Sat.Apr 20, 2024 - Fri.Apr 26, 2024

article thumbnail

What China’s latest retail sales reveal about changing consumer spending

Inside Retail

Reporting by the business media of retail sales and other economic data produced by governments in developing Asia is often too trusting. The official numbers are usually reported unquestioningly, yet they can be deeply flawed for a number of reasons. Occasionally it is worth reminding ourselves that they need to be taken with a pinch of salt, sometimes a handful of it.

Consumer 147
article thumbnail

Why my Retail Finance Team Loves AI

Retail TouchPoints

For me, the great thing about working in finance is getting to make decisions that touch all aspects of the organization. Finance really places you at the center of everything, where decisions you make play a pivotal role in sustaining long-term business success. That is, at least, the theory. The reality is that, for teams that rely heavily on manual workflows, financial management can be not just burdensome but downright soul-sucking.

Finance 247
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Spotify Faces Disruptions After Layoffs

Retail Wire

During Spotify's recent earnings call, CEO Daniel Ek acknowledged that the company's decision to lay off employees last December had a more substantial impact on operations than initially anticipated.

246
246
article thumbnail

The Backroom: With more closures ahead, what’s next for Macy’s?

Retail Dive

Under a new CEO, the iconic department store is fielding a $6.6 billion takeover offer, shuttering another 150 stores and fighting to stay relevant.

article thumbnail

Turn Payments Into Personalization: Unlock the Value of Transaction Data

Speaker: Loreal Lynch, Everett Zufelt, and Michaela Weber

Once upon a time, in the vast realm of online commerce, there lived a humble checkout button overlooked by many. Yet, within its humble click lay the power to transform a mere visitor into a loyal customer. 🧐 💡 Getting checkout right can mark the difference between a successful sale and an abandoned cart, yet many businesses fail to make payments a part of their commerce strategy even when it has a direct impact on revenue.

article thumbnail

Top Global Artificial Intelligence Markets

LS Retail

©iStock/Adrian Vidal This report, " Top Global Artificial Intelligence Markets ," presents a brief overview of top Al global hubs outside the United States. Each country includes an Al ecosystem overview, government incentives and policies, education and research institutions, leading events, and industry groups. The initial markets for this report were selected based on global rankings, the highest number of Al companies concentrated there, venture capital, and related research institutions.

article thumbnail

Asic orders Urban Rampage stores to end Centrepay credit arrangements

Inside Retail

Clothing and homewares retailer Urban Rampage has been ordered by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (Asic) to stop offering Centrepay credit arrangements at its stores. Operated by Coral Coast Distributors, Urban Rampage has stores at 10 locations in regional and remote locations across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

More Trending

article thumbnail

2024 VM and Display Show: A Fusion of Creativity, Sustainability, and Retail Innovation

Retail Focus

The 2024 Visual Merchandising and Display Show, hosted on April 16-17 at the Business Design Centre in London, provided a comprehensive look at the future of engaging retail spaces through innovative design and display. The exhibition showcased an incredible range of products and technologies designed to redefine the potential of physical retail spaces.

article thumbnail

How Bark is Creating Products and Experiences that Pups (and Pup Parents) Love

Retail TouchPoints

Americans spent $136.8 billion on their pets in 2022, up from $123.6 billion in 2021, according to the American Pet Products Association. Half of these pet-owning households are run by millennials and Gen Zers, who don’t just look at their pets as “furry friends” but as their children. Bark is one company that is laser-focused on engaging these pet lovers — specifically, pup parents.

Wholesale 247
article thumbnail

Super Retail Group expects to face up to $50 million in legal proceedings

Inside Retail

Super Retail Group has warned shareholders that it expects two employees to jointly claim $30 million to $50 million in losses and damages in court proceedings lodged against the company. Harmers Workplace Lawyers will represent the two employees, whose complaints will include the non-disclosure of an intimate relationship between MD and CEO Anthony Heraghty and the former chief human resources officer Jane Kelly (who is not one of the claimants).

article thumbnail

FTC Refunds Ring Customers $5.6 Million for Video Privacy Issues

Retail Wire

The FTC is giving back $5.6 million to consumers due to a settlement with Ring, an Amazon-owned company. The issue arose when Ring failed to protect customers' private video footage from unauthorized access.

Consumer 265
article thumbnail

Get MACH Ready: Preparing Your Business for Digital Transformation

Adopting MACH technology means more than implementing new platforms. This type of digital change affects your organization at every level and requires a thoughtful approach to navigate challenges that crop up. The Get MACH Ready report, co-authored by MACH Alliance member Scott Canney in collaboration with Orium, commercetools, and Contentstack, will provide you with strategies to prepare your organization for a digital transformation.

article thumbnail

Bluewater becomes home to the largest Oliver Bonas store in Kent

Retail Focus

Bluewater has announced that lifestyle brand, Oliver Bonas, will be opening at the Kent-based shopping and leisure destination on Saturday 20 th April. The 3,272sq ft store will be brand’s largest in Kent and will be located on the Lower Guildhall opposite John Lewis. What’s more, the new Bluewater store will have the widest selection of products available in the region.

