Google Assistant outperforms Alexa, Cortana and Siri, again

Will the gains in accuracy be the key to introducing more intelligent assistants?

By Alex Hickey • April 30, 2018

Starbucks will spotlight afternoons to win more loyalty members

About half of volume sold in the afternoon is to customers who are not members of the My Starbucks Rewards program. 

By Erica Sweeney • April 30, 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

Amazon starts offering smart home security packages

Amazon apparently has expanded into smart home security services, including installation.

By Dan O'Shea • April 29, 2018

Amazon bringing memory, natural conversation capabilities to Alexa

By reducing friction in interactions, the new features will allow the assistant to better engage with users.

By Dan O'Shea • April 27, 2018

Walmart Labs on tech hiring binge in California, Arkansas

The retailer is trading traditional roles for highly skilled technical positions as it ramps up the R&D operations of Walmart Labs.

By Dan Alaimo • April 27, 2018

Amazon releases kid-focused Echo Dot, special Alexa version

The e-commerce giant adds another device to its growing line of "kid edition" tech, this time an Echo Dot with parental controls and special content.

By Dan O'Shea • April 26, 2018

Apps and social media platforms lack brand intimacy

The category has a Brand Intimacy Quotient of 18, well below the industry average of 27.1, according to the MBLM. 

By Erica Sweeney • April 26, 2018

Sneaker brand opens virtual store

Six Hundred Four is an art gallery and a pricey sneaker store – a ‘Sneaker Gallery' – with a physical storefront and a 3D e-commerce shopping experience.

By Dan Alaimo • April 26, 2018

Digital wallet momentum stalls

After three years of being declared the next big thing in payments, digital wallets have shown little growth since their early adoption phase.

By Dan Alaimo • April 25, 2018

Macy’s email campaign nets a 6% reactivation rate

A fourth quarter email campaign boosted active subscribers, open and click-through rates, and resulted in increased online and in-store sales.

By Dan Alaimo • April 25, 2018

With Walmart deal, DoorDash joins the grocery delivery cage match

The company, which had previously worked with restaurants, will deliver groceries to Walmart customers in Atlanta, with more markets to come.

By Jeff Wells • April 25, 2018

As Westfield acquisition nears, shareholders set OneMarket spin-off vote

The shopping mall empire's real estate technology and data analytics division is preparing to strike out on its own.

By Dan O'Shea • April 24, 2018

What retailers need to know about the future of payments

Payments — currencies, platforms, programs and systems — are ripe for change and, thanks to technology, at a tipping point. 

By Laura Heller • April 24, 2018

Why social commerce isn’t #trending yet

The channel has plenty of potential with young consumers, but disposable income in that demographic is low and retailers have yet to tackle issues of convenience.

By Cara Salpini • April 24, 2018

Natori boosts social media sales 76% from AI

The tech determined that custom carousel ads exceeded benchmarks and encouraged the fashion brand to find new ways for formatting content.

By Robert Williams • April 24, 2018

Study: More than half of consumers have purchased through social media

Those who do purchase online, whether through social media or through a retailer's website, are looking for in-depth product info, according to a study by Avionos.

By Dan O'Shea • April 24, 2018

Small businesses spend lightly on mobile apps

More small businesses are creating mobile apps, but small budgets could lead to underspending and poor functionality, according to a study by The Manifest.

By Dan O'Shea • April 24, 2018

Retail jobs shifting from sales to tech

The move from bricks-and-mortar to online commerce is having a measurable impact on the jobs picture in the retail universe, according to research from LinkedIn.

By Dan Alaimo • April 24, 2018

What does the future of in-store payments look like?

Most major retailers are adopting scan-and-go options, but just walk out technology, facial recognition and personalization are all likely to guide the future of the tech.

By Corinne Ruff • April 23, 2018

China is paving the way for mobile payments in the US

As Alipay expands in North America, mobile payments players here have a lot to learn, and perhaps something to fear. 

By Dan O'Shea • April 23, 2018

Conversational Commerce: At Lowe’s, digital development isn’t all about that tech

Augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence are all defining the home improvement retailer's future. But there's one thing that's more important.

By Corinne Ruff • April 23, 2018

Walmart files patents for expanded blockchain use

Two patents published last week would enable Walmart to use blockchain technology for behavior monitoring, in addition to vendor payments and digital shopping.

By Dan Alaimo • April 23, 2018

EMV payments in 2018: The state of the update

Less than three years after the EMV liability switch, and many retailers are still on the sidelines but already looking toward the next stage in the evolution of payments.

By Lara Ewen • April 23, 2018

Net-a-Porter founder starts retail tech-focused VC firm

Natalie Massenet will be looking for another breakout start-up leading venture capital firm Imaginary Ventures.

By Dan O'Shea • April 20, 2018

Walmart arms Lawn & Garden staff with mobile POS

The retail giant is bringing another mobile tool to its in-store experience — a POS to help Lawn & Garden customers pay and exit more quickly.

By Dan O'Shea • April 20, 2018