1-800-Flowers cashes in on conversational commerce, AR for Valentine’s Day

Mobile pay, voice ordering and a product recommendation engine highlight how brands are leaning in to mobile tech to lure shoppers around holidays.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 30, 2019

EBay faces year of transition

Efforts to smooth recent experiments in the user and seller experience are complicated by activist pressure to spin off its profitable StubHub and Classifieds businesses.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 30, 2019

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

Billie lathers up $25M more in VC funding

The new funds will go toward expanding the brand's product line and innovating in the personal care category, the company said.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 30, 2019

Starbucks Rewards membership jumps 14% in Q1, highest gain in 3 years

Expanded delivery, mobile pay and better app personalization features were key to driving U.S. membership and sales.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 29, 2019

Contentsquare raises $60M to fuel user analytics

The company is preparing for another round of expansion after its latest influx of cash.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2019

Giant Foods to open its first e-commerce hub next month

The Pennsylvania location will offer a pickup option for pre-ordered groceries and a walk-up vestibule with tablets to place orders.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 29, 2019

Taobao tech improves online shopping for visually-impaired

China's largest online marketplace is embracing accessibility initiatives, the latest of which uses technology to help blind shoppers.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 27, 2019

China retail growth leapfrogs US

A growing middle class and a strong foothold in e-commerce continue to propel retail in China.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2019

The RealReal reportedly mulls IPO

The upscale resale site, which also now sells through physical locations, has garnered attention from investors and luxury shoppers alike.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 24, 2019

ShopRunner gains UPS investment, acquires anti-fraud firm Precognitive

The marketplace and free shipping service expands again, adding a big-name investor and acquiring an AI-based security tool provider.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2019

What can US retailers learn from China?

Stores like Alibaba's Hema offer a vision of the future for American grocers, but experts say creating a similarly seamless omnichannel experience isn't easy — and may not be possible.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 23, 2019

Nectar teams up with Mattress Warehouse

The move points to a larger trend of direct-to-consumer companies in the space partnering with legacy retailers with a brick-and-mortar presence.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 23, 2019

Flipkart invests $201M in wholesale unit amid e-commerce market shake-up

Increased competition and regulatory changes in India's e-commerce market are poised to affect Flipkart, Amazon and Reliance, among others.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

Amazon touts value of its stores to small business

The company is no longer an e-commerce pure-player, though it's not clear how much of an impact its physical stores really have just yet.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2019

Rent the Runway tries on exclusives

The startup is sharing data and earnings with designers as it steadily makes its mark in fashion sales.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2019

Nordstrom's latest partnership is with period undies brand Thinx

It's becoming clearer than ever that, to make it in retail, direct-to-consumer businesses need brick and mortar.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2019

Brandless launches subscription option

The service is both a convenience play for consumers and a savvy business move aimed at capturing reorders.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 17, 2019

Walmart and VC firms see two paths for DTC brands

Brands either need to be a consumer phenomenon like Warby Parker, or they need to fit into a larger portfolio, like the one that Walmart is building.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 16, 2019

Digital personal shopping assistant VERA debuts at NRF’s Big Show

Piktorlabs launched shopping assistant technology that can be integrated across retail touchpoints, including in fitting rooms.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2019

Bebe revamps e-commerce and loyalty program

The brand is making a steady return after avoiding bankruptcy, despite years of struggles.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 15, 2019

Nordstrom's Trunk Club fights fast fashion with new campaign

The styling service has given the department store some trouble, but is now hoping to train Americans to try, buy and care for better apparel.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 14, 2019

Tempur Sealy ponies up $14M to aid bankrupt mattress brands

Sleep Outfitters, Mattress Warehouse and Mattress King are the latest to falter in a market that has been thoroughly disrupted by e-commerce startups.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 14, 2019

Armed with tech, Goodwill joins fight against designer fakes

The nonprofit's e-commerce site is using Entrupy's AI solution to ensure that high-end goods found among its donations are the real deal.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 10, 2019

Amazon uses customer data to send free samples

The e-commerce giant's programs are poised to help grow its increasingly important advertising business.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2019

Amazon adds keyless garage entry for parcel deliveries

Digital locks can prevent package theft and encourage e-commerce orders, but consumer privacy concerns linger.

By Emma Cosgrove • Jan. 8, 2019