article thumbnail

Foot Locker Debuts ‘Store of the Future’ in New Jersey

Retail TouchPoints

Foot Locker has unveiled its new store format, which includes a communal sneaker try-on area to facilitate “sneaker culture” conversations and technology that provides store associates with omnichannel inventory availability data. The retailer plans to use learnings from this store, located in the Willowbrook Mall in Wayne, N.J., for additional reinvented stores it will open in 2024 , including at the brand’s NYC flagship and locations in Paris, Melbourne and Delhi.

article thumbnail

The four trends defining online retail in 2024

Inside Retail

Thanks to rapid innovations in supply chain management, AI technology and digital marketing, e-commerce is increasingly playing an integral role in the lives of everyday Aussies. With this momentum continuing into this year, it’s the perfect time for retailers to reexamine their strategies and restructure with growth and scale in mind. Four key trends stand out as high-growth opportunities for online retailers.

article thumbnail

Ford’s Total EV Sales Post $1.3 Billion Loss in Q1

Retail Wire

Ford's EV division, known as Model e, faced a tough start to 2024.

359
359
article thumbnail

Brick & Mortar Retail Relevance: How to Stay Ahead of the Curve

Speaker: Jay Black, Senior Account Executive

Let's set the record straight: in-store retail isn't dead - it's evolving! Faced with the digital age and the demands of omnichannel shopping, some retailers are thriving while others are struggling to adapt. Join Jay Black in this exclusive session as he explores the strategies that set successful stores apart, including: Crafting unique and unforgettable in-store experiences 🛍️ Mastering the art of retail demands 🛒 Navigating inventory challenges in today's climate 📦 an

article thumbnail

KIKO Milano Opens its Doors at Braehead

Retail Focus

Braehead, one of the UK’s most popular retail and leisure destinations, owned by property company SGS and asset managed by Global Mutual in conjunction with Savills as property managers, is pleased to welcome beauty brand, KIKO Milano, to the centre as the store opens its doors to customers. KIKO Milano, the Italian cosmetics brand, has opened a c.1,000 sq ft store stocking its range of beauty products including makeup, face and body treatments.

article thumbnail

Ikea Creates Training Ecosystem to Support AI Literacy for 3,500 Employees

Retail TouchPoints

Ingka Group , parent company of Ikea Retail , has set ambitious targets for boosting the AI literacy of its organization, including AI training for approximately 3,000 employees and 500 executives. The initiative will include a variety of courses, tailored to the needs of employees at various levels and in different phases of their AI journeys, with the overall goal of embedding a deep understanding of AI within the organization and ensuring that Ikea values are reflected in the ways the technol

article thumbnail

Coles taken to task over ‘discount’ promotions consumers don’t understand

Inside Retail

Coles has the most confusing promotional labels, consumer advocacy group Choice said as it calls for supermarkets to make their tags clear and easy to understand for shoppers. Choice found in a survey that Coles’ ‘Down Down’ and ‘While Stocks Last’ labels confused shoppers as to whether the item was marked down or not. Meanwhile, shoppers are also confused on Woolworths’ ‘Prices Dropped’ label, unsure if the product was already discounted.

article thumbnail

Walgreens Broadens Specialty Pharmacy Services for Cell and Gene Therapies

Retail Wire

Walgreens revealed its plans to collaborate directly with drug manufacturers to provide cell and gene therapies to patients in the U.S.

Planning 263
article thumbnail

How to Stay Competitive in the Evolving State of Martech

Marketing technology is essential for B2B marketers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing digital landscape — and with 53% of marketers experiencing legacy technology issues and limitations, they’re researching innovations to expand and refine their technology stacks. To help practitioners keep up with the rapidly evolving martech landscape, this special report will discuss: How practitioners are integrating technologies and systems to encourage information-sharing between departments and pr

article thumbnail

Major brands invest in Derbion with new concept stores

Retail Focus

JD, New Look and Ann Summers are set to open new concept stores at Derbion, the Midlands retail and leisure destination, following a combined investment of over £5 million. The investment forms part of Derbion’s continuing growth strategy to reposition and support existing retailers alongside new lettings. By actively managing the centre, Derbion has unlocked space to ensure brands benefit from the optimum footprint and location to drive footfall and sales.

Location 147
article thumbnail

Walmart+ Members will Get First Dibs on New Products During 24-Hour Event

Retail TouchPoints

From 12 noon ET on Monday, April 29 through noon on April 30, the Walmart+ Early Access online sales event will offer program members a curated assortment of products new to Walmart — including Dolly Parton’s Rockin’ New Baking Collection, Doritos Flamin’ Hot Mystery Flavor, Pampers diapers and men’s and women’s shoes from Reebok. “Walmart+ members have shown significant engagement with our digital offerings, particularly in the grocery sector, so we’re excited to offer them a shopping event lik

article thumbnail

Nick Scali to acquire Fabb Furniture to enter UK

Inside Retail

Furniture retailer Nick Scali is entering the UK market through acquiring Anglia Home Furnishings, trading as Fabb Furniture, for £3.5 million ($6.7 million). Nick Scali intends to pay $1 million to exercise the option to exit the existing distribution centre arrangement and inject up to $11.5 million of working capital. After the acquisition, Nick Scali said it plans to invest in the existing Fabb Furniture network, which will include store refurbishments and rebranding, setting up a new distri

article thumbnail

Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh Offer Unlimited Deliveries for $10 a Month

Retail Wire

Amazon has unveiled a new program that allows customers of both Whole Foods and Amazon Fresh to receive unlimited grocery delivery for just $10 per month.

