Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 22, 2020

Nike plans to open 30 stores in the second half of 2021 as the retailer positions itself for long-term growth. Leaders discussed their plans for the business, including growing its connections with shoppers and improving supply chain capabilities, on a Dec. 18 call with analysts. The retailer’s plan to better connect with consumers will include “scaling direct connections with contactable members,” according to Matt Friend, EVP and CFO at Nike.

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Hello Small Shop

DECEMBER 1, 2020

Businesses across the country are sitting in limbo as the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc on the economy. While some businesses remain closed, others are struggling with lost sales and slow traffic after reopening. As small businesses struggle to survive, many entrepreneurs are wondering if there’s any way forward — or if they’re doomed to join the thousands of small businesses that have permanently closed their doors.

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RETAIL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020

Managing a jewelry store or a fast-growing retail operation is already a daunting task when you don’t have a smart Jewelry business software system to tame the day to day operations; let alone coping with the changing dynamics of consumer trends and markets in the disruptive times. Despite the plummeting jewelry sales during the first period of confinement between March and April of 2020, the mood is on the up-swing again.

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Dezeen

OCTOBER 4, 2020

Design studio I IN has used warm, golden hues to decorate the Pinocchio bakery in Yokohama, Japan , which displays bread and pastries on minimalist shelves. Measuring at just 4.2 metres wide, Pinocchio sits in front of Oguchi train station and has been decorated to match the delicacies sold within. The tiny bakery project, which I IN also calls Small Icon, has been shortlisted for Dezeen Awards 2020 in the small retail interior category.

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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.

Checkout

IntelligenceNode

JULY 27, 2020

Anyone who’s been in the retail business knows how important capitalizing on the shopping wave during the back to school, or BTS season is. Depending upon which expert you ask, this potential boom in sales is the second or the third biggest during a calendar year. However, things are not quite the same this year […]. The post What Does the Back to School 2020 Retail Season Look Like?

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Store Growers

DECEMBER 2, 2020

Last Updated on December 2, 2020. Most advertisers don’t pay much attention to the product titles that show up on Google Shopping. And that’s a shame, because a good title can have a big impact. Well-optimized product titles make sure that your products show up for highly relevant search queries. In this article, I’ll show you what the best advertisers are doing when it comes to product titles, and I’ll show you exactly how to apply these findings to your product titles.

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Retail TouchPoints

JUNE 25, 2020

Even before COVID-19, the retail industry was already going through significant challenges, disruption and transformation. That has all been turned on its head. Get ready for the “new abnormal.”. Going forward there will be a fundamental shift in consumers’ reengagement and behavior towards physical environments, including the size and program of space.

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 27, 2020

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia has approved the J.Crew Group reorganization plan, paving the way for the parent company of J.Crew , J.Crew Factory and Madewell to emerge from Chapter 11 in early September. J.Crew was an early casualty in what has become a long list of retailers that have filed for bankruptcy in the wake of COVID-19.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 31, 2020

2020 has been an exceptional year for the retail sector, with all businesses having to rapidly adapt in some way or another. Such a time of upheaval has led to a permanent, irreversible change in consumer behavior as shoppers embrace the convenience and security of ecommerce more readily. There is much for retail organizations to do to make themselves resilient to the incoming challenges, but enhancing omnichannel capabilities and building powerful ecommerce experiences will be crucial.

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Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

Aetrex Worldwide has launched Albert 2, the next generation of the company’s 3D foot scanning technology. The omnichannel device is designed to be a fully integrated foot scanning system that can help shoppers find correctly fitting footwear and orthotics and provide an enhanced customer experience at retail. Customers step into the Albert 2, which can scan both feet in 20 seconds or less, to capture static and dynamic pressure as well as 3D measurements of the foot.

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Management

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 26, 2020

This year’s surge in ecommerce has put strains on both supply chains and websites, and retailers now are guessing what challenges they will face as fall and winter bring the threat of a COVID-19 resurgence as well as the usual holiday rush. With ecommerce traffic unlikely to wane anytime soon, retailers need to harden their operations to prepare for a potential holiday rush.

