, not kill them

Amazon's CEO recently sought to calm fears about the future effect robots and artificial intelligence will have on the retail workforce.

By Dan O'Shea • May 13, 2018

Amazon reportedly forms Alexa health team

The e-commerce giant continues to expand on the applications for AI and smart devices within the home. 

By David Lim • May 11, 2018

Aldo updates app to streamline trying on shoes in store

Shoppers can scan a bar code with the app to request a shoe size for fast service.

By Robert Williams • May 11, 2018

IAB: Mobile drives digital ad spend to all-time high of $88B

Marketers are for the first time investing more in phone screens than TV screens, the trade group found. 

By Erica Sweeney • May 11, 2018