7 trends that will disrupt and define retail in 2017

As the dust settles from a record-shattering holiday shopping season, the retail industry turns its focus to a new year — along with new opportunities and challenges. Here’s what you can expect.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 10, 2017

Diebold Nixdorf unveils small-footprint self-checkout system

The Extreme Self-Checkout Concept is less than 10 inches wide, supports cash card and contactless payments, and integrates an EMV chip reader to help mitigate card fraud.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 9, 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

Nike: Self-lacing HyperAdapt shoe a hit, new models coming soon

Advancements in manufacturing could get future editions to market more quickly, and potentially at a lower cost than the current $720 price tag, Nike said.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 9, 2017

How Amazon Go will transform the grocery experience

The online behemoth's register-free store disrupts the landscape, but does more convenience take away from what food shopping has always been?

By Keith Loria • Jan. 9, 2017

The DNA of the "Digital Native Audience" (DNA)

The Digital Native Audience has been raised in the era of the Internet and smartphones, so they shop and think differently than previous generations.

Jan. 9, 2017

Uber opens up access to its collected traffic data

The ride-sharing company's information could be very valuable for shipping and logistics companies as they look for the most efficient possible routes for delivering packages.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 8, 2017

Amazon concerned about leaving drone regulations to individual states

The e-commerce giant warns that a state-by-state patchwork of U.S. drone regulations could endanger the emerging drone delivery environment.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 8, 2017

Ford adding Amazon Alexa capabilities to some of its cars

Ford’s self-described “Alexa on the go” capabilities will include voice-driven orders of Amazon products, the ability to listen to audiobooks, get directions and more.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 5, 2017

Under Armour teams with NFL's Tom Brady for high-tech sleepwear

The sleepwear includes “bioceramic particles that absorb infrared wavelengths emitted by the body and reflect back Far Infrared, helping the body recover faster while promoting better sleep.”

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 5, 2017

Food for thought: 7 trends set to define grocery retail in 2017

Online grocery, last-mile shipping, social media marketing, product transparency and differentiated shopping experiences will highlight the year ahead.

By Sandy Skrovan • Jan. 5, 2017

Gap testing virtual dressing room app for Google Tango smartphones

The DressingRoom app allows shoppers to overlay different clothes and outfits to see how they look from a variety of angles before making a buying decision.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017

LG introduces smart refrigerator with Amazon Alexa-enabled grocery ordering

The Smart InstaView refrigerator, powered by LG’s own webOS software platform and equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, also can use the Alexa voice assistant technology to search recipes, play music and add items to a shopping list.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017

The 7 trends that will shape apparel retail in 2017

Technology, integration, innovation and personalization will be all the rage in fashion retail during the year ahead.  

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 4, 2017

Amazon's one-click patent nearing expiration date

So-called “utility” patents expire 20 years after the patent filing date — in this case, Sept. 12, 1997 — meaning that other retailers will soon be able to use the one-click function without having to license it from Amazon.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

How tech drove retailer turnaround efforts in 2016

Staples, Sears and J.C. Penney were among the big sector names leaning on tech innovation to help steer their comeback narratives and position themselves for growth in 2017.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Amazon lands patent for 'airborne fulfillment center' to aid drone deliveries

The blimp-like fulfillment center concept intends to stock products for drones in order to assist them in filling orders as quickly as possible.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Amazon touts bountiful holiday season for Alexa-based devices

Sales of Amazon devices employing the company’s Alexa virtual assistant technology were nine times higher than during the 2015 holiday shopping rush.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Pokemon Go comes to the Apple Watch

The announcement comes just days after game developer Niantic announced Pokemon Go retail partnerships with Starbucks and Sprint.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016

Amazon lands US patent covering drone security measures

The e-commerce giant noted in its original 2014 patent filing that drones and their on-board communication and data systems could be targeted by malicious hackers.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016

UPS invests in reverse-logistics startup Optoro, readies for National Returns Day

Optoro applies algorithm-based analytics to determine where the retailer will best recoup its losses on unwanted items.

By Edwin Lopez, Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 22, 2016

The retail winners and losers of 2016

Some retailers spent the year readying for the industry's future, while others grappled with the ghosts of its past. Here are the companies, technologies and trends that soared or sank in 2016.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 22, 2016

Lidl eyes small-format stores with online order pickup

The new Lidl Express concept incorporates a dedicated in-store location for customers to pick up online orders and shop for fresh products.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016

Amazon pays shipping on Goodwill donations packaged in e-retailer's boxes

Shipping platform Give Back Box has partnered with several other retailers since 2012, including Overstock, Ann Taylor, New Egg, eBags, Bonobos and REI.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 21, 2016

Drone operator Flirtey made 77 delivery flights for 7-Eleven in November

Flirtey gained Federal Aviation Administration approval for the deliveries, all of which occurred near the drone operator's metropolitan Reno, NV headquarters.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 21, 2016

Staples appoints e-commerce veteran Masud to new CTO role

Since joining the office supplies retailer in mid-2013, Masud has led the expansion of its omnichannel capabilities and spearheaded the rollout of the Staples Exchange vendor platform.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 21, 2016