Taobao tech improves online shopping for visually-impaired

China's largest online marketplace is embracing accessibility initiatives, the latest of which uses technology to help blind shoppers.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 27, 2019

75% of search shopping impressions occur on mobile

Growth in advertising on Amazon spurred a fivefold jump in e-commerce ad spending, according to a report from digital ad platform Kenshoo.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 25, 2019

Explore the Trendline➔

How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

By Retail Dive staff

Walmart gamifies store associate training with Spark City

The app, which already has had more than 104,000 downloads, puts the player in charge of a dry goods department.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2019

TSYS launches Vital POS, challenging Square, Stripe

The payments provider's new line of point-of-sale products targets the same small- and medium-merchant territory as several market leaders.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2019

Amazon tests small autonomous delivery vehicle

While the trial is limited for now, this points to a larger trend of the e-commerce giant exploring ways to improve its last-mile delivery capabilities.

By Dan O'Shea • Updated Jan. 28, 2019

Foursquare report: Discount retailers earn high loyalty rankings

A study by the mobile app company suggests that, above all, low prices and sales may keep customers coming back to stores.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2019

ShopRunner gains UPS investment, acquires anti-fraud firm Precognitive

The marketplace and free shipping service expands again, adding a big-name investor and acquiring an AI-based security tool provider.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2019

What can US retailers learn from China?

Stores like Alibaba's Hema offer a vision of the future for American grocers, but experts say creating a similarly seamless omnichannel experience isn't easy — and may not be possible.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 23, 2019

Target rolls out in-store contactless payments

The retailer will soon accept Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay in all stores. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

Ashley Furniture surpasses CTR benchmarks by 2x with AR ads

Shoppers can use a smartphone or tablet to place 3D versions of products in their homes while using Yahoo Mail.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 22, 2019

Flipkart invests $201M in wholesale unit amid e-commerce market shake-up

Increased competition and regulatory changes in India's e-commerce market are poised to affect Flipkart, Amazon and Reliance, among others.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

Balmain launches new mobile app with AR, VR features

The fashion retailer rolled out a new mobile app with augmented reality, live streaming of events and other content.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2019

7 cool tech innovations from NRF

The conference featured everything from inspiring gadgets to products that may never get off the ground due to an inability to scale.

By Kaarin Moore • Jan. 18, 2019

Google acquires smartwatch intellectual property from Fossil

The acquisition comes as the tech giant is in the midst of rolling out updates to its own wearable devices.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 18, 2019

Square rolls out business debit card

In an attempt to encourage sales at other local businesses, cardholders are offered a discount on purchases made at Square-powered merchants.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 18, 2019

Retail Therapy: 2 isn't always better than 1 when it comes to fashion

In an attempt to solve a problem no one has, this brand released a pair of jeans that combines two styles in one.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 18, 2019

5 retail technology trends to watch in 2019

Many of the hottest retail technologies for 2019 are iterations of earlier tech that may finally be at an adoption tipping point this year.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 17, 2019

Why failing can still earn 'bravo points'

A simple pat on the back can lead to fearless innovation, according to executives from ThredUp, La-Z-Boy and Men's Wearhouse.

By Samantha Schwartz • Jan. 17, 2019

Nike returns to self-lacing shoe with more refined technology

It took more than two years, but Nike is bringing another self-lacing shoe out with much more developed technology at a better price.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 17, 2019

Fanatics drafts Synchrony for branded credit card launch

The online retailer becomes the latest big brand to partner up for its own store-branded credit card.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Only 14% of consumers influenced by in-store VR/AI tech

A study by Oracle NetSuite found that there is a disconnect between retail technology and consumer needs. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Walgreens partners with Microsoft to develop digital healthcare

The companies are in a massive multi-year agreement in a move against Amazon. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 16, 2019

Walmart plans high-tech consolidation center in California

The facility will receive shipments from suppliers before sending them to distribution centers, reducing the numbers of orders suppliers have to fulfill from 42 to 1.

By Edwin Lopez • Jan. 15, 2019

Giant/Martin's, Stop & Shop add 500 in-store robots

The grocery giant will start deploying the tech in these stores in early 2019, while other banners will continue to test the autonomous devices.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 15, 2019

NRF Big Show 2019: IBM helps retailers deliver happiness. Again and again.

Digital disruption may have created a crisis for incumbent brands, but it’s a growth opportunity for the businesses who embrace it.

Jan. 15, 2019