Conversational Commerce: 5 trends to watch in 2018

The Retail Dive team huddled up in the podcast studio at NRF's Big Show to break down how the role of brands, technology and more will define the year ahead.  

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 22, 2018

Alibaba, Microsoft score a 'B' in AI

Both tech companies said their AI systems managed to score over 82% in a Stanford reading and comprehension test, deemed a "human score."

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 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

Shoppers shifting from apps, websites to voice assistants

Within three years, 40% of consumers will use a voice assistant as an alternative to a mobile app or website, according to a survey from Capgemini.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2018

Amazon Go opens to the public

The company has smoothed out glitches in the cashierless store as one of the most anticipated retail concepts in years finally goes live. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 22, 2018

Casper fortifies growth strategy with new CMO

Jeff Brooks, who has 25 years of brand-building experience, will be the retailer's new chief marketing officer.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 19, 2018

Coty brings beauty to Echo Show

The beauty brand released a skill for Amazon's Echo Show, which helps customers get gussied up for special occasions.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 19, 2018

Amazon shipping cheap goods free, raising monthly Prime rate

The e-commerce giant quietly introduced an "Under $10" selection that ships free even to non-Prime members — but hiked prices 18% on its monthly Prime membership

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 19, 2018

Survey: Online shoppers love deals, free shipping

Recent findings from both Radial and the National Retail Federation show consumers have made low prices and free shipping table stakes for online retailers.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 18, 2018

Amazon unveils top 20 cities for HQ2

Let the jockeying begin: Amazon will make a final decision this year after a deeper dive into each city's potential.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018

12 retail execs share their goals for 2018

There are takeaways and tips aplenty from NRF's Big Show this week. Here, retail leaders share their thoughts and priorities for the year to come.

By Corinne Ruff , Laura Heller , Cara Salpini • Jan. 18, 2018

Amazon leads US online grocery with 18% share

The online giant now claims twice the market share of Walmart, thanks to its acquisition of Whole Foods, according to One Click Retail.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018

Gander Outdoors launches website revamp

The Gander brand is making progress on and offline under new owner Camping World.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018

52% of online apparel shoppers turn to Amazon

If retailers and brands can't compete with free shipping or low prices, they need a unique, high quality product, according to a new report.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018

CPGs need emerging markets, e-commerce and partnerships in 2018

The rise of private labels is just one challenge facing consumer product goods companies in 2018, according to a new report from Deloitte.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2018

5 big takeaways from CES

Retailers played a big role at the Consumer Electronics Show with the first High-Tech Retailing Summit, and Amazon's Alexa absolutely everywhere.

By Laura Heller • Jan. 17, 2018

Looking at the 'reverse of the reverse:' Why 2017 wasn't all bad

At the NRF's Big Show on Monday, Lee Peterson of WD Partners encouraged retailers to rethink what they take away from a year of demise and disruption.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 17, 2018

Walmart 3-D image patent lets shoppers pick their produce

The technology could remove one of the biggest obstacles to buying fresh food online.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 17, 2018

Just 4% of brands are marketing 'geniuses'

But even some of the brands with good scores — like Macy's and Nordstrom — are facing strong headwinds in other areas.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 17, 2018

Online mall rings up cryptocurrencies

The Singapore-based MegaX is aiming to capture the hearts and wallets of millennial shoppers by allowing them to pay with Bitcoin and MGX.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2018

Retailers boost tech spending 3% as markets, operations grow

North American and global retail markets are expanding by trillions of dollars, and tech investment is rising with the growth.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2018

Amazon’s Alexa could start giving out opinions

The virtual assistant may eventually respond to recommendation-based questions with more thoughtful answers, not just the facts.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2018

Boxed CEO: brick and mortar is 'absolutely' in its future

Chieh Huang did not confirm or deny rumors at the NRF's Big Show that the e-commerce company would be acquired by Kroger, but still hopes to "push the button on the New York Stock Exchange."

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 15, 2018

Supreme Court to rule whether e-retailers pay state sales tax

Brick-and-mortar retailers have long argued that a precedent gives online players an unfair advantage.

By Corinne Ruff • Jan. 15, 2018

Lacoste's US stores accept Alipay to target Chinese tourists

The sportswear brand is adding the popular payments platform to select stores.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 12, 2018

Jeff Bezos is the world's richest person

The Amazon founder and CEO surpassed Microsoft founder Bill Gates with a net worth of $106 billion, according to Bloomberg.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2018