Report: Wal-Mart poised to eliminate 1K corporate jobs

The retail giant’s investments in stores and its ongoing e-commerce push are driving efforts to seek out efficiencies.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2017

7 trends that will disrupt and define retail in 2017

As the dust settles from a record-shattering holiday shopping season, the retail industry turns its focus to a new year — along with new opportunities and challenges. Here’s what you can expect.

By Jason Ankeny • Jan. 10, 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

Trunk Club founder Spaly leaves Nordstrom weeks after $197M write-down

Terry Boyle, president of NordstromRack.com/HauteLook, will also take on leadership of the online stylist unit.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2017

How Amazon Go will transform the grocery experience

The online behemoth's register-free store disrupts the landscape, but does more convenience take away from what food shopping has always been?

By Keith Loria • Jan. 9, 2017

Amazon, grocery chains to pilot online food stamp sales

The two-year pilot slated to begin this summer is designed to test online SNAP purchasing in a variety of retail types, in both urban and rural areas, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 9, 2017

In challenge to Amazon's Zappos, Wal-Mart's Jet tries on Shoebuy

The acquisition is the speediest way to expand Jet’s reach and further Wal-Mart’s goals of increasing and diversifying its online customer base.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 6, 2017

Ford adding Amazon Alexa capabilities to some of its cars

Ford’s self-described “Alexa on the go” capabilities will include voice-driven orders of Amazon products, the ability to listen to audiobooks, get directions and more.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 5, 2017

Food for thought: 7 trends set to define grocery retail in 2017

Online grocery, last-mile shipping, social media marketing, product transparency and differentiated shopping experiences will highlight the year ahead.

By Sandy Skrovan • Jan. 5, 2017

Gap testing virtual dressing room app for Google Tango smartphones

The DressingRoom app allows shoppers to overlay different clothes and outfits to see how they look from a variety of angles before making a buying decision.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017

LG introduces smart refrigerator with Amazon Alexa-enabled grocery ordering

The Smart InstaView refrigerator, powered by LG’s own webOS software platform and equipped with Wi-Fi connectivity, also can use the Alexa voice assistant technology to search recipes, play music and add items to a shopping list.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 4, 2017

Amazon Marketplace shipments eclipse record 2B in 2016

The e-commerce giant’s fulfillment and advertising programs are boosting independent merchants and brands, who have more and more ways to reach its sticky, high-spending Prime members.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2017

For first time, Alibaba sues Taobao merchants over fakes

The Chinese e-commerce giant has filed suit against two sellers, alleging sales of counterfeit Swarovski watches.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 4, 2017

The 7 trends that will shape apparel retail in 2017

Technology, integration, innovation and personalization will be all the rage in fashion retail during the year ahead.  

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 4, 2017

Amazon's one-click patent nearing expiration date

So-called “utility” patents expire 20 years after the patent filing date — in this case, Sept. 12, 1997 — meaning that other retailers will soon be able to use the one-click function without having to license it from Amazon.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Run-DMC suing retailers over trademark infringement

The iconic hip-hop group is seeking a minimum $50 million in damages over alleged sales of counterfeit merchandise.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 3, 2017

How tech drove retailer turnaround efforts in 2016

Staples, Sears and J.C. Penney were among the big sector names leaning on tech innovation to help steer their comeback narratives and position themselves for growth in 2017.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 3, 2017

Amazon lands patent for 'airborne fulfillment center' to aid drone deliveries

The blimp-like fulfillment center concept intends to stock products for drones in order to assist them in filling orders as quickly as possible.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Amazon touts bountiful holiday season for Alexa-based devices

Sales of Amazon devices employing the company’s Alexa virtual assistant technology were nine times higher than during the 2015 holiday shopping rush.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 29, 2016

Amazon finally unveils Wickedly Prime premium snack line

Unlike the e-commerce giant's Happy Belly, Mama Bear and Presto! consumables brands, Wickedly Prime features the Amazon “smile” in its logo as well as the Prime trademark.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 29, 2016

Birchbox CEO: We're here for the 'beauty majority'

The company that launched subscription-based beauty retail believes brick and mortar holds real promise. And founder Katia Beauchamp is fine with giving rivals a few incremental sales.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 28, 2016

Rent the Runway raises $60M to expand store footprint, subscription business

The New York City-based startup, co-founded in 2009 by Harvard Business School graduates Jennifer Hyman and Jennifer Fleiss, has now raised more than $190 million in venture financing.

By Jason Ankeny • Dec. 28, 2016

J. Crew website suffers extended holiday outage

The embattled apparel brand is just the latest retailer to fall victim to web issues over the critical holiday shopping season.

By Jason Ankeny • Dec. 27, 2016

Court orders Amazon to hand over customer information

A judge rejected Amazon’s argument that complying with a previous court order to hand over customer information in a class action lawsuit would violate the e-commerce kingpin's shopper confidentiality promise.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2016

Alibaba recruiting brands to escalate fight against fakes

The Chinese e-commerce colossus is establishing an anti-counterfeit advisory board to include brands and trade associations, but details are murky at best — and trust is low.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 23, 2016

Pokemon Go comes to the Apple Watch

The announcement comes just days after game developer Niantic announced Pokemon Go retail partnerships with Starbucks and Sprint.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 22, 2016