Report: Free shipping drives sales

The latest UPS report also finds that easy returns influence purchases and retailers must catch up in m-commerce.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 2014

Pinners never quit and quitters never pin: Retail's Pinterest success

Facebook continues to dominate in number of users, but Pinterest is emerging as a dynamic social network that wins retail customers over.

By Daphne Howland • June 17, 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

Forget drones, Amazon aims for phones

If successful, the e-commerce giant’s smartphone could capture and keep customers in a whole new way.

By Daphne Howland • June 16, 2014

Five online customer service essentials retailers need to know

Experts at IRCE shared some of the most exciting advancements in online customer service. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 13, 2014

Lands' End performing better post-Sears

Q1 results at the apparel retailer include increased sales and bigger profits.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Facebook giving users greater control over ads

It's also expanding the use of consumer data to drive ad placement on user pages.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Report: Millennials willing to fill the virtual complaint box

While Gen X and Baby Boomers interact with brands on social media, millennials are much more likely to share complaints online.

By Daphne Howland • June 13, 2014

Report: Consumers want easier online shopping

Shoppers want free shipping and returns and easier back-and-forth between websites and stores.

By Daphne Howland • June 12, 2014

Five facts you need to know about global e-commerce

Experts at IRCE shared some useful insights on expanding beyond the American online marketplace. 

By Kelsey Lindsey • June 12, 2014

Alibaba's U.S. marketplace goes live

The Chinese retail giant aims to look and be different from Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • June 12, 2014

Amazon playing hardball in dispute with Warner Bros.

The e-commerce giant is not allowing pre-orders of upcoming Warner Bros. movies, a move similar to tactics against book publisher Hachette.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2014

New Pinterest hires hail from Apple

Both executives spent more than eight years at Apple and worked together on projects while at the company.

By Daphne Howland • June 11, 2014

PayPal president jumps to Facebook

David Marcus became president of the payment service company two years ago.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2014

Wal-Mart names new CEO of e-commerce

Fernando Madeira succeeds Joel Anderson, who departs for discount retailer Five Below.

By Daphne Howland • June 10, 2014

How Amazon loses even if it wins the Hatchette fight

In its highly publicized dispute with one of the world's biggest publishers, Amazon seems to have lost its footing.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2014

RadioShack getting speedy with same-day repairs

The retailer is piloting “Fix It Here” stations that provide same-day repairs to smartphones and tablets.

By Daphne Howland • June 9, 2014

Barnes & Noble looks to revive Nook brand with Samsung partnership

The companies have a deal to offer co-branded tablets.

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2014

Pinterest enhancing analytics, testing DIY pins for marketers

The social media network continues to try new ways to make itself more useful to retailers.

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2014

Home goods e-retailer Fab says it'll be open for years, despite rumors

Fab’s CEO strenuously denies a report by Valleywag that the company is at death’s door.

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2014

The state of payment security

Everyone agrees that payments must be more secure, but transactions across all channels remain vulnerable.

By Daphne Howland • June 6, 2014

PayPal reportedly considering bitcoin

But critics say PayPal is itself a viable payment alternative, offering more stability than bitcoin can.

By Daphne Howland • June 5, 2014

Apple's iOS8 expands fingerprint access to more apps

The technology could eventually have implications for secure mobile payments.

By Daphne Howland • June 4, 2014

Uh-oh: 'Omnichannel' may not be enough

Consumer expectations dictate that retailers must find the sweet spot between highly personalized interactions and increased security.

By Daphne Howland • June 4, 2014

In a shift, Apple to allow bitcoin-using apps

The tech giant has changed its developer terms to allow “approved virtual currencies.”

By Daphne Howland • June 3, 2014

Several retailers keep e-commerce tech in-house

The approach allows for tighter control of customer relationship management, the companies say.

By Daphne Howland • June 3, 2014