Survey: Mobile payments top retailers’ tech priority lists

About 65% of 300 retail IT managers and C-level professionals in the U.S. and U.K. said mobile payments are the most in-demand technology, according to research from Zynstra.

By Dan O'Shea • April 17, 2017

UPS taps beacon technology to curb misloaded packages

UPS is rolling out a system of scanners connected to beacons that alert delivery truck loaders when a package has been placed on the wrong truck.

By Dan O'Shea • April 17, 2017

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

Amazon gains on Flipkart in India’s mobile commerce market

Amazon accounted for 30.3% of the country’s mobile commerce users as of last month, compared to 30.7% for market leader Flipkart, according to 7Park Data.

By Dan O'Shea • April 17, 2017

Why drone delivery still has a long way to go before it takes off

High-profile drone delivery demonstrations continue, but frequent market use is years away, and hurdles must be overcome.

By Dan O'Shea • April 13, 2017

Wal-Mart taps AMS to install 40 MWh of energy storage at California stores

Advanced Microgrid Solutions will put batteries at 27 of the retail giant's locations, helping reduce peak demand and providing grid services to Southern California Edison. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

Google moves Shopping List to Google Express, Home apps

The move comes a couple of months after the company enabled consumers to start using voice capabilities through Google Home's digital assistant to shop more than 50 Google Express retail partners.

By Dan O'Shea • April 12, 2017

Gucci, Farfetch partner for on-demand delivery of luxury goods

Orders can be placed through the Farfetch website and app for fulfillment from Gucci stores in 10 cities and Farfetch couriers pick up and deliver the orders. 

By Dan O'Shea • April 12, 2017

Target taps Workday cloud system to streamline operational processes

The retailer is taking steps to free up time for team members to focus on key guest initiatives, as well as gain insights for quicker, data-driven decision making to support growth and hiring efforts. 

By Dan O'Shea • April 12, 2017

Google adds ‘Similar Items’ feature to Image Search capabilities

The new feature augments its Image Search capabilities through Android apps and the mobile web to help users find products similar to those they see in searched photos.

By Dan O'Shea • April 11, 2017

Ulta Beauty, Madison Reed team to sell hair color kits, leverage chatbot

"Madi," a color-recognition chatbot created by Madison Reed engineers, gives consultations just as a human colorist would do in a salon.

By Dan O'Shea • April 11, 2017

Do retailers need innovation labs to stay alive?

Nine experts debate whether experimentation with new technologies is crucial to survival in an increasingly challenging retail environment.

By Corinne Ruff • April 11, 2017

How the ‘age of ask’ is transforming mobile commerce

Building voice-based interfaces for Amazon's digital assistant requires a keen understanding of customer needs. 

By Ken Magill • April 11, 2017

Finish Line reboots Winner’s Circle loyalty app

The athletic retailer is retooling its mobile experience to offer amped-up personalization options, in-app purchasing and early access to new product launches.

By Daphne Howland • April 11, 2017

Survey: Cross-channel commerce errors costing retailers millions

Product content network 1WorldSync also found that 51% of merchants can’t support mobile commerce, and 80% don’t integrate product information management across web, mobile apps and physical stores.

By Dan O'Shea • April 10, 2017

Mastercard brings 5 new startups into Start Path accelerator program

Three of the startups are focused on using AI to analyze consumer behavior, enhance in-store or in-branch customer engagement and compute bill and payment data.

By Dan O'Shea • April 10, 2017

Report: Amazon Marketplace sellers hacked, robbed of thousands in sales

Hacks of dormant third-party seller accounts also have been on the increase: In these cases, non-existent products are offered at steep discounts in an effort to steal payment information from customers who try to buy them.

By Dan O'Shea • April 10, 2017

Valentino getting omnichannel upgrade through YNAP partnership

Customers will gain access to inventory from Valentino boutiques and logistics centers and YNAP's fulfillment centers, in addition to in-store mobile features.

By Dan O'Shea • April 9, 2017

GameStop e-commerce site 'likely' hacked, card data potentially stolen

Customer card numbers, expiration dates, names, addresses and card verification values are among the information potentially compromised between mid-September 2016 and the first week of February.

By Dan O'Shea • April 9, 2017

Adidas leaps beyond 3D printing, unveils Futurecraft 4D shoe

Partner Carbon's Digital Light Synthesis technology leverages digital light projection, oxygen-permeable optics and programmable liquid resins to generate polymeric products.

By Dan O'Shea • April 9, 2017

Under Armour cuts jobs from Connected Fitness unit

The Connected Fitness unit spearheads the sportswear brand’s array of mobile apps, including UA Record, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, Endomondo and others.

By Dan O'Shea • April 6, 2017

Cross-border e-commerce enabler Flow earns $16M in Series A

The startup's cloud-based software platform leverages artificial intelligence and virtualization to support multi-currency pricing, rapid shipping, international payment options, taxes and duties, and simplified returns.

By Dan O'Shea • April 6, 2017

Study: Shoppers more willing to consult mobile phones than associates while in stores

About 77% of shoppers use smartphones to search for product information while shopping in stores, while just 35% are willing to consult an in-store salesperson.

By Dan O'Shea • April 6, 2017

Wal-Mart cutting 300 jobs in information systems unit

The layoffs come after two separate rounds of cuts announced in January and barely a week after a trio of Wal-Mart tech executives were elevated to new jobs.

By Dan O'Shea • April 5, 2017

Amazon to use Plug Power fuel cells to boost fulfillment network efficiencies

The e-commerce goliath plans to power industrial equipment at 11 fulfillment centers with Plug Power’s GenKey technology, corresponding to faster charging times, reduced costs and energy efficiencies.

By Dan O'Shea • April 5, 2017

Reebok planning 'Cotton + Corn' shoe via plant-based products initiative

The effort leverages a petroleum-free, non-toxic bio-based product called Susterra propanediol developed by DuPont Tate & Lyle.

By Dan O'Shea • April 5, 2017