Technology

  • External shot of a Williams Sonoma store.
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    The image by Mike Mozart is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Williams-Sonoma to test ads in ChatGPT

    The home retailer is partnering with OpenAI to reach customers at decision-making moments and enhance product discovery.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2026
  • ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude and Perplexity app icons are seen on a Google Pixel smartphone.
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    Getty Images
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    Why brands need to optimize their mobile apps and websites for AI

    Brands have built their digital experiences on Google’s search algorithm, but that needs to change as consumer behavior evolves, experts say.

    By Michael Brady • Feb. 18, 2026
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    Shutterstock.com

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    Trendline

    Digital innovation and technology trends in retail

    Generative AI and TikTok Shop have replaced the metaverse and NFTs as the hot topics of the day — here’s a look at how brands are using them.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • The Pinterest icon
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    Retrieved from Brett Jordan from Pexels.
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    Pinterest ‘not satisfied’ with Q4 revenue, points to tariffs

    The company said large retailers have been disproportionately impacted by tariffs and thus have been pulling back on ad spend in order to protect margins.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 18, 2026
  • A rendering of Wayfair's store in Columbus, Ohio
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    Courtesy of Wayfair
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    Wayfair, Affirm expand partnership to UK and Canada

    Shoppers will receive a real-time approval decision when they select the payment company’s BNPL service at checkout. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 17, 2026
  • AI generated Online shopping payment concept.
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    iStock-2252272136_saifulasmee chede

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    Sponsored by Melissa

    Data quality is a margin protection strategy

    Better address and identity data prevent fraud loss, marketing waste and failed deliveries.

    By Greg Brown, Vice President of Global Marketing, Melissa • Feb. 17, 2026
  • This image depicts the podcast series cover image for Simon-Kucher's Retail Dive series, "Decoded: The New Consumer"
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    Alyssa Eckel-Martin/Retail Dive
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    Sponsored by Simon-Kucher

    [Podcast] Decoded: The New Consumer

    This podcast uncovers how AI, influencers, and shifting consumer habits are reshaping the future of retail.

    By Retail Dive's studioID • Feb. 17, 2026
  • A Crocs storefront
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    "Crocs International Mall" by Phillip Pessar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    TikTok Shop spurs Crocs, Heydude DTC sales

    Overall, Crocs finished 2025 with a Q4 that beat expectations, and executives even expect struggling Heydude to return to growth later this year.

    By • Feb. 13, 2026
  • A customer presses the image of the ChatGPT app on their phone.
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    Getty Images
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    Target to test contextual ads in ChatGPT, including through Roundel

    Bringing Roundel brands to ChatGPT suggests retail media networks could be a bridge for larger AI chatbot advertising adoption. 

    By Peter Adams • Feb. 12, 2026
  • A person shops online
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    Getty Images
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    Fewer consumers are shopping online on a daily basis

    The number of consumers who turn to e-commerce daily has declined 12 percentage points from last year, with in-store shoppers on the rise.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 11, 2026
  • eBay Amazon agentic AI commerce AI retailers digital shopping online retail
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    Getty Images
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    How AI commerce threatens eBay, Amazon

    Agentic robots that shop and pay without human involvement could render marketplaces obsolete – and major retailers are responding.

    By Justin Bachman • Feb. 11, 2026
  • Former Walmart Inc. CEO Doug McMillon speaking at a New York City event
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    Michael M. Santiago / Staff via Getty Images
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    Walmart’s decade of change with Doug McMillon

    The longtime CEO has passed the baton to John Furner, but McMillon’s technology and e-commerce legacy is lasting.

    By • Feb. 9, 2026
  • Walmart
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Walmart to add automation, robotics to Louisiana distribution center

    The retailer’s $330 million investment, slated to start this year, is part of a larger effort to upgrade all 42 of its regional distribution facilities.

    By Kelly Stroh • Feb. 9, 2026
  • Whether a customer is browsing online, checking store availability or tracking a delivery in real-time, today’s retail experience is only as strong as the digital systems behind it. As omnichannel customers shop more frequently, spend more per transaction and deliver higher lifetime value than single-channel shoppers, expectations for flawless performance across every touchpoint continue to rise
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    stock.adobe.com/faizan

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    Sponsored by Tata Communications

    The imperatives redefining the retail experience

    How retail CIOs should manage speed, scale and experience in an always-on world.  

    By Tata Communications • Feb. 9, 2026
  • A Home Depot storefront with a blue sky and lawnmowers in front
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    The Home Depot debuts Material List Builder AI

    The technology helps its Pro customers quickly generate project material lists from voice prompts, emails, texts or existing documents. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 6, 2026
  • A Neiman Marcus storefront in downtown Chicago
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Saks Global brings back Neiman Marcus exec to oversee marketing, e-commerce

    Cheryl Han, who joined Saks Global’s leadership early last year but left months later, has taken the dual role of chief marketing and digital officer.

    By • Feb. 6, 2026
  • A group of avatars walk on a horizon with the Coty name on the left.
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    Courtesy of Coty
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    Coty partners with OpenAI

    The company is weaving AI throughout its business as the technology serves as “an efficiency enhancer” for creativity and strategic thinking.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 5, 2026
  • A Bed Bath & Beyond sign against a blue sky with puffy white clouds.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. to acquire Tokens.com

    The home retailer is building a tokenized investment platform, supporting its larger goal of being involved in home financing.

    By • Feb. 4, 2026
  • A person wearing Rhone's commuter shirt.
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    Courtesy of Rhone
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    Rhone launches resale program

    ReRhone is powered by resale tech platform Archive and debuts with branded inventory sourced from customer returns.

    By Howard Ruben • Feb. 3, 2026
  • The Vitamin Shoppe's innovation store.
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    Courtesy of The Vitamin Shoppe
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    The Vitamin Shoppe opens AI-enabled store in NYC

    The location debuts the company’s Shoppe Advisor, an AI-powered discovery tool that focuses on in-store education, engagement and personalization. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 2, 2026
  • A Saks store in Chicago.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    What to watch in retail in 2026

    From the trajectory of the department store segment to the rise of generative AI, here’s what Retail Dive is keeping an eye on this year.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A woman uses her palm to show credentials for an access control point.
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    Courtesy of Amazon Web Services
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    Amazon to halt palm payments

    The company said all Amazon One palm readers will be removed from physical stores by June 3.

    By Patrick Cooley • Jan. 30, 2026
  • A person looks at the Pinterest app on their phone.
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    Getty Images
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    Pinterest to lay off 15% amid AI investment

    As the social media giant integrates AI further into its platform, the company is trimming its staff and office footprint.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 29, 2026
  • A mannequin shot from the back stares at a wall of TVs broadcasting a music video in a new ad from Crocs.
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    Permission granted by Crocs, Inc.
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    Crocs puts self-expression over algorithmic sameness with new platform

    Ads show mannequins dancing to life and growing more human as the footwear marketer encourages real-world experiences over digital drudgery. 

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 29, 2026
  • A custome renters a Home Depot store
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Home Depot cuts 800 jobs

    The roles within its Atlanta store support center are primarily concentrated in its tech organization. 

    By • Jan. 28, 2026
  • Outside storefront image of The Home Depot
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    Courtesy of The Home Depot
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    Home Depot’s key to great AI experiences? Ensure it remains an authority

    The retailer started early and will continue to evolve its AI efforts “so that the brand voice shows up the way we want it to,” CIO Angie Brown said.

    By Bryan Wassel • Jan. 28, 2026