Ikea: What do shoppers want in artificial intelligence?

The Swedish retailer recently launched a survey asking consumers whether AI should be human-like, if it should be male, female or gender-neutral, and even if it should be religious.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

Report: Gift cards increasingly targeted in latest evolution of security attacks

Criminals are capable of using a variety of methods, including fast, automated bots to crack the serial numbers of gift cards, according to Flashpoint.

By Dan O'Shea • May 3, 2017

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

PopSugar adds shopping posts to drive clicks to retailers

A new article format dubbed “PopSugar Shop” features a “Shop Story” invitation for readers to look at items related to its subject.

By Daphne Howland • May 3, 2017

UPS, Sealed Air debut Packaging Innovation Center

The facility aims to help solve packaging and shipping challenges facing e-commerce retailers by maximizing efficiency, minimizing waste, reducing shipping costs and increasing brand affinity.

By Dan O'Shea • May 2, 2017

Crocs, Quicksilver leverage new SPS Commerce analytics tool

The new capability, as well as enhancements to its sourcing platform, combines retail point-of-sale and inventory data with external information across channels.

By Dan O'Shea • May 1, 2017

How Amazon is disrupting grocery

The e-commerce giant isn’t killing it in the space — yet — but analysts say its efforts are poised to pay off in the long run. 

By Daphne Howland • May 1, 2017

UPS drives up retailers' delivery costs

The shipper is instituting new charges that apply when retailers don’t ship the number or size of packages they said they would.

By Daphne Howland • May 1, 2017

Oracle adds chatbot, AI capabilities to customer experience suite

Leveraging mobile video and social messaging innovations, the suite facilitates better engagement with customers on marketing and service support fronts.

By Dan O'Shea • April 30, 2017

Bad bots represent 15.6% of e-commerce site traffic, skewing analytics

A Distil Networks report found that 94% of e-commerce sites are hit with bad bots that distort site traffic and prompt security concerns.

By Dan O'Shea • April 27, 2017

Tommy Hilfiger unveils European mobile app

The app features in-store item scanning, enhanced personalization using geo-fencing technology and the ability to shop from the brand’s Instagram feed.

By Dan O'Shea • April 27, 2017

Kit and Ace shutters all stores worldwide, except in native Canada

The news comes after a series of layoffs last year at the performance cashmere apparel maker’s Vancouver headquarters.

By Daphne Howland • April 27, 2017

Wal-Mart lowers money transfer fees, unveils mobile services

Starting next month, customers can access the mobile Bluebird2Walmart Money Transfer Service to send money for cash pick-up at Wal-mart store locations.

By Dan O'Shea • April 26, 2017

Amazon's Echo Look transforms Alexa into a personal stylist

The camera-equipped device allows users to track their outfit history and ask Alexa to assess their fashion choices.

By Dan O'Shea • April 26, 2017

LVMH to launch experiential e-commerce platform for Moët Hennessy brands

The new platform, dubbed Clos19, will offer experiences like editorial content, tastings and parties.

By Daphne Howland • April 26, 2017

Amazon adds first apparel button to Dash as program expands yet again

Two years in, the e-commerce giant’s Dash buttons are proving to be effective sales tools, especially for household goods.

By Daphne Howland • April 26, 2017

MikMak ‘minimercials’ aim to turn retailers’ social media stories into sales

The startup creates infomercials that serve as transitions between when users click on retailers' Instagram and Snapchat posts and arrive at product pages.

By Dan O'Shea • April 25, 2017

Amazon Prime reportedly doubled US membership in last 2 years

Some 60% of Amazon's customers are Prime members, who spend on average about $1,300 per year, compared to about $700 per year for non-members, according to Consumer Intelligence Research Partners.

By Daphne Howland • April 25, 2017

Amazon rolls out third-party subscription marketplace

The e-commerce giant is courting sellers of subscription services to use its "Subscribe with Amazon" marketplace to leverage Amazon product search, recommendations and other tools.

By Dan O'Shea • April 24, 2017

Report: Amazon at work on secret driverless vehicle project

The e-commerce giant is reportedly exploring how it can leverage driverless vehicle technology, which could have significant ramifications for logistics and fulfillment. 

By Dan O'Shea • April 24, 2017

Wal-Mart names Rent the Runway founder to lead first Store No. 8 project

Jennifer Fleiss, who stepped down from the apparel rental startup last month, is leading a project to realize "personalized, one-to-one shopping experiences."

By Daphne Howland • April 24, 2017

Study: Beauty discovers accelerating growth online

Yet, e-commerce sales have led to an erosion in loyalty, according to A.T. Kearny’s biennial report of online sales in the beauty and personal care industry.

By Daphne Howland • April 24, 2017

Shopify launches B2B channel support, automated flash sales management

The new capabilities include support for a wholesale storefront and a platform to help merchants manage digital flash sale and event-oriented marketing campaigns.

By Dan O'Shea • April 23, 2017

Adidas rolls out more shoes made from recycled ocean plastics

The athletic apparel and footwear company unveiled new editions of UltraBOOST, UltraBOOST X and UltraBOOST Uncaged through its Parley for the Oceans partnership.

By Dan O'Shea • April 23, 2017

Brick-and-mortar record stores stage revival

Vinyl album sales have risen from annual sales of fewer than one million in 2005 to more than 13 million last year.

By Daphne Howland • April 21, 2017

Invertex rakes in $2M in seed funding to grow footwear technology

The fashion technology startup uses 3D digitization and other technologies to allow brands to produce and sell measure-to-fit footwear.

By Dan O'Shea • April 20, 2017