Swych Giftbot handles person-to-person e-gifting requests for chat users

Beta testing is open on both the Apple iOS and Google Android platforms for users of Facebook Messenger, Skype and Apple’s Siri.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 14, 2017

Crate and Barrel adopts MicroStrategy software to boost analytics game

The MicroStrategy 10 platform offers in-store staffers real-time access to data mining, business intelligence reports created on-demand and other capabilities.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 13, 2017

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

6 steps retailers can take to defend against cyberattacks

Retailers continue to struggle with DNS health, social engineering and network security, yet analysts say owning these basics is critical. 

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 13, 2017

5 numbers to know about retail cybersecurity

Retail faces more cyberattacks than any other industry — and the costs of a data breach can be devastating.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 13, 2017

ComScore: Holiday spending topped $80B, driven by mobile commerce growth

Shopping via smartphones and tablets reached $17.1 billion over the last two months of 2016, corresponding to about 21% of total holiday digital spending, up from 17% in 2015.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 13, 2017

3 trends shaping retail cybersecurity in 2017

Nearly one in three retailers have already suffered revenue losses as a result of a cyberattack — and the worst is still to come. But understanding digital threats can help neutralize them.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 13, 2017

Rise of the learning machines: How AI is becoming the newest weapon in the fraud fight

While artificial intelligence is synonymous with customer interaction tools like chatbots and Amazon’s Alexa, it also can wage battle against payment and transaction fraud — both in stores and online.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 13, 2017

How cybersecurity vulnerabilities can destroy retailers' reputations

Merchants keep falling prey to cybercrime, but retail executives keep diverting attention and funding elsewhere. The problem is it could cost them customers — in some cases, forever.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 13, 2017

What retailers need to know about cybersecurity

Annual global costs tied to destruction of data, intellectual property theft, lost productivity and fraud are on pace to reach $6 trillion by 2021. Here's how retailers can avoid becoming a statistic.

By Jason Ankeny • Feb. 13, 2017

Bipedaled Cassie the latest robot to enter package delivery race

Agility Robotics' two-legged robot could be positioned as a home delivery vehicle for retail and other industries.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 12, 2017

Target recruiting startups for new wellness accelerator

Despite shaking up its tech operations and innovation initiatives, the retailer is sticking with incubator TechStars for a series of startup accelerators.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 10, 2017

Shopify won't shut down Breitbart News storefront, citing free speech rights

The e-commerce platform's co-founder said it would continue to host the Breitbart store in support of the organization's right to free speech, even though Shopfify doesn’t align politically or ideologically with the controversial media site.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 9, 2017

Gartner: Drone delivery market to remain tiny through 2020

Logistical issues still need work and companies need more proof of return on investment before they make more of a commitment, according to a new market forecast.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 9, 2017

Techstars Q&A: How startups can accelerate retail innovation

The retail industry faces transformation. Ryan Broshar, head of the Techstars startup accelerator with Target, thinks startups could be the answer.

By Corinne Ruff • Feb. 9, 2017

Facebook giving up on Oculus VR demos at 200 Best Buy stores

Stores no longer offering virtual reality demonstrations will continue to sell the Oculus Rift headset and accompanying touch controllers, the electronics retailer said.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 8, 2017

Square rolls out retailer-focused POS platform, toolbox

Square for Retail features a point-of-sale app with a search-based interface for faster checkout, as well as a smart customer directory, real-time inventory management tools and other features.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 8, 2017

Amazon Payments users hit 33M, transactions nearly double

Customers in more than 170 countries used the payment processing platform in 2016, with transaction volume peaking on Cyber Monday.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

FedEx targets SMB sellers — and Amazon — with inventory storage and fulfillment service

Businesses using the new FedEx Fulfillment e-commerce platform will be able to store their products at the shipper's warehouses.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

Saving the sale: New ideas for averting cart abandonment

Retailers lose trillions of dollars each year to the scourge of abandoned online shopping carts. But new weapons are helping merchants turn lost sales into wins.  

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 7, 2017

Google, H&M's Ivyrevel team on app to design data-driven dresses

The Android app leverages Google’s Awareness API and Snapshot API to discover and collect lifestyle insight to come up with apparel inspired by the consumer's activities and habits.

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 6, 2017

Report: Amazon developing two-story grocery store staffed by robots

The prototype store's top level would install robots to pick out goods to bring to shoppers, while the lower floor would offer produce and other items that consumers tend to prefer to choose themselves.

By Daphne Howland • Feb. 6, 2017

Propulse debuts AI-based shopper recommendation platform

The startup's Purchase Path Neural Network platform analyzes thousands of product image variables to determine what the shopper is looking for.  

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 2, 2017

Google ends pilot of Hands Free payment app

Hands Free relies on WiFi, Bluetooth and location services to help connect users to participating retailers, letting them complete purchases just by saying the phrase "I'll pay with Google."

By Dan O'Shea • Feb. 2, 2017

NRF: Mobile initiatives top of mind for retailers in 2017

More than half of retailers say mobile initiatives are among their top three priorities in 2017, following a year in which mobile sales accounted for about 30% of online sales and 47% of online traffic.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2017

Newegg online showcase sells products from Indiegogo-funded entrepreneurs

The retailer is planning to launch a page on its e-commerce site dedicated to showcasing products financed via crowdfunding campaigns.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 31, 2017