Alphabet backs mobile scanning developer Scandit

A venture capital arm of Google's parent is now behind a Swiss company that promises big advances in the use of mobile cameras for retail scanning.

By Dan Alaimo • July 27, 2018

Walmart, Waymo test driverless BOPIS service

The retailer is the latest to flirt with autonomous tech in a limited test that allows grocery shoppers to hitch a ride in a driverless vehicle to pick up orders.

By Dan O'Shea • July 26, 2018

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

Click-and-collect ‘superconsumers’ buy more in stores

New research from OrderDynamics identifies a group of the most active online shoppers as aggressive users of all channels, including brick-and-mortar.

By Dan Alaimo • July 26, 2018

Guess US stores add Alipay’s mobile wallet to reach Chinese tourists

A geolocation-based "Discover" function within the app lets travelers find nearby Guess stores, receive promotions and make purchases.

By Robert Williams • July 25, 2018

Mobile commerce startup shutters after failing to deliver

Unlike other doomed shopping apps, Grabble still has investment money that its co-founders intend to use to start another business.

By Dan Alaimo • July 25, 2018

Target taps Google Cloud as vendor refuses to be 'distant third' behind AWS, Microsoft

Target isn't the only retailer getting its cloud from an Amazon Web Services rival. Recently, Walmart chose Azure as its primary provider. 

By Samantha Schwartz • July 25, 2018

Study: Snapchat users buy 20% more gifts during holidays

Victoria's Secret and Target saw the biggest jumps in foot traffic among Snapchat users on Black Friday.

By Robert Williams • July 24, 2018

Amazon rolls out Part Finder image search

The retail giant unveils a new use case for image recognition and visual search capabilities, taking aim at the home improvements category.

By Dan O'Shea • July 24, 2018

Amazon's Alexa Accelerator reveals new class of startups

The second voice tech accelerator drew participants from around the world who develop smart home, science, gaming and enterprise applications, among others.

By Dan Alaimo • July 24, 2018

Sprout Social forges deeper integration with Pinterest

The analytics provider's partnership is aimed at helping its brand customers market more efficiently and effectively through the social network.

By Dan O'Shea • July 23, 2018

Amazon plans fulfillment center for Spokane, Washington

The 600,000-square-foot facility will have four floors and make heavy use of robotics.

By Dan Alaimo • July 23, 2018

Walmart laying off 260 at optical plants

Two years ago nearly 100 workers were laid off at its Dallas optical lab after the installation of automated equipment.

By Daphne Howland • July 23, 2018

Amazon's latest patent dreams up product-chucking robots

The e-tailer continues to pile up technology patents, with its latest two covering robotic concepts for fulfillment centers.

By Dan O'Shea • July 20, 2018

Study: Voice investment plans don't align with preparedness

Many consider voice customer service tools like chatbots a quick way to boost image and profits, but a new Globant report urges preparation and caution.

By Dan Alaimo • July 20, 2018

Study: Shoppers prefer Apple Pay but spend more with Walmart Pay

Merchants can gain a competitive edge over Apple Pay by highlighting discount- and shopping-focused app features.

By Robert Williams • July 19, 2018

Amazon sold over 1M smart home devices on Prime Day

The retailer once again used Prime Day as an opportunity to lure more customers into its Alexa-enabled device ecosystem.

By Dan O'Shea • July 19, 2018

10 startups kick off Target + Techstars accelerator

Now in its third year, the retail accelerator has proven it can spur the growth of small companies while helping Target compete with the latest technology.

By Dan Alaimo • July 19, 2018

Amazon Go competitor raises $5.5M

Standard Cognition, a prominent player in the rising cashierless technology sector, has now raised $11.2 million to date.

By Dan O'Shea • July 18, 2018

Walmart mulls video streaming, The Information reports

The service would compete directly with Amazon Prime Video and Netflix at lower prices, and maybe for free, sources told the publication.

By Dan Alaimo • July 18, 2018

Kroger’s in-store app aims to simplify healthy food shopping

OptUP lets customers score their groceries based on healthiness, scan and search for product alternatives and connect to digital carts for curbside pickup or delivery.

By Robert Williams • July 17, 2018

48% of consumers say hurdles deter loyalty program sign-up

Retailers are continuing to refine their loyalty and rewards programs, but a new survey suggests they may still be making it too hard for customers to join and enjoy the benefits.

By Dan O'Shea • July 17, 2018

Microsoft and Walmart sign 5-year, full-suite cloud deal

Walmart will migrate hundreds of applications, including the Walmart and Sam's Club websites, to cloud native architectures on Azure and roll out Microsoft 365 to employees in phases.

By Alex Hickey • July 17, 2018

Gymboree tries for reboot as back-to-school season starts

This time last year found the children's retailer in Chapter 11, driven there by an unsustainable debt load and falling sales.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 16, 2018

Walmart wins patent for in-store audio monitoring

The company intends to use the technology to monitor employee performance, but the sensor system — which would analyze conversations between customers and employees — could raise privacy concerns.

By Dan O'Shea • July 16, 2018

Gymboree refreshes brand with AR-powered mobile app

The children's clothing retailer's "Made You Smile" app unlocks augmented reality animations that bring Gymboree graphic tees to life.

By Robert Williams • July 16, 2018