How chat and voice tech are changing retail

New chat channels are emerging as a real-time alternative to e-mail, along with other technologies, but a comprehensive view matters most.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

Amazon puts Alexa skills behind subscription paywall

The e-commerce giant is loosening its leash on developers, letting them charge users via a subscription model for additional skill content.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

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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

Facebook could relegate retailer posts to a separate feed

The social network is looking to calm fears over a test which, if implemented, would pull public page posts from the personal news feeds of its users.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 26, 2017

Sears revives the Wish Book holiday catalog

Given its struggles, who could blame Sears for taking a trip back in time with the revival — in print and online — of the holiday-themed book. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 26, 2017

Google’s Showcase Shopping ads aim to lure shoppers early on

The format is available to all brands for the first time, enabling them to group related products to boost discoverability when shoppers search with broad terms.

By David Kirkpatrick , Natalie Black (Koltun) • Oct. 25, 2017

Target unveils AR mobile feature for furniture shopping

The "See It In Your Space" capability works with the retailer's Project 62 furniture line, part of its renewed commitment to differentiated merchandising.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 25, 2017

Amazon unlocks in-home delivery with ‘Amazon Key’

Just ahead of the holidays, Prime members in 37 cities will be able to give remote access to their homes for services and package delivery if they buy the company's latest device.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 25, 2017

Target, Levi, Lululemon talk RFID

Three retailers that have embarked on RFID programs say the operational benefits are clear, but that challenges remain for broader implementation.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 25, 2017

Walmart reorganizes Home with a group president and new top exec for Hayneedle

Walmart is strengthening the home category with new leadership across all digital properties while one of those units, Hayneedle, gains an exec with a millennial-focused brand history.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

Online overtakes in-store holiday spend for the first time

It's a breakthrough, but the signs have been there for a while now, according to a study by Deloitte.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 24, 2017

Mastercard teams up with Saks to show the future of AR shopping

Two red-hot technologies — AR and eye-scanning for payment — were featured in a demonstration at fintech conference Money 20/20 this week.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

Amazon extends order-and-pay feature

More restaurants in the U.S. are set to allow customers to order and pay for take-out via the e-commerce giant's mobile app.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 24, 2017

Target unveils mobile pay in time for the holidays

This season the mass merchant is betting that its new private label lines will balance the margin hit from its consumer goods price cuts.

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 24, 2017

Alipay banks on North American partnerships for growth

A number of new partnerships, including with JP Morgan Chase, aim to boost the number of Chinese natives paying with Alipay while traveling abroad.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 23, 2017

Apple opens buzzworthy Chicago flagship

The store serves as a showplace for Apple's new devices and positions the location as a gathering place in addition to a shopping destination. 

By Daphne Howland • Oct. 23, 2017

Most online shoppers view fraud as inevitable

But that doesn't mean they're happy about it. Nearly 60% of customers are willing to accept whatever security measures it takes to prevent fraud, according to new research.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 22, 2017

The definitive guide to generational marketing

A good marketer can kick it old school with the boomers and float the perfect hashtag to Gen Z — but what if it's time to get social with the boomers and bring Gen Zers into stores? Here's everything you need to know about marketing by generation.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 20, 2017

Amazon holds 68% of smart speaker market share

Sales of the technology should hit 24 million by the end of 2017, but the online titan still controls the market, according to a Strategy Analytics study.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 20, 2017

Walmart, JD.com reportedly integrating customer loyalty in China

In a challenge to Alibaba, the companies will also develop a program for JD.com to fulfill orders by relying on inventory from Walmart.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2017

85% of shoppers are going mobile for the holidays

Holiday shoppers are most receptive to specialized deals and offers on mobile, according to a study by YouAppi.

By Cara Salpini • Oct. 19, 2017

Asos’ visual search drives ‘great engagement’

Visual search gains another convert, as the U.K. fashion retailer reports strong engagement with the capability just two months after launch, Digiday reports.

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 19, 2017

Conversational Commerce: How Matthew Shay views the state of the retail industry

Retail Dive sat down with the head of the NRF to talk about the evolution of the association and the industry when it comes to public policy, technology and changing consumer habits.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 19, 2017

No phone required: Amazon wants you to call with Alexa

The company wants to take hands-free to a whole new level. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Oct. 19, 2017

Walmart’s Store No. 8 showcases the future of VR

The event, a first of its kind for Walmart, drew an exclusive group of high-tech brands, technologists and venture capitalists to debut the latest in VR.

By Corinne Ruff • Oct. 19, 2017

Online retail sales to soar past $1 trillion by 2027

If you think this year's expected $445 billion in online retail sales sounds impressive, just wait another decade, according to a new report by FTI Consulting. 

By Dan O'Shea • Oct. 18, 2017