E-Commerce

E-Commerce

Today, instead of typing "best running shoes," consumers simply ask their favorite AI, "What running shoes should I buy?" These models respond quickly, often drawing on vast stores of user-generated content, reviews, and discussion threads-a dynamic "source stack" that looks very different from traditional SEO rankings. What's more, they can answer highly specific, long-tail questions, from "Which running shoes are best for flat feet in rainy climates?" to "What sneakers do marathoners recommend in 2024?"

Amazon Prime members, this one's for you. To celebrate the New Year, the retailer is treating its members to exclusive savings on travel essentials, with best-selling products starting at just $9. Right now, you can score up to 63 percent off on airport-ready matching sets, packable layers, comfy walking shoes, investment-worthy luggage, and more majorly marked-down travel essentials. Whether you're looking to refresh your travel wardrobe or invest in handy organizational accessories like packing cubes, there's plenty on this list to consider.

Microsoft is pitching this new tool to retailers as a way to reach a wider pool of potential customers and offer a seamless shopping experience that is more likely to convert sales. By integrating purchases directly into Copilot rather than redirecting consumers to an external site, the hope is that with one less step, customers will be more likely to click buy, rather than abandoning their cart.

Accenture is betting that the future of retail will run through AI with an investment in Profitmind, an agent-based platform that automates pricing decisions, inventory management, and planning. "Profitmind bridges the gap between insight and action through agentic AI," Accenture global retail lead Jill Standish said in a statement that announced Accenture's buy in. "It mirrors how retailers run their businesses, linking data from multiple sources for clear, prioritized recommendations that can be trusted and executed quickly in response to an increasingly competitive industry."

A group of Gen Zers 200 deep, snaked down Houston Street in hopes of shopping at a pop-up for Rogue, a Y2K-focused vintage retailer operated by the TikTok star. Inside, they browsed racks of vintage picks and vinyl records, but it was the charismatic, acid-green-haired Rogue, who was arguably the biggest draw. She posed for selfies with fans, as she does at all her stores, which are styled like deliberately dishevelled millennial bedrooms, complete with early-2000s ephemera like Britney Spears posters.

If checkout happens inside AI conversations, retailers risk losing direct customer relationships - while platforms like Microsoft gain leverage. Driving the news: Microsoft unveiled new agentic AI tools for retailers at the NRF 2026 retail conference, including Copilot Checkout, which lets shoppers complete purchases inside Copilot without being redirected to a retailer's website. The checkout feature is live in the U.S. with Shopify, PayPal, Stripe and Etsy integrations.

Last year, tariffs kicked in at their highest rate since the Great Depression, with the United States' effective tariff rate hitting above 17% in August. The beginning of the year started with chaos, as, seemingly every week, there was an announcement of some new tariff that would be levied against China or Mexico or Canada. Then came "Liberation Day," when President Donald Trump issued " reciprocal tariffs" on more than 180 countries and territories.

An example shared by Microsoft shows someone using Copilot to search for a small lamp for their bedside table. The chatbot responds with a recommendation, along with a "Details" button for more information and a "Buy" option. Hitting the "Buy" button pulls up a checkout screen where you can enter shipping and payment information and confirm your purchase without visiting the retailer's website.

Woot has an excellent deal on refurbished Sonos Arc SL soundbars, the 2020 model that's similar to the original Arc aside from not having any microphones. It debuted for $749, but you can get one with a one-year Sonos warranty for $319.99 while supplies last. If this discount doesn't sell out quickly (which it may), the promotion will end in two days. Definitely a nice deal considering Sonos itself offers the same model refurbished for $539.

January is a perfect time to reform eating habits or just to try out new things. This month, Target has a bevy of new products for some of the hottest food trends going right now. It's no secret that Target has been increasing its focus on grocery items as a core part of its business, and that has meant a growing number of partnerships and trendy brands showing up on shelves.

