Pier 1 digs into turnaround plan as sales fall 9.2%

The home goods retailer is working to improve its branding, stores, digital operations and supply chain — exactly what Pier 1 needs to do to catch up. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 28, 2018

Amazon launches back-to-school shopping pages

The online giant is one of the first retailers out of the gate this year in what is already shaping up to be a competitive back-to-school season.

By Daphne Howland • June 28, 2018

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

'Today' will be key word for deliveries this holiday season

Retailers are gearing up for a holiday season when same-day delivery of gifts will be expected, especially by last-minute shoppers, according to a survey by Dropoff.

By Dan Alaimo • June 28, 2018

Amazon merging marketplace and retail operations

The move is acknowledgement that third-party sellers are key to Amazon's growth, and that it needs more control over marketplace operations.

By Daphne Howland • June 27, 2018

Shopping via voice gains momentum

A new report found 26% of smart speaker users have purchased by voice command, and 16% make monthly purchases using the technology.

By Dan Alaimo • June 27, 2018

Amazon, eBay join effort to combat counterfeits

The online marketplaces, along with Alibaba and Rakuten-France, have signed a European Commission Product Safety Pledge that promises to rein in dangerous and fake product listings.

By Dan Alaimo • June 26, 2018

Former Toys R Us CEO reportedly working to keep some US stores open

Jerry Storch is behind a bid by the buyer of the toy retailer's Canadian unit to potentially save hundreds of U.S. stores, according to Bloomberg. 

By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2018

Overstock to collect sales tax following SCOTUS decision

Following the high court's landmark decision last week to strip a physical presence standard, the company said it will also begin expanding its physical footprint.

By Corinne Ruff • June 26, 2018

Liquidation startup B-Stock snags $65M investment

The company has been profitable for a decade as the complicated logistics and a flood of returned merchandise grow along with e-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • June 26, 2018

Inside the 20-year decline of Toys R Us

Cost cuts, stressed employees, intercompany rivalries, dirty floors, dusty rafters, glitchy IT, fudged metrics: The people who ran the failed toy retailer's stores know what went wrong.

By Ben Unglesbee • June 26, 2018

JD.com rakes in $24B from self-made shopping holiday

The Chinese e-commerce company's festival sales increased by 37% this year, challenging the success of Amazon's Prime Day and Alibaba's Singles Day.

By Dan Alaimo • June 25, 2018

PayPal plans to buy fraud fighter Simility

Through its latest startup acquisition, the payment company snagged a machine-learning based anti-fraud platform to help round out its capabilities.

By Dan O'Shea • June 24, 2018

Google Assistant debuts ‘Continued Conversation’ feature

The update allows for more natural conversation with Google's voice assistant — a feature that Amazon has been working on for Alexa as well.

By Dan Alaimo • June 22, 2018

What the landmark Supreme Court decision on e-commerce tax means for retail

With precedent struck down, the law heads back to South Dakota, where it is likely to be upheld. 

By Corinne Ruff • Updated June 22, 2018

Amazon reportedly disclosed Prime Day by accident

The company may be breaking its pattern of holding the shopping holiday on the second Tuesday in July to avoid competing with attention to the World Cup, TechRadar reports.

By Daphne Howland • June 22, 2018

US Supreme Court clears the way for states to collect e-commerce sales tax

The high court overturned "unsound and incorrect" precedent in its South Dakota v. Wayfair decision. 

By Corinne Ruff • June 21, 2018

Too many third-party features slow e-commerce sites

Adidas AG, The Men's Wearhouse and Ulta Beauty had the best site performance, according to a new study, but third-party features increased by 50%, dragging others down.  

By Dan O'Shea • June 21, 2018

FabFitFun, Pinterest launch top trends box

The boxes feature items from the social media site's "Pinterest 100" list of most trendy items, for a partnership that aligns "perfectly."

By Daphne Howland • June 21, 2018

Amazon opens Prime Wardrobe to all US Prime members

The service, which first launched in beta last June, allows customers to try before they buy — a popular, albeit costly trend for retailers.

By Corinne Ruff • June 21, 2018

Amazon expands 'the Hub' locker system

The lockers, which take packages from any sender, have expanded to serve half a million apartment dwellers.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2018

Amazon brings Alexa to hotels

The company is making a long-anticipated foray into the hospitality market, with Alexa moving into the vast network of Marriott hotels.

By Dan O'Shea • June 20, 2018

E-commerce optimization in the modern retail era

While consumers still want quality products—they also want to dictate their own shopping journey, including how they choose to interact with retailers and complete purchases.

June 20, 2018

Etsy dominates craft marketplaces

With 10 times more traffic than its nearest rival, Etsy is solidifying its niche, according to research from SimilarWeb.

By Daphne Howland • June 20, 2018

Ann Taylor, Loft outlets expand online

Ascena is giving its premium segment the discount treatment, in the hopes of attracting new customers to the brands.

By Daphne Howland • June 19, 2018

Google to invest $550M in JD.com in blow to Amazon, Alibaba

The tech giant follows in the footsteps of Walmart and China's Tencent, becoming the latest player to invest in juggernaut JD.com.

By Dan O'Shea • June 19, 2018