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Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020

Returns are a cost of doing business for any retailer. But despite representing $309 billion in lost sales for U.S. retailers last year, they haven’t always been a strategic focus. In the wake of COVID-19, returns are receiving serious (and necessary) attention for several key reasons: Retailers are spending more processing returns in stores. They are expected to keep merchandise out of circulation due to COVID infection concerns and to provide employees with personal protection to prevent infec

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 28, 2020

The convergence of a pandemic, economic turmoil and a heated presidential election can make it difficult to look beyond the here and now, but shoppers nevertheless expect retailers to have a long-term vision. Consumers are recognizing that major companies can play a large role in shaping tomorrow — both in terms of their influence on society at large and the post-COVID-19 shopper experience, according to the Visions Into The Future report by CallisonRTKL.

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 21, 2020

Anticipation of Halloween is growing among consumers, many of whom are viewing the celebration as a way to relieve stress and achieve a sense of normalcy after months of COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainties. That’s good news for retailers offering products in key categories such as decorations, costumes and candy, although merchants will need to adapt both their marketing and their assortments for a largely contact-free holiday.

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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

Shopping

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 19, 2020

Retail industry giants Target and Walmart continued to benefit from their status as essential retailers equipped with strong e-Commerce operational capabilities in Q2. In good news for their bottom lines, both retailers achieved significant sales growth, both online and in-store, while also improving margins. Target achieved a record-setting 24.3% increase in comp sales for the three months ended Aug. 1, 2020, rising from $18.2 billion last year to $22.7 billion this year.

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Retail TouchPoints

JULY 6, 2020

FedEx Office , the printing, packing and shipping services subsidiary of FedEx, is partnering with online design company Canva to create a digital design-to-print marketplace. The partnership aims to make it easier for retailers to create professionally printed materials to help them get back to business quickly and safely. More than 2,000 FedEx Office stores will now feature Canva’s image library and templates, which can be used to help retailers quickly design and print materials.

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Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 1, 2020

Walmart has announced that its long-rumored paid membership program, Walmart+, will be available on September 15. It will cost $12.95 per month or $98 annually and include a 15-day free trial period. At launch, members will have access to unlimited home deliveries for groceries and general merchandise — as quickly as the same day they are ordered. Other perks include fuel discounts at Walmart, Murphy USA and Murphy Express gas stations, and access to proprietary technology such as “Scan & Go

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Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 27, 2020

IKEA has partnered with Google Cloud to improve it technological capabilities, including the implementation of AI and machine learning tools, upgrading omnichannel capabilities and exploring new customer service offerings. The retailer already was using Google Cloud to help scale operations during the coronavirus pandemic and will continue looking into new possibilities.

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Advertiser: ZoomInfo

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

Promotions

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 14, 2020

It’s no surprise that the shopping habits of Gen Z during the pandemic will predict the near future for retail. Gen Zers are currently the largest and most influential generation of shoppers in the U.S., and COVID-19 has had a serious impact. We are already seeing that 46% say they plan on saving more of their earnings over the next five years, and 63% are currently concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on their ability to make money.

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Retail TouchPoints

JULY 6, 2020

In an industry as diverse and wide-ranging as retail, there’s no one way to create a stellar brand experience — but there are a few common factors. The 17 brands and retailers recognized by the first Brand Experience Awards (BEA), co-presented by Retail TouchPoints and RetailX , have different business models, customer types and challenges, but they share a commitment to never standing still.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 8, 2020

The AI-powered autonomous shopping experience just got bigger, in the form of a 4,000-square-foot hybrid convenience market called AI Go in Shanghai. The store combines a manned checkout with the use of computer vision as part of checkout-free shopping powered by AiFi Solutions. Stocking 2,000 SKUs ranging from fresh meats to snacks, this store represents the largest deployment to date of the AiFi Autonomous Store Platform OASIS.

