Ford plans self-driving cars for commercial applications like package delivery

The auto giant sees a near-term future for driverless cars in ride-hailing or parcel delivery — and the latter application could have a major impact on retail, if it comes to fruition. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 16, 2016

Report: Bolstered by tech needs, back-to-school spending to increase by 33%

Technology is increasingly on the shopping list during back-to-school, with 92% of parents saying their kids need devices for school this year.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 16, 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

Report: Groupon, One Kings Lane top retail mobile app rankings

As consumers increasingly shop on mobile, sticky apps have become a sort of Holy Grail for retailers. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 15, 2016

Report: Home improvement retailers immune to the 'Amazon effect'

Many homeowners see home improvement spending as an investment and prefer to browse products in-store.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2016

Retail Therapy: The Olympics are here. Ralph Lauren, whose team are you on?

Fans on social media blasted the apparel retailer for designing Olympic uniforms that bear a striking similarity to the Russian flag.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 12, 2016

Study: 57% of back-to-school shoppers plan physical store purchases

A.T. Kearney found that back-to-school shoppers are spending more this year than last, and that most of them are open to using mobile devicces and promotions while they shop in-store.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 11, 2016

Report: Department store earnings losses continue to mount

Losses have mounted for Sears in particular, according to research firm Retail Metrics, and operating income is expected to drop substantially for six of the eight publicly traded department stores.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 9, 2016

Retail Therapy: The great cargo shorts debate seizes the internet

All hell broke loose on the internet when the Wall Street Journal stated the obvious: cargo shorts are ugly. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • Aug. 5, 2016

PlaceIQ taps MasterCard shopper insights to beef up location data

The partnership promises to deliver the customer information retailers need to create compelling omnichannel experiences.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2016

Pokemon Go set to expand paid sponsorships

The blockbuster mobile game has been downloaded more than 100 million times and generates more than $10 million each day in revenue, according to analytics company App Annie.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 3, 2016

Consumer spending fuels modest growth ahead of holidays

Wages continue to increase—including for households with lower incomes.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 1, 2016

Retail Therapy: Convention fashion goes red, white and absurd

RNC and DNC attendees showed off their support with capes, tattoos ... and a whole bunch of buttons.

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 29, 2016

States trim sales tax holidays ahead of back-to-school

Some 17 states and Puerto Rico are again offering “tax holidays,” but many have scaled back their efforts this year.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2016

Report: 'Star Wars' drives healthy mid-year growth in toy aisle

Star Wars toy merchandise sales rose nearly 200% through June, according to The NPD Group. 

By Daphne Howland • July 27, 2016

New kid on the block: Rockets of Awesome launches subscription service for kids

The company is based on the notion that busy parents need help dressing their young kids, who grow out of their duds every few months.

By Daphne Howland • July 27, 2016

Under Armour looks to bolster reach with Kohl's partnership

The retailer is also moving into FAO Schwarz's iconic flagship store in New York. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 26, 2016

Retailers expanding gender-neutral trend to kids' apparel

Pink for girls and blue for boys was once a way to boost sales. But the practice may be leaving money on the table.

By Daphne Howland • July 26, 2016

Lululemon preparing for athleisure bubble to burst

The retailer continues to redesign its women’s styles, while growth in menswear has helped contribute to same-store sales increases of 6% in its latest quarter.

By Daphne Howland • July 25, 2016

Retail Therapy: 'Star Trek' ... starring Jeff Bezos?

Keep an eye out for the Amazon CEO in the new "Star Trek Beyond" movie, out today. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 22, 2016

Wal-Mart moves to eliminate eight new chemicals from shelves

The retail giant has asked suppliers to remove more chemicals from their goods, affecting some 90,000 items made by 700 manufacturers.

By Daphne Howland • July 21, 2016

Macy's puts Watson-powered virtual assistant on call for shoppers

Customers will be able to ask natural language questions about stores and products with their smartphones.

By Dan O'Shea • July 20, 2016

Can retailers compete with off-price?

With retailers from Macy's to Kohl's going off-price, full-price stores have to figure out how to hold onto their consumers.

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 20, 2016

McDonald's goes for Pokemon Go sponsorship in Japan

The fast food giant's Japanese business unit reportedly is set to become Pokemon Go's first corporate retail sponsor as the hit mobile game launches there this week.

By Dan O'Shea • July 19, 2016

J.C. Penney, Sears battle it out for appliance sales

J.C. Penney is aggressively trying to regain market share in an area it exited decades ago, while Sears is seeking to protect one of its rare strengths.

By Daphne Howland • July 19, 2016

Urban Outfitters gets political with anti-Trump swag

The retailer's “IDK NOT TRUMP THO” T-shirt is a hit with its target consumer.

By Daphne Howland • July 19, 2016