Why retailers are trying on showrooms

Showrooming is the new big thing in brick-and-mortar retail, but are stores — and customers — ready to abandon their shopping bags?

By Lara Ewen • April 20, 2017

Pinterest, Michaels partner on trend-inspired DIY kits

The "Make It Kits" are inspired by crafts trending on the social media platform and include all the supplies needed to make the projects.

By Dan O'Shea • April 19, 2017

Explore the Trendline➔

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

Facebook tests integration between M virtual assistant, third-party apps

The test enables Messenger users chatting about ordering food to see an interface that allows them to order from Delivery.com.

By Dan O'Shea • April 19, 2017

Fashwire raises funding for app enabling consumer reviews of new fashion designs

The startup raised $725,000 in seed funding and is looking for more in a Series A round as it nears the launch of an app that will allow users to review new fashion designs posted by independent designers.

By Dan O'Shea • April 18, 2017

Rue21 to shutter nearly 400 stores nationwide

Calling it a "difficult but necessary decision," the struggling teen apparel retailer will shut down about one-third of its brick-and-mortar portfolio.

By Davide Savenije • April 17, 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

Jo-Ann Stores acquires Creativebug to boost crafting content game

Creativebug's subscription service allows crafting enthusiasts access to more than 1,000 high-definition video classes where they can learn how to paint, draw, sew, quilt, knit, crochet, throw a DIY party and more.

By Dan O'Shea • April 11, 2017

Retail Therapy: Pepsi — not the taste of the protest generation

The brand was mauled on social media for the ad, which suggested its namesake soda could bring peace, love and unity in the wake of protests against the killings of black people by police.

By Corinne Ruff • April 7, 2017

Despite expectations of personalization, most shoppers don't want to share data

Less than 50% of consumers are willing to exchange personal data for discounts and other benefits, according to the latest Retail Dive Consumer Survey — presenting a clear conundrum for retailers on the quest for personalization.

By Sandy Skrovan • April 5, 2017

Fanatics buys Majestic months after winning deal to replace it as MLB partner

Fanatics and Under Armour last year teamed up to win a 10-year contract from Major League Baseball to make player uniforms and manufacture and sell licensed fan apparel.

By Dan O'Shea • April 4, 2017

Retail Therapy: Cheetos' snack-concealing clothes and the internet's terrible case of the jeans

Cheeto lovers can now hide their favorite cheesy snack in their clothes, while the apparel world's capacity to come out with incredibly bad — and expensive — jeans continues to amaze. 

By Corinne Ruff • March 31, 2017

CVS launching nationwide K-beauty effort

More than 100 new products from seven trendy South Korean brands will be available at the new CVS Pharmacy K-Beauty HQ, developed in partnership with beauty expert Alicia Yoon.

By Daphne Howland • March 31, 2017

Study: Only 22% of consumers have engaged with a chatbot

Vibes' 2017 Mobile Consumer Report also found that consumers carefully curate the number of brands that can send them mobile alerts, subscribing to four on average.

By Dan O'Shea • March 30, 2017

Adidas unveils All Day mobile app for fitness and training

The All Day app, which will integrate with the Adidas Chameleon HR fitness tracker, provides a variety of short-term training routines and practices called Discoveries.

By Dan O'Shea • March 30, 2017

Survey: Ace Hardware, BJ's Wholesale Club, QVC deliver best retail customer experience

The retail industry scored an average customer experience rating of 74%, coming in third place out of 20 verticals surveyed by research firm Temkin Group.

By Daphne Howland • March 29, 2017

10 Items or Less: The future of brick and mortar (yes, it does have one)

Each week, Retail Dive Editor Jason Ankeny weighs in on the industry headlines and trends capturing his attention. This time around: Technology, tuxedos and trouble.

By Jason Ankeny • March 28, 2017

Bazaarvoice, TurnTo Networks team to boost consumer-generated content for retailers

The partnership allows TurnTo’s brand clients the opportunity to syndicate ratings and reviews across the Bazaarvoice Retailer Network, which includes more than 5,000 retail and brand websites.

By Dan O'Shea • March 28, 2017

Study: 13% of all iPhones in use have Apple Pay activated

Fewer than a third of the top 100 digital retailers now accept Apple Pay, according to new research from venture capital firm Loup Ventures.

By Dan O'Shea • March 27, 2017

Under Armour set to drop another 3D-printed shoe

The limited-edition Futurist features a dynamic lattice network midsole for cushioning, as well as a compression lace system with an external sleeve and zipper, complete with SpeedForm upper for a secure fit.

By Dan O'Shea • March 26, 2017

Retail Therapy: Office Depot, Etsy get slimed

Retailers cash in on the DIY slime trend, two cowboys ride into a Wal-Mart and Jeff Bezos becomes a robot.

By Corinne Ruff • March 23, 2017

Target's 'reimagined' store reinforces confidence in grocery business

The company’s redesign includes more grab-and-go foods, an enhanced produce section and pickup options for online orders. 

By Jeff Wells • March 22, 2017

Kohl's CEO: We're 'not as agile as we need to be' to compete

“Why are we so focused on being best-in-class on omnichannel? Because that’s where we can win,” Kohl's chief Kevin Mansell said at Shoptalk 2017. 

By Jason Ankeny • March 21, 2017

Foursquare Analytics aims to help stores understand foot traffic

The platform, which puts data from a company’s location-based services into a dashboard format, helps break down foot traffic patterns at the store level.

By Dan O'Shea • March 21, 2017

Williams-Sonoma unveils augmented reality app for Pottery Barn brands

For now, the smartphone app's 3D Room View tool focuses on the living room, but the home decor retailer will add additional spaces later this year.

By Dan O'Shea • March 21, 2017

Adidas tries on in-store custom-knit sweater technology

The athletic apparel maker is testing “Knit For You,” an automated process that lets shoppers design a sweater and have it created on the spot.

By Dan O'Shea • March 21, 2017