Mall landlords turn to tech to evolve and survive

In an era of declining traffic and fickle shoppers, mall owners are employing high-tech tools to help them appeal to retailers and shoppers alike.

By Daphne Howland • June 8, 2016

1-800-Flowers on chatbots, online gifting and the automation of thoughtfulness

As artificial intelligence interfaces replace human customer service representatives, retail transactions are becoming more convenient and, maybe, a little less human. Which is just how some customers want it.

By Lara Ewen • June 7, 2016

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

Target expanding dedicated smart home spaces to more stores

A Target store in suburban Minneapolis collects a variety of Internet of Things devices in one spot for display and trial, with similar spaces slated for locations in New York City and Cupertino, CA.

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2016

Salesforce buys Demandware for $2.8b, upping e-commerce clout

The mega deal will create a new Salesforce Commerce Cloud business division. 

By Daphne Howland • June 2, 2016

Indiegogo founder Slava Rubin on e-commerce, the evolution of crowdfunding and bringing ideas to life

While its platform remains focused on helping entrepreneurs and creatives shepherd their projects from concept to market, Indiegogo is also emerging as a digital commerce force.

By Jason Ankeny • June 1, 2016

Wayfair launches Magellan proprietary display ad platform

Magellan will leverage consumer data insights to enhance personalization, the online home furnishings and décor retailer said.

By Daphne Howland • June 1, 2016

Study: Retailers' omnichannel efforts leave customers wanting

A recent study found that 17% of retailer apps displayed in-store inventory quantities, and just 7% attempted to save the sale when there’s friction. 

By Daphne Howland • May 27, 2016

MasterCard developing standard to speed EMV checkout times

As of April 30, 68% of all U.S. MasterCard-branded consumer credit cards incorporate EMV technology.

By Jason Ankeny • May 26, 2016

Wal-Mart ending price matching at 500 stores

But shoppers can still get competitors’ lower advertised prices—they just need to use the retailer’s “Savings Catcher” app.

By Daphne Howland • May 26, 2016

EBay eyes 'huge opportunities' to personalize shopping through artificial intelligence

EBay Chief Product Officer RJ Pittman championed the potential of artificial intelligence technologies during a presentation at Shoptalk 2016.

By Jason Ankeny • May 18, 2016

Westfield co-CEO Steven Lowy: 'Malls must be exciting places to be'

The “mall of the future” must incorporate technological innovations and interactive experiences “for physical real estate to continue to be relevant,” Lowy said at the Shoptalk conference.

By Jason Ankeny • May 17, 2016

Google launches shopping ads on mobile image search

As of 2016, 34% of all online retail purchases across the U.S. happen on mobile, Google executive Jonathan Alferness said at the Shoptalk 2016 retail conference.

By Jason Ankeny • May 16, 2016

Ron Johnson's electronics marketplace Enjoy plots expansion into new US markets

The consumer electronics delivery and concierge startup will roll out in cities including Dallas, Houston and Miami over the next several months, Johnson said at the Shoptalk conference.

By Jason Ankeny • May 16, 2016

Hudson's Bay CEO: Online commerce won't replace brick-and-mortar retail

Physical stores still represent the nexus of the retail experience, Jerry Storch said at the Shoptalk conference.

By Jason Ankeny • May 16, 2016

Snapchat launches first shoppable ads for brands

The 10-second ads for Target and Lancome include calls-to-action instructing consumers to “swipe up” their device screen for additional content.

By Jason Ankeny • May 2, 2016

Wal-Mart appeals to tech startups for new retail innovations

The Technology Innovation Open Call effort invites startups to pitch disruptive technologies for retail, logistics, big data, security and social media.

By Daphne Howland • May 2, 2016

MasterCard unveils M/Chip Fast to speed up EMV transactions

The new technology allows users to remove their card from the point-of-sale terminal more quickly, without losing EMV's security benefits.

By Daphne Howland • April 28, 2016

Apple reports first revenue decline in 13 years

The technology company also reported the first sales drop for its signature iPhone devices, a strong sign that the growth of the smartphone market may be slowing down. 

By Davide Savenije • April 27, 2016

Survey: Retailers blame poor data insights for omnichannel struggles

Just 6% of retailers described their omnichannel readiness as “Excellent—fully implemented."

By Jason Ankeny • April 21, 2016

How American Apparel is boosting marketing creativity with data

Data has gotten flack in marketing for being tough to parse and for curtailing creativity. But for American Apparel, data allows them to humanize and personalize their marketing.

By Natalia Angulo • April 20, 2016

Retailers now leading cyber-attack target, eclipsing financial sector

In an especially alarming finding, many vulnerabilities were sitting on business IT systems for years, waiting to be exploited.

By Daphne Howland • April 20, 2016

CVS to launch Express pickup service with Curbside

The new effort, currently in pilot, enables consumers to place an order via mobile app and pick up their purchase an hour later.

By Jason Ankeny • April 19, 2016

How chatbots are going to redefine retail customer service

Bots—software that automates everyday customer service tasks—are poised to transform how retailers communicate with consumers. But experts say the human touch remains vital to shopper satisfaction.

By Daphne Howland • April 18, 2016

Facebook brings bots to Messenger in bid to redefine retail customer service

Chatbots are app-like software designed to automate customer service tasks now offered via phone and e-mail.

By Daphne Howland • April 13, 2016

Target to pilot connected health sections in 550 stores

The program is part of Target's broader push into personal wellness. 

By Jason Ankeny • April 12, 2016