246
246
article thumbnail

How Retailers Are Transforming Customer Experiences with Data & AI

Speaker: David Azoulay, Marc Stracuzza, Román Tejada, and Guest Speaker Sucharita Kodali

Imagine a retail landscape where every interaction is personalized, every decision informed, and every opportunity maximized 🤔✨ Join us for an exploratory journey into the heart of AI-driven retail innovation. We’ll unveil the transformative potential of AI and data analytics in shaping the future of omnichannel personalization and e-commerce.

article thumbnail

Co-op first to announce move to 100% British strawberries

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Co-op is the first UK retailer to announce it is moving to 100% British Strawberries across its entire own brand range – hitting shelves two weeks ahead of last year and just in time for St George’s Day. From 23rd April, the leading convenience retailer will exclusively offer only British fresh strawberries across its offering […] If you want

144
144
article thumbnail

Simon Adds VIP Suite to Kick Off Woodbury Common Expansion

Retail TouchPoints

Mall operator Simon revealed big plans to expand its Woodbury Common Premium Outlet center in Fall 2023, including the addition of 155,000 square feet of retail stores and restaurants, a 200 -key luxury hotel, a second parking facility and upgraded amenities. To cement the center’s image as a luxury destination, the first enhancement will be a VIP Suite featuring multiple private spaces with their own dressing rooms, an upscale lounge area and a private kitchen.

article thumbnail

Myer sacks head office staff, outsourcing tech roles to India

Inside Retail

Department store Myer has laid off head office staff across its e-commerce and operations teams as it offshores functions to India. A Myer employee who requested anonymity told Inside Retail that Myer’s GM of e-commerce Lynna Barnard and chief customer officer Geoff Ikin oversaw the decision to implement the redundancies, which due to their suddenness left employees shocked.

article thumbnail

Delta Air Lines Increases Pay as Unionization Attempts Continue

Retail Wire

Delta Air Lines is upping the pay for its nonunion workers, including flight attendants and ground staff, as it faces another unionization attempt.

246
246
article thumbnail

Forrester Report: Demystifying The Technical Functions of POS Solutions

Understanding the intricate world of Point-of-Sale (POS) technology is a common challenge for tech buyers. When it comes to defining the functions of Point-of-Sale systems, the communications have yet to be standardized–—until now. Forrester’s new report, Demystifying The Technical Functions of POS Solutions, breaks through the noise and provides business leaders with the information and tools they need to evaluate the features of POS systems.

article thumbnail

WHSmith rolls out Toys R Us concessions to more stores

Retail Gazette

WHSmith is to expand its Toys R Us shop-in-shops to 30 more stores by the end of its financial year in August. The rollout follows the opening of nine Toys R Us concessions last year, which WHSmith said had performed well, according to Retail Week. The exact locations of the new shop-in-shops has not yet been disclosed. The first Toys R Us concession opened in June last year at WHSmith’s Monks Cross Retail Park store in York and marked the toy retailer’s return to the high street after a five ye

Returns 121
article thumbnail

JLL Rolls Out Virtual ‘Shopping Bestie’ in 13 Centers

Retail TouchPoints

JLL Retail Property Management has introduced a new virtual shopper agent named Cindy , designed to make the online experience more relevant and engaging at 13 of its shopping centers across the U.S. In addition to spotlighting the center’s sales and deals, Cindy gives consumers details on the latest fashion trends, acting as their exclusive “shopping bestie.

Shopping 235
article thumbnail

Coffee chain Single O expanding Japanese footprint after early success

Inside Retail

Sydney-based coffee roaster Single O will open Ryogoku Roastworks, its second cafe in Japan on Friday, replacing the brand’s existing roastery. In a further sign of ongoing expansion in Japan, Single O will launch its Shibuya coffee bar in July. The new roastery and cafe will serve Single O’s signature coffee Reservoir and will feature self-serve batch brew taps, and a breakfast and lunch menu.

Wholesale 277
article thumbnail

Pink Sues Pharrell Williams Over ‘P.Inc’ Trademark

Retail Wire

Pink has filed a lawsuit against Pharrell Williams to prevent his plans to trademark the term "P.Inc.

Planning 261
article thumbnail

Exploring the Advantages and Hurdles of Direct Store Deliveries

Direct Store Delivery, or DSD, is a common practice among global suppliers and retailers – like PepsiCo, Frito Lay, CVS, and Dollar General – and its popularity is growing, with the global DSD market expected to reach $1.19 trillion by 2027. Download this eBook for exclusive insights into direct store deliveries, challenges, benefits, and future trends.