Santa's migrating his toy workshop to the cloud

At the North Pole, the elves were suffering and couldn't keep up with the high volume of orders. Because Santa failed to check the list twice, elves were fulfilling orders from Christmases long past, leading to inefficiency and wasted work.

By Naomi Eide • Dec. 21, 2017

Walmart reportedly testing Amazon Go-like store, personal shopping service

Incubated startups at the big-box retailer appear to be chasing younger, wealthier customers with shopping and delivery initiatives that depart from its traditional brick-and-mortar foundation.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2017

Explore the 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

Holiday shoppers shift to long-term financing

Consumers are applying for financing even before they put items in their carts, and many want at least a year to pay, according to new research.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2017

The retail winners and losers of 2017

Here are the companies, technologies and trends that soared or sank in 2017.  

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 20, 2017

12 news stories that shaped retail in 2017

From The Limited's bankruptcy to Terry Lundgren's Macy's retirement announcement, here's a look back at the biggest news events from the last 12 months.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 20, 2017

Lowe's builds out digital capabilities with first CDO

As Lowe's prepares for another year of "digital evolution," will its efforts in cybersecurity, augmented and virtual reality and mobile tech be enough to outpace Home Depot?

By Alex Hickey • Dec. 20, 2017

Levi’s debuts shoppable video for holiday gift inspiration

The brand merges an interactive digital experience with e-commerce to appeal to millennial and Gen Z consumers.

By David Kirkpatrick • Dec. 20, 2017

Only 8% of retailers have ‘mastered’ omnichannel

Almost all (90%) retailers are embracing omnichannel strategies, but very few feel they have the right plan or technologies in place.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 20, 2017

John Lewis Partnership elevates company veteran to CIO

In a year of shuffling retail CIOs and CTOs, the U.K. operator of John Lewis and Waitrose stores is promoting Andrew Murphy to guide tech strategy. ​

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 19, 2017

Refill required: CVS CIO steps down

Stephen Gold oversaw the creation of an innovation lab, a data analytics-driven clinical advice engine and various digital tools during his five years with the company.

By Alex Hickey • Dec. 18, 2017

Google shuts down Tango AR platform

The search giant now plans to instead focus on its mass-market ARCore platform, a more direct competitor to Apple's ARKit.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 18, 2017

How the GOP tax overhaul could affect retail

Congress is expected to pass tax legislation this week. Here's a cheat sheet for what it means for retailers, grocers and other businesses.

By Corinne Ruff • Dec. 18, 2017

Benebit aims to shake up fragmented loyalty environment

The startup plans to convert loyalty and rewards points across multiple retailers into a unified system of fiat currency using blockchain technology.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 18, 2017

Starbucks unveils first in-store AR experience at Shanghai Roastery

The coffee chain, which has long been a leader in mobile technology, is betting a collaboration with Chinese powerhouse Alibaba will brew customer engagement.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 17, 2017

What nobody wants for Christmas: An Amazon-Walmart price war

The world's biggest retailer is closing the gap with Amazon in online prices and the technologies that control them. Can anyone keep up?

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 15, 2017

Walgreens ups third-party API game with ‘Add to Cart’ capability

Five years into its API development efforts, Walgreens continues to push out new APIs to expand its brand reach through third parties.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 15, 2017

Overstock founder wants to 'walk away,' pursue blockchain opps

CEO Patrick Byrne hopes to walk away from the e-commerce business in favor of opportunities in cryptocurrency. 

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 15, 2017

Asics unveils mobile app for on-demand workouts

The brand also debuted its first U.S. flagship store, which features two distinct brands: one for athletes and the other for customers looking for street styles.

By Robert Williams • Dec. 15, 2017

75% of holiday tech shoppers bought online

Most of the research for consumer electronics purchases also took place online, too, according to a study by GfK.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 15, 2017

Online sellers could face $32B in returned goods this year

As e-commerce grows, so does the burden of reverse logistics.

By Jennifer McKevitt • Dec. 15, 2017

7-Eleven tests mobile ordering, delivery with new app

The convenience store chain now lets Dallas customers order and pay for products via their smartphone. What can retailers learn?

By Robert Williams • Dec. 14, 2017

Retail partners targeted by email phishing attacks

As retailers are migrating apps to the cloud, they could face more security threats, a study by Netskope finds — especially where they interface with third-party partners.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 14, 2017

Peapod rolls out text-to-order tool

The online grocer's new "Chat-to-Cart" feature also lets shoppers add items with emojis and share their list with family members. 

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 14, 2017

Boxed aims to ease online bulk ordering with AR, chatbot tech

The online wholesaler is the latest to tap mobile for tech that allows customers to see if products fit in their homes before ordering.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 13, 2017

How Best Buy is winning against all odds

The electronics retailer is opening a new chapter in how to compete by taking advantage of opportunities everywhere. Even, sometimes, at Amazon.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 13, 2017