Valentine's Day may be a month away, but it's never too early to prepare for the ultimate romantic home-cooked dinner, complete with a gorgeous table setting. Before you spring for the Valentine's display at an expensive furniture store, we recommend heading to Aldi first. The beloved grocery chain is selling adorable 4-packs of heart-shaped plates for just $9.99 each, and they're a dupe for Pottery Barn dishes that cost $30 to $40 more.

I'm a lifelong skier whose family is full of professional skiers and ski gear designers, so naturally, I'm one of those people who can't wait for the lifts to open. I also test ski gear for a living, which means I've been tracking gear launches and price drops well before the actual ski season kicks off. Trust me when I say that Amazon's Winter Gear sale is pretty much the last chance you'll get to save on ski gear before the spring,

Adobe Analytics, which analyzed online transactions and website traffic for its shopping trends report, said traffic from generative AI chatbots toward retailer's sites, increased by 693.4% from the 2024 holiday season, indicating a shift in the way people shop. Before the holiday season began, FedEx reported 97% of U.S. retailers were planning to use AI for shopping, including incorporating tools for customer service and pricing.

According to a new survey by Salesforce, consumers spent a record-breaking $1.29 trillion globally, and $294 billion in the U.S., amid higher average selling prices, up 7% year-over-year, during the recent holiday season. Sales growth reached 7% globally and 4% in the U.S., indicating that consumer appetite remained strong from the start of the season through the end. Order volumes were also up, 3% globally and and 1% in the U.S.

We independently select these products-if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

You can use multi-channel products to manage your inventory for both online and in-store sales within a single, unified product listing. Google explained that "this approach simplifies how you manage your products and helps you reach more customers." With multi-channel products, you can oversee your online and in-store inventory together. Previously, you might have maintained separate listings for the same product if you sold it both online and in physical stores.

Our staff tests a lot of sheets, so we know just what materials to look for, and which retailers are churning out the good stuff. The best striped sheets should be crisp but also comfy, machine washable, durable, and breathable. Below are all the striped bed sheets we can't resist: white stripes, blue stripes, ticking stripes, thick stripes-you get the picture. And if you've found your sheets and are in the market for a duvet cover, we have a guide on that too.

Looking for a way to finally add the Microsoft Office suite to your computer? It can be pretty pricey usually, but it's also quite necessary depending on what type of work you do. We've got a solution: Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License, found at StackSocial. Check out StackSocial to nab your own copy of Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License at for $34.97 (down from $219.99). You save about $185.02, which is a whopping 84% off.

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A panel on agentic AI focused on AI agents in the real world is just one of the event's many Monday offerings. Chandhu Nair, SVP of data, artificial intelligence, and innovation at Lowe's, will give the audience a home improvement retailer's perspective on the topic. On Tuesday, technology's big show will have a session with Best Buy CEO Corie Barry, who will talk about getting people, software, and services to actually work together instead of fighting against each other.

Whether you've got a weekend staycation on the books or are planning a cross-continental adventure, consider Amazon's New Year sale your one-stop shop for travel gear and accessories. Ahead, we've rounded up the 70 best, most impressive discounts across the site, with deals up to 88 percent off and prices starting at just $8. Hurry, though-these markdowns won't last much longer.

Grab them before they're gone. We may receive a portion of sales if you purchase a product through a link in this article. Sometimes, a product can hit that sweet spot of being useful yet so delightful and cheap that people can't stop hitting "Add To Cart." However, if you're interested in something on this list, you should snap it up. That's because these baller must-haves are selling out fast. Smart shoppers: take note.

And the real beauty lies in the customization: pick between two to four bedrooms depending on the desired use. Then, choose the layouts, finishes, and interior features that reflect your style. Go for a cozy personal haven with plush rugs and a snug reading nook, or take advantage of the large windows framing scenic views to craft a vacation (or staycation) escape.

There's no better way to ring in the New Year than by plotting your next getaway-and thanks to the extraordinary luggage sale happening right now at Amazon, it's never been easier to find a fabulous bag to upgrade your travel style. After all: New year, new luggage, new you. To kick off 2026, Amazon has packed its sale section with can't-miss savings for travelers, marking down top-rated carry-ons, weekender bags, and more as much as 70 percent off.