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As strenuous schedules, rising living costs and the trend of ‘poly-employment’ become entrenched realities, more retail workers are reporting stress, disengagement and emotional fatigue at the end of their shifts, and the industry is feeling the aftermath. A recent report by workforce management platform Deputy found that the emotional wellbeing of Australia’s shift workers is showing signs of strain, according to new data tracking post-shift sentiment.
Cart abandonment is often blamed on user behavior such as distractions, hesitation, or second thoughts. But my experience working with high-load ecommerce enterprises shows that’s only half the story. It’s not always customers who abandon carts. Sometimes the system abandons them. Technical gaps, such as a misfiring promotion or a vanished cart, can quietly turn a ready-to-buy customer into a lost one.
There’s never been a more exciting time in the world of payments. Innovation is happening at breakneck speed, open banking is tearing down data silos and partnerships are forming between traditional financial institutions and fintechs on a global scale. Whether you’re a global retail chain, ecommerce brand, or online marketplace, changes in the payment landscape will have a profound impact on your business.
Europe’s leading sofa retailer, Poltronesofà, is close to completing a £57 million transformation of 96 UK stores as the company offers UK customers an unmatched choice of ranges and fabrics and an enhanced in-store experience. The Poltronesofà group operates over 310 stores across Europe and is the market leader in both Italy and France, with a market presence in Belgium, Switzerland, Malta and Cyprus.
The rapid rise of AI-powered displays, touchless technology, and sensory marketing is reshaping the future of in-store engagement. Yet for many retail executives, the real challenge is not identifying new tools - it is knowing which signals to trust, which inputs to prioritize, and how to architect decisions that elevate in-store leadership rather than dilute it.
If you've spent any time in Enterprise retail, you’ve seen it: departments that don’t talk to each other, systems that weren’t designed to share data, and a patchwork of bolt-on software that leaves you with more questions than answers.
Sainsbury’s has reported its strongest start to the year with grocery sales up 5% in the 16 weeks to 21 June 2025, driving its highest market share since 2016. The supermarket’ s growth is fuelled by “consistently great value, outstanding quality and excellent availability,” according to CEO Simon Roberts, who highlighted the retailer’s expanded Aldi Price Match campaign which covers around 800 everyday essentials.
Businesses misrepresenting themselves as Australian fashion retailers are defrauding Australian consumers, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns. The ACCC describes the scammers as so-called ‘ghost stores’, where operators falsely represent themselves as local Australian businesses that sell high-quality clothing and footwear and are imminently closing down.
Businesses misrepresenting themselves as Australian fashion retailers are defrauding Australian