Retail Therapy: Debunking the Birkin bag myth

Every week, we bring you the most interesting retail reads from around the Web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Jan. 22, 2016

China's overseas luxury spending shifting to the web

Luxury retailers will increasingly be encountering a more sophisticated Chinese customer, who wants exclusivity and original design.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2016

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How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

Target's bullseye getting bigger with tech hires, consumer research

CEO Brian Cornell is visiting the homes of Americans in cities, meeting Hispanic and millennial households.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2016

Amazon offers refunds on hoverboards after fire hazards

A U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission investigation is examining the self-balancing scooters for safety. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 22, 2016

Star Wars helps toy sales handily beat expectations in 2015

Star Wars-related toys enjoyed some $700 million in U.S. sales. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 21, 2016

NRF 2016: Why brick-and-mortar retail faces a shakeout

Expect turnarounds, bankruptcies, and store closings to dominate the headlines in 2016.

By Davide Savenije • Jan. 20, 2016

NRF 2016: How to capture (and keep) the fickle consumer's attention

Creating "experiences" for shoppers has become a must-have for retailers as more distractions compete for their attention—and wallets. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Jan. 19, 2016

The first appliances in Amazon's Dash Replenishment program go live

Amazon appears to be betting on the idea that it can bypass other retailers if they eliminate the need for consumers to actively make necessary-yet-unexciting purchases. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 19, 2016

Most top retailers significantly cut free standing inserts in 2015

Wal-Mart is still the No. 1 distributor of print promotions, but even it cut its FSIs by 33% in 2015.

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 19, 2016

Retail Therapy: El Chapo's fabulous shirt choice and a finger-losing Wal-Mart brawl

Every week, we bring you some of the most interesting retail reads from around the Web. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Jan. 15, 2016

NRF: Holiday sales miss expectations

The 3% increase fell short of the 3.7% that had been forecast.

By Randy Lilleston • Jan. 15, 2016

8 retail technologies to watch in 2016

From magic mirrors to RFID tags, the retail technologies emerging in 2016 are focused on making life easier for the customer.

By Melissa Anders • Jan. 14, 2016

Best Buy holiday sales miss, shares fall 11%

Weak demand for smartphones drove the retailer to lower its sales outlook.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 14, 2016

Report: Mobile sales during holiday season grew 59% over 2014

With desktop sales up 6%, total digital sales grew 13% to reach $69.1 billion. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 12, 2016

Shoppers' product research can last for weeks on digital

Research on digital channels peaks on day of purchase, but can begin weeks ahead.

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 11, 2016

Retailers struggle with new consumer emphasis on experiences, not stuff

Happiness gurus and psychology researchers are touting experiences as rewarding ways to spend time and money—and consumers are apparently taking that to heart.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2016

Holiday sales picture is one of winners and losers

Retail sales grew 3.3% in the quarter ending Jan. 4, although consumers were more likely to spend on experiences rather than products. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 8, 2016

Report: Teen retailers use Instagram more than Facebook

Increased post frequency did not have a negative impact on engagement for brands targeting Gen Z, according to a report. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 7, 2016

Report says few retailers are seeing the benefits of low gas prices

Savings from lower fuel prices seem to finally be spurring Americans to spend — on junk food and cigarettes.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 7, 2016

5 key trends for retailers to watch in 2016

This year will see a mobile-driven transformation for retailers, who will be keen to reach customers in store and online in whole new ways.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 5, 2016

After viral success, Wal-Mart launches new baked goods with Patti LaBelle

The retail giant is looking to boost its food offerings, which make up 56% of its U.S. store sales.

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 5, 2016

Executives expect mobile to keep growing

Mobile's share of business will grow over the next two years, marketers say. 

By Ian P. Murphy • Jan. 4, 2016

Could 'Three Kings Day' become a retail holiday in the US?

Although Hispanics in the U.S. have emerged as one of the most important consumer blocs, “Three Kings Day,” celebrated on Jan. 6, hasn’t yet emerged as a major force in retail. But it could.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

Target to focus on opening small, urban stores in 2016

Last year, the company did away with specialized names “CityTarget” and “TargetExpress,” rebranding every store to just “Target” regardless of size or location.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2016

E-commerce saves the holiday season for retailers

It looks like retailers were able to pull off a fairly healthy season this year, according to the MasterCard Advisors SpendingPulse.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 29, 2015