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Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 7, 2020

Walgreens Boots Alliance and VillageMD will open the next 40 Village Medical at Walgreens full-service primary care clinics by the end of summer 2021. The first markets slated for expansion include Houston, El Paso and Austin, Texas; Phoenix; and Orlando, Fla. The expansion is part of the large-scale rollout that will open 500 to 700 Village Medical at Walgreens clinics in more than 30 U.S. markets in the next five years.

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Advertiser: FourKites

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.

Marketing

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 13, 2020

At its heart, a progressive web app (PWA) is a website that functions like a native app on a shoppers’ device. Although simple in concept, PWAs have the potential to massively improve a retailer’s operations, from shortening website load times to boosting natural Google search ranking, according to the Progressi v e Web Apps: The Best Kept Tech ‘Secret’ In Retail session at the 2020 Retail Innovation Conference.

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Customer Experience Marketing ATS 322

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 1, 2020

Bed Bath & Beyond achieved a 6% sales increase in Q2 2020, its first growth since Q4 2016, driven by an 89% jump in ecommerce sales. The online growth offset a 12% decline in same-store sales, bringing net sales to $2.7 billion. The retailer credited the improvements to its expansion of omnichannel offerings such as buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS) and curbside pickup during the pandemic.

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 6, 2020

DoorDash is taking dark store fulfillment in a new direction with an online delivery service that sells products from its owned and operated local distribution centers. The DashMart convenience stores carry approximately 2,000 products, a combination of basics and impulse items — such as snacks, groceries, over-the-counter medicines and pet food — along with “fan favorites” from local and national restaurant chains.

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Retail TouchPoints

JULY 21, 2020

As COVID-19 has accelerated the trend away from cash payments to mobile and other contactless methods, Starbucks and 7-Eleven have both expanded their mobile payment options. Starbucks Reward members using the company’s mobile app will be able to earn rewards, which Starbucks calls stars, when they pay with cash, credit and debit cards or mobile wallets.

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Speaker: Robyn O’Brien - Founder of Sirona Ventures, Adjunct Professor at Rice University’s Business School, Supply Chain Optimization and Logistics Expert

Today’s supply chain leaders are required to stay strong in the face of disruption and not only accept it, but embrace it – after all, progress is made outside of your comfort zone. While it’s easier said than done, conquering the fear of instability in your supply chain is within your reach. Thanks to the advancement of technology and AI, we now have more tools and resources at our disposal than ever before to conquer, not crumble, in the face of uncertainty.

ATS

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 27, 2020

There is no doubt that retailers have faced many struggles as a result of the pandemic. Brick-and-mortar stores were forced to shutter around the country, forcing retailers to amplify their ecommerce efforts, with varying levels of success. Many struggled to adapt, resulting in a record number of bankruptcies, and in some cases complete closures, including industry stalwarts like Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor and J.Crew.

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Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 4, 2020

Consumer preference for online shopping continues to rise, as more purchases are being made online than in stores with each passing year. In 2019 , the total market share of online U.S. retail sales surpassed general merchandise sales for the first time in history. And as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, this trend is only increasing. According to McKinsey , ecommerce sales in apparel, department stores and beauty products have increased by nearly 10%, on average, since the onset of the pan

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Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 29, 2020

In anticipation of customer demand for more and faster delivery options during the holidays, Bed Bath & Beyond has launched multiple options for same-day home delivery. Customers selecting home delivery on the Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY websites will have their orders fulfilled in stores by personal shoppers working with Shipt , a division of Target.

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 10, 2020

In June , DICK’S Sporting Goods launched its two new discount-focused store concepts — DICK’S Sporting Goods Warehouse and OVERTIME by DICK’S Sporting Goods — with the opening of five Warehouse and three OVERTIME locations. This month, the retailer will open five more Warehouse stores and one additional OVERTIME location. DICK’s also is expanding the footprint of its predominant DICK’S Sporting Goods brand with four new stores and one combination DICK’S and Golf Galaxy location

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