Pandemic-fueled omnichannel shopping surge here to stay: Nielsen

Buying across both store and online channels increased 50% in 2020 and doesn't show signs of slowing anytime soon, the data firm noted.

By Rosie Bradbury • Jan. 5, 2021

Holidays in review: What defined the season in 2020

From virtual services and contactless pickup to a Black Friday unlike any other, retailers were forced to adapt.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Caroline Jansen , Kaarin Moore • Dec. 31, 2020

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

Will the e-commerce boom be a bust this season?

An unprecedented number of packages are taxing retailers' ability to deliver. A lot are going to be late, and that will have consequences beyond the holidays.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 22, 2020

Pomelo fashion enhances shoppers' experience, increases revenue using Amazon Personalize

This global fashion e-commerce set out to create personalized customer experiences that would improve the discoverability of new items and increase revenue.

Dec. 21, 2020

Grove Collaborative raises $125M to launch new brands

The funding brings the DTC brand to a $1.32 billion valuation as it looks to expand into new categories.

By Maria Monteros • Dec. 21, 2020

Crisis Management: The 3-year strategy that paid off for Brooks this year

Chief Operating Officer Dan Sheridan discusses how the brand's multichannel initiative kept the company alive, and thriving, during the pandemic.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 21, 2020

Most shoppers plan on making a return after the holidays

This year's online surge means a record number of items could make their way back onto shelves. Retailers should see it as an opportunity.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2020

Advantage shifts to stores as a holiday dominated by e-commerce wraps up

At this point, even many online orders will be fulfilled via brick and mortar.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 18, 2020

How COVID-19 prompted new thinking for omnichannel

Accelerated investments in 2020 redefined omnichannel, writes Amanda Bourlier, head of retail at Euromonitor International.

By Amanda Bourlier • Dec. 18, 2020

Barkbox merger with SPAC approved

The new company, which will be renamed "The Original Bark Company," will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday.

By Caroline Jansen • Updated June 1, 2021

With an end to pandemic struggles in sight, beauty looks toward a prettier future

Unlike apparel, which will face a longer recovery, beauty could be back to 2019 levels by the first half of 2021, according to McKinsey.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 17, 2020

Sam's Club equips its fulfillment operations with robotic pickers

The retailer has adopted the use of autonomous mobile robots in its new Southern California fulfillment center for e-commerce orders.

By Gary Wollenhaupt • Dec. 17, 2020

Few consumers are happy with their online shopping experience: report

As more consumers turn to e-commerce, frustration with retailers' websites and apps could create headaches.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Amazon Fashion launches custom T-shirt sales

Available in the U.S., the app-based tech helps customers determine their ideal size, fit, color and style, and could reduce returns and waste.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2020

Instagram debuts Shopping in Reels

Brands and creators can tag products in the videos they post, which users are able to view or purchase from directly.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

WhatsApp introduces carts feature to simplify in-app purchases

The platform has rolled out e-commerce features in recent years to help sellers connect with customers.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 15, 2020

Retailers' best e-commerce asset may be their brick-and-mortar stores

In a rare vulnerability for Amazon, research is piling up that customers want omnichannel services for both shopping and returns. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 14, 2020

'We're about millimeters in terms of fit': How Wacoal and Lively found a shared purpose

Michelle Cordeiro Grant's startup was acquired last year by the department store mainstay, but the two have more in common than appears at first blush.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 14, 2020

What's selling in 2020's holiday season

This year, consumers sought out comfort over experiences.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 14, 2020

Bridal retailer Avery Austin debuts e-commerce, try-at-home model

Wedding retailers have unveiled digital tools throughout the year as COVID-19 keeps customers from shopping in-store.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 11, 2020

Vendor ransomware attack disrupts DSW's inventory management

The impact of cyberattacks on retailers and their vendors is even greater during this digital-first period brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

By Emma Cosgrove • Dec. 10, 2020

Chewy reports record sales over Black Friday, Cyber Week

Operating largely online in a growth category has proven beneficial for the pet retailer as consumers remain wary of shopping in stores due to the pandemic.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 9, 2020

GameStop posts 30% sales drop but sees growth ahead

The pandemic, limited availability of new consoles and a reduced store count hurt the gaming retailer's third quarter sales, but November brought a spike. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 9, 2020

P&G, Billie call off their deal after federal antitrust complaint

The Federal Trade Commission last month said it would block the consumer product giant’s acquisition of the women's shaving startup.

By Daphne Howland • Updated Jan. 6, 2021

Consumers are spending less this holiday season: survey

But, they are shopping online due to convenience, deals and free shipping — a trend that may stick around even after the pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 9, 2020