Agile Network bolsters e-commerce supply chain with Ajillus acquisition

The deal comes as the retail supply chain is becoming increasingly complex, with the industry now offering an abundance of shipping pricing models and a rising number of delivery options.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 15, 2016

Analysts: Amazon Prime Day a factor in stagnant July retail sales

While July retail sales fell 0.3% overall, July 12's Prime Day sale eclipsed last year’s inaugural event by more than 60% worldwide and more than 50% in the U.S. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 15, 2016

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

Amazon tries selling through one-click Prime Video product placements

Amazon and entertainment company Yoshimoto Kogyo are filming a series about Japanese cuisine that will enable Amazon Prime Japan viewers to use their TV remotes to purchase featured products.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 14, 2016

Study: 57% of back-to-school shoppers plan physical store purchases

A.T. Kearney found that back-to-school shoppers are spending more this year than last, and that most of them are open to using mobile devicces and promotions while they shop in-store.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 11, 2016

Wal-Mart's huge US footprint could erase Jet's sales tax advantage

Wal-Mart’s formidable nationwide network of stores and fulfillment centers could force newly-acquired e-commerce upstart Jet to collect taxes in many more states.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 11, 2016

Why Wal-Mart acquired Jet: It's all about transforming its customer base

Wal-Mart's blockbuster deal for upstart Jet heralds a new chapter in the retail goliath's war on Amazon's online dominance. Critics question whether Wal-Mart will keep making the same old mistakes.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 10, 2016

Alibaba aims to friend foreign firms seeking entry to Chinese market

The new AliLaunch program helps foreign companies sell products, find partners and navigate the numerous regulatory requirements imposed by China’s government.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 9, 2016

Honeywell reportedly eyeing JDA Software acquisition

The rumored negotiations follow just weeks after Honeywell purchased warehouse automation firm Intelligrated for $1.5 billion.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 8, 2016

Wal-Mart buys Jet for record-breaking $3b

Wal-Mart has struggled to compete online, with growth stagnating at around 7% and online sales of $14 billion last year, paling in comparison to Amazon's $99 billion retail business. 

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 8, 2016

Alibaba CTO touts analytics, doesn't see Amazon as competition

Jeff Zhang said Alibaba's primary business model is different from Amazon's, and that his company is not "terribly clear on Amazon China's plans."

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 7, 2016

Report: Wal-Mart/Jet talks may lead to investment, not acquisition

Insiders say Jet is seeking to raise about $640 million at a valuation of approximately $1.7 billion in an effort to expand its battle against e-commerce goliath Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 5, 2016

Amazon Dash Replenishment adds more connected devices, brand partners

The program leverages Wi-Fi sensors embedded in appliances and other items to enable automatic re-ordering of supplies for these products when customers run out of them.

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 4, 2016

Pinterest to launch native video tool

Retailers will soon be able to create how-to videos that provide tips and show off products to potential shoppers.

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 4, 2016

Cash-strapped Birchbox raises $15m from investors

So far in 2016, the struggling startup has laid off 80 employees, scaled back expansion plans and halted Canadian operations.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 3, 2016

Nike debuts revamped app featuring shopping, fitness services

The new app is one of the first offerings released under its new chief digital officer Adam Sussman. 

By Dan O'Shea • Aug. 2, 2016

Report: Amazon is the preferred marketplace for Chinese sellers

The e-commerce giant edged out competitors Alibaba and Wish as the primary online marketplace for Chinese sellers. 

By Corinne Ruff • Aug. 2, 2016

The real reason Amazon is phasing out MSRPs

The e-commerce goliath is taking steps to stop listing manufacturers' suggested retail prices. Some speculate it's paving the way to raise its prices, but that's not the Amazon that experts know.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 1, 2016

Amazon launches Chinese-language site for Japanese market

China-based e-commerce growth in Japan is projected to nearly triple to 2.34 trillion yen ($22.5 billion USD) in 2019.

By Daphne Howland • Aug. 1, 2016

UPS rides e-commerce rocket to higher profit, revenue

The shipper's Q2 revenue climbed 3.8%, reaching $14.63 billion. Profit rose 3.2% to $1.27 billion.

By Dan O'Shea • July 31, 2016

Target CIO grows IT staff, tightens budget, hones tech focus

Mike McNamara has hired more than 700 new engineers while refocusing on a streamlined list of high-priority IT projects.

By Dan O'Shea • July 31, 2016

Sam's Club overhauls membership processes with Salesforce cloud

The wholesale chain is migrating from manual, paper-based processes to a more flexible, automated digital model.

By Dan O'Shea • July 28, 2016

Q&A: Why retailers should keep an eye on Amazon and the growing B2B market

"The unavoidable fact is that Amazon has so many eyeballs on it, that you can't afford not to partner with Amazon." 

By Dan O'Shea • July 28, 2016

On-demand grocery delivery startup Shipt raises $20m

The Instacart rival received Series A funding from Greycroft Partners, e.ventures and seed investor Harbert Growth Partners.

By Corinne Ruff • July 28, 2016

Amazon Launchpad debuts Kickstarter collection

The startup-focused online marketplace will showcase more than 300 crowdfunded inventions.

By Daphne Howland • July 28, 2016

DHL earmarks $137m to expand e-commerce logistics footprint in US

The German shipping firm will build eight new distribution centers in the U.S. to accommodate cross-border e-commerce demands.

By Dan O'Shea • July 27, 2016