Top Five Friday: Sketchy returns and CEO confessions

The retail-sphere was buzzing this week with news of tech launches and fun fitting programs. From funny return stories to an insight on the growing Hispanic consumer group, below are this week's most read content on Retail Dive.  Former J.C. Penney CEO reveals he tried to quit thre...

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 11, 2014

Spring mobile shopping app raises $7.5M

Spring’s developers hope to make a mobile marketplace that could give Amazon a run for its money.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2014

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

Wal-Mart offers lower prices to online customers

The move takes on Amazon, but seems a bit disruptive to the retailer’s omnichannel approach.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2014

Report: Mobile ads move shopping

A great majority of consumers say mobile ads would motivate them to visit a store.

By Daphne Howland • July 11, 2014

Spring raises $7.5 million for mobile shopping app

The new company is looking to build a digital shopping mall to compete with heavy hitters like Amazon and eBay. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • July 10, 2014

Another Pinterest tweak makes following brands easier

The social network is testing a service where shoppers can stay on a retail website and still follow its Pinterest content.

By Daphne Howland • July 10, 2014

Lands' End to use online fitting service

Secret Sauce Partners says its Fit Predictor uses data from past purchases rather than actual measurements to find the best fitting clothes.

By Daphne Howland • July 10, 2014

Current events create challenge for mobile wallet Isis

The company announced that it will change its name after it became caught up in a tough branding challenge due to violence in the Middle East. 

By Daphne Howland • July 9, 2014

Target hires three tech executives

With these new hires, the retailer continues to bolster its tech talent and break its tradition of hiring from within.

By Daphne Howland • July 9, 2014

Amazon attempting to woo Hachette authors

The retailer says it will give all e-book profits to Hachette authors until an agreement can be reached between it and the publisher.

By Daphne Howland • July 9, 2014

You can't return that: Strange stories from the customer service counter

Consumers expect easy returns, but some customers take that beyond the limit.

By Daphne Howland • July 9, 2014

UPDATE: Russia calls US arrest of alleged big-time hacker a kidnapping

The Secret Service's arrest of a Russian man allegedly in connection with payment fraud is now another issue between Russia and the U.S.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2014

Report: Security fears holding back mobile payments

But consumers seem primed for the convenience of mobile, saying they would spend more at select locations if the payment method was offered.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2014

Redirects hampering mobile page loads

A study testing major retail websites finds that many page loads take an extra eight seconds longer on mobile.

By Daphne Howland • July 8, 2014

Bonobos raises $55M in Series D funding

The e-commerce men’s retailer will use the capital to invest in creating more of its “guideshops.”

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2014

Authors plunge into Amazon dispute

While writers with traditional book deals are urging action against the e-retail giant, self-published writers say the e-book dispute is about protecting “New York publishing.”

By Daphne Howland • July 7, 2014

For most retailers, physical stores remain essential

A report found that physical stores are key to e-commerce growth, and vice versa.

By Daphne Howland • July 3, 2014

Report: Consumer satisfaction, expectations up

A benchmark study finds that satisfaction with retailers is slightly up. But with expectations also up, retailers have a lot of work to do.

By Daphne Howland • July 3, 2014

Chico's taps new e-commerce exec, mulls going private

Experts say the retailer could work on more flexible growth if it didn’t have to cater to shareholders.

By Daphne Howland • July 2, 2014

Signet experiences post-merger shakeups

Signet Jewelers Ltd., which acquired Zale Corp. last month, has announced major executive-level changes.

By Daphne Howland • July 2, 2014

California reverses ban, legalizes bitcoin

The move comes as more retailers accept alternative currencies.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2014

Report says mobile payment acceptance is slow, but steady

While reluctance to use contactless payments is still in place, researchers believe the methods will continue to grow steadily.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2014

Hachette acquires publisher, bulks up in Amazon fight

The move, which grows and diversifies the company, could also be a factor in its dispute with Amazon over e-book sales.

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2014

Will Amazon's Fire phone burn its retail competition?

Amazon’s new phone is set up to hurt other retailers, but who's buying it?

By Daphne Howland • July 1, 2014

Wanelo snags prominent spot at Nordstrom

The site’s app has become an instant sensation with fickle teen shoppers.

By Daphne Howland • June 30, 2014