Department store guru says discounts are like 'a cancer'

Allen Questrom, who has led department stores like J.C. Penney and Macy’s, says retailers are relying too heavily on promotions and not enough on merchandising, presentation and customer service.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 30, 2016

4 takeaways from Cyber Monday 2016

Another Cyber Monday, another website outage fiasco. This year, Gap Inc. brands Old Navy and Banana Republic suffered disruptions for much of the afternoon.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 30, 2016

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

EBay pop-up uses biometrics to ease gift-buying stress

A study from eBay and analytics firm Lightwave suggests the pressure of holiday shopping stress is akin to running a marathon, and that 60% of shoppers hit a "wall of disenchantment" after only about 32 minutes, feeling too fatigued to go on.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 29, 2016

Report: iPhones in highest demand for holiday gifts

Analysts have worried that Apple didn’t innovate its devices much, but Piper Jaffray’s fifth annual Holiday Spending Intentions Survey found that the iPhone remains the most requested gift this year.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 29, 2016

Under Armour app tracks how much people ate — and exercised — on Thanksgiving Day

MyFitnessPal app users across the country burned more calories on Turkey Day than on an average non-holiday Thursday, the athletic gear retailer found.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 28, 2016

UPDATE: Cyber Monday sales surge to record $3.45B

Sales topped forecasts of $3.36 billion, which would have just edged past Black Friday's record-setting $3.34 billion in online purchases, according to Adobe Digital Insights.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 28, 2016

The winners and losers of Black Friday 2016

Online shopping scaled new highs, and civility plunged to new lows. Here's what you need to know.

By Jason Ankeny • Nov. 28, 2016

UPDATE Mobile shoppers fuel surging Black Friday online sales

Online sales reached $490 million on Black Friday morning, with mobile generating 57% of visits and a hearty 40% chunk of sales, according to Adobe Digital Insights.

By Corinne Ruff, Jason Ankeny • Nov. 25, 2016

Google Maps update steers shoppers during Black Friday traffic frenzy

The new Maps update is designed to help consumers more efficiently manage their time as they plan to visit stores, bars and other businesses likely to be crowded during the holiday season.  

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 23, 2016

6 shopping trends that will dominate Black Friday 2016

Black Friday still looms large on the retail calendar, but digital disruptions and pre-holiday sales are redefining its role. Here's what merchants need to know.

By Jason Ankeny • Nov. 22, 2016

5 mistakes from Black Fridays past — and how retailers can avoid them

Retailers won't bask in the bounty of Black Friday sales before first navigating these pitfalls.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 21, 2016

Under Armour plummets after latest Steph Curry shoe sputters

Investors panicked after Foot Locker CEO Richard Johnson said the Curry 3 is off to a slow start.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 21, 2016

Report: Election anxiety cost retailers $800M in online sales

It remains to be seen how much the election could hurt sales overall this season, or whether Black Friday can make up for any shortfall.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 18, 2016

Retail Therapy: Something strange is afoot at Zara

One fast-fashion customer smells a rat. Meanwhile, two Best Buy customers have been camping out for Black Friday for weeks.  

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 17, 2016

How UPS stays steady in center of e-commerce shipping storm

Despite Amazon's shipping ambitions and myriad other forces driving market upheaval, UPS continues to invest in a future defined by e-commerce opportunities and obstacles.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 15, 2016

Wayfair expands virtual reality universe with IdeaSpace

The application, developed for Google’s new Daydream mobile VR platform, allows customers to shop a variety of virtual, custom-designed rooms.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 13, 2016

Survey: Speedy delivery top of mind for holiday shoppers

A Deloitte survey shows 83% of shoppers now consider “fast” shipping to mean delivery within two days, and free shipping is expected.

By Daphne Howland • Nov. 11, 2016

Retail Therapy: Clinton loses, but pantsuits are forever

Some consumers are fired up about President Trump... others are setting their shoes on fire.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 10, 2016

What President Trump means for retailers

Here’s how the Republican president-elect's administration could impact trade, tax reform and labor issues.

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 9, 2016

Study: Retailers abandon generic mobile coupons during holidays

Only 8% of chief marketing officers plan on using generic mobile coupons this year, compared to 34% in 2015.

By David Kirkpatrick • Nov. 8, 2016

How Target can refresh its failing grocery business

The retailer's grocery effort suffered another blow with the abrupt resignation of department head Anne Dament. Eight experts debate how (and if) Target can turn it around.    

By Jason Ankeny • Nov. 8, 2016

5 fashion experts size up what's hot for the holidays

Fashion is on pace to top gift purchases this season, driving half of all sales in a projected $656 billion holiday shopping market. Here's what's trending.

By Lara Ewen • Nov. 7, 2016

Adidas rolls out 3D-printed shoe made from recycled ocean waste

About 7,000 pairs of the UltraBoost Uncaged Parley will available at a price of $220 each in mid-November from Adidas stores and the company’s website.

By Dan O'Shea • Nov. 6, 2016

Retail Therapy: Retailers' favorite Halloween costumes and a very luxury Thanksgiving

Boxtimus Prime wins Halloween, Neiman Marcus gentrifies collard greens and a human-sized receipt goes to CVS. 

By Corinne Ruff • Nov. 4, 2016

Why mobile marketing is harder than ever — and what you can do about it

From mobile apps to chatbots to digital assistants, brands face tough choices when deciding how best to engage smartphone users. 

By Chantal Tode • Nov. 2, 2016