Organized retail crime costs retailers nearly $720K per $1B in sales: NRF

Though retailers want stricter laws to address the problem, they're also investing more in tech to combat organized criminals themselves.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 6, 2021

Amazon buys 11 planes to boost airfreight capacity

The aircraft purchases come at a time when airfreight procurement has become increasingly difficult, and e-commerce demand is soaring.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 6, 2021

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

EBay targets mobile shoppers with holiday AR sweepstakes

The online marketplace teamed with NBA star Anthony Davis to promote the web-based game and give away 500 pairs of collectible sneakers.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 5, 2021

Consumers spent over $100B on mobile apps in 2020: report

As shopping shifted from in-store to online, mobile purchases reached record-breaking heights. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 5, 2021

Afterpay basket size jumps 30% over the holidays

The installment payments firm benefited from pandemic-induced behaviors in favor of contactless buying.

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 5, 2021

Pandemic-fueled omnichannel shopping surge here to stay: Nielsen

Buying across both store and online channels increased 50% in 2020 and doesn't show signs of slowing anytime soon, the data firm noted.

By Rosie Bradbury • Jan. 5, 2021

Walmart boosts new advertisers on media network by 40%

A self-serve platform that launched in January is now responsible for half of the retail chain's ad revenue from sponsored products.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 22, 2020

Study: Influencer impact up 57% amid shift to Instagram Stories, TikTok

While the number of Instagram #ad posts declined this year, sponsored Stories on the platform and TikTok activity rose, Klear found.

By Chris Kelly • Dec. 22, 2020

Verishop launches group video shopping feature

The new offering can host up to five people and allows friends to browse products together.

By Maria Monteros • Dec. 22, 2020

Google launches AR beauty try-on tools in app

The tech giant teamed up with ModiFace and Perfect Corp. to allow consumers to virtually test cosmetics.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 21, 2020

Walmart enlists top TikTok creators for first-of-its-kind shoppable livestream

A one-hour variety program showcasing Walmart's holiday offerings illustrates why the retailer is interested in acquiring a stake in the app.

By Peter Adams • Dec. 18, 2020

Sam's Club equips its fulfillment operations with robotic pickers

The retailer has adopted the use of autonomous mobile robots in its new Southern California fulfillment center for e-commerce orders.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 17, 2020

Walmart to take middle-mile trucks driverless in Arkansas

Since the retailer began its self-driving pilot with Gatik last year, the trucks have traveled more than 70,000 operational miles in autonomous mode.

By Rosie Bradbury • Dec. 17, 2020

Foot Locker hires new CIO to oversee digital operations

Himanshu Parikh will lead the company's tech strategy and infrastructure, and comes with 25 years of experience at retailers like Michaels and Ross.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 16, 2020

Few consumers are happy with their online shopping experience: report

As more consumers turn to e-commerce, frustration with retailers' websites and apps could create headaches.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Amazon Fashion launches custom T-shirt sales

Available in the U.S., the app-based tech helps customers determine their ideal size, fit, color and style, and could reduce returns and waste.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2020

Contactless offerings surge, but may be ‘duct-tape solutions’ for now: report

Touch-free payment and pickup options are gaining in popularity, but retailers haven't fully figured them out yet, according to NewStore.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Instagram debuts Shopping in Reels

Brands and creators can tag products in the videos they post, which users are able to view or purchase from directly.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

WhatsApp introduces carts feature to simplify in-app purchases

The platform has rolled out e-commerce features in recent years to help sellers connect with customers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Snapchat adds Perfect Corp.’s AR beauty testing

Beauty brands will be able to add virtual storefronts to the social platform and transform AR experiences into shoppable lenses.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 14, 2020

Tastemade feasts on shoppable video as mobile viewership grows

Collaborations with Amazon and Walmart foretell the future of mobile video, the digital media company says.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 11, 2020

Bridal retailer Avery Austin debuts e-commerce, try-at-home model

Wedding retailers have unveiled digital tools throughout the year as COVID-19 keeps customers from shopping in-store.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 11, 2020

Vendor ransomware attack disrupts DSW's inventory management

The impact of cyberattacks on retailers and their vendors is even greater during this digital-first period brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 10, 2020

The startup that's automating supplier negotiations for Walmart

Martin Rand, CEO of Pactum, talks about how the AI-based platform is helping the retailer and other large companies revisit the many small-scale contracts that can go untended for years. 

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 10, 2020

Ikea halts production of catalog after 70 years

The move is part of an ongoing effort from the Swedish furniture retailer to focus on its digital channels.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 8, 2020