30 minutes with retail’s top executives

In this executive interview series, Retail Dive talks with industry thought leaders about everything from marketing strategy to in-store technology and the future of retail. 

By Retail Dive Staff • Updated April 21, 2022

Retail spending on AI to reach $7.3B by 2022

Personalization technologies top merchant's shopping lists and could send software spending up by 300%, according to a report by Juniper Research.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 1, 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

Amazon SmileCodes put a new face on QR codes

The retailer has created branded versions of QR codes that take shoppers to product information and value-added content, just as redemption is on the rise.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 1, 2018

Amazon sends a message with Alexa SMS feature

The feature needs to be enabled on the Android mobile app and works in conjunction with the free calling feature announced last year.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 1, 2018

76% of CIOs say IT complexity makes it impossible to manage performance

A single web or mobile transaction now crosses an average of 35 different technology systems or components, compared to 22 just five years ago, a Dynatrace study found.

By Dan Alaimo • Feb. 1, 2018

Cosabella conversions jump 30% with personalization tech

Personalization, automation and AI are driving sales and increasing average order sizes at the brand. 

By Dan Alaimo • Jan. 31, 2018

Walmart shares inventory data, tightens deadlines for suppliers

The big-box retailer is looking to improve inventory management by putting in place new requirements for supplier deliveries within specified time windows.  

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2018

Amazon Cash expands to Casey’s General Stores

The retailer partnered with Blackhawk Network to add the payment method to its 2,000 stores.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 30, 2018

Starbucks mobile ordering reaches 11% of US transactions

The coffee chain's loyalty program is to thank for much of that growth, but mobile ordering is slated to open up to non-loyalty customers in March. 

By Robert Williams • Jan. 30, 2018

Amazon reportedly expanding FBA Onsite trial

The retailer appears to be expanding a trial that installs its own logistics processes at the locations of merchant partners.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2018

Many in-store mobile users are open to receiving in-context ads

As smartphones become an increasingly critical part of the in-store experience, retailers should reach shoppers before they walk out the door, according to research from Facebook IQ.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 30, 2018

Apple woos retailers with new mobile features

Merchants, including Lowe's, have been testing the new functions, including the long-awaited Business Chat and expanded ARkit capabilities.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2018

Google gunning for Amazon’s smart speaker market

Amazon Echo is leading the home automation market with an estimated 69% market share, but Google Home showed substantial gains over the holidays.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 29, 2018

Cyberattacks on the cloud could cost retail $3.6B

Retailers are increasingly relying on cloud services, which could put them in line for big losses if their cloud provider is taken offline by a cyber incident.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 26, 2018

Target deploying Shipt deliveries to 57 stores

The companies are ready to roll out the program after just eight weeks and plan for it to be at nearly every store by the 2018 holiday season.  

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 26, 2018

Report: Teamsters tell UPS to lay off drone, driverless delivery vehicles

As UPS sits down with the Teamsters union to hammer out a new contract, tech innovations like drones and driverless trucks are a point of contention.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2018

Lamps Plus brings order tracking to text, call and voice

As virtual assistants become more frequently-used customer service tools, applications like instant order tracking should naturally become part of the conversation.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2018

Holiday mobile shopping revenue jumped 22%

Evidence is mounting that the 2017 holiday season, and particularly Black Friday, was a major tipping point for mobile shopping.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2018

Apple readies HomePod smart speaker launch after delay

The voice-activated device missed the key holiday gift-giving season, but will be available in stores on Feb. 9.

By Robert Williams • Jan. 24, 2018

3 retail tech startups to watch

Innovations involving messaging, augmented reality and AI took center stage at RILA's Retail CEO Forum this week, earning three young companies awards.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2018

Yeti, SMCP launch new digital experiences

Brands are upping their direct to consumer e-commerce programs with new personalized features.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 24, 2018

Target CEO named chairman of RILA

In his new role, Brian Cornell said he will focus on boosting diversity and innovation in the industry.

By Daphne Howland , Corinne Ruff • Jan. 24, 2018

Brooks steps into custom-fit shoe market

The retailer is targeting June for special order availability of its first custom-fit shoes, produced with help from HP and Superfeet.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2018

Alibaba, Microsoft score a 'B' in AI

Both tech companies said their AI systems managed to score over 82% in a Stanford reading and comprehension test, deemed a "human score."

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2018

Amazon’s Alexa mobile app finally finds its voice

The e-commerce retailer has added voice control to the Alexa mobile app, a sign that the virtual assistant may be ready to step up its smartphone presence.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 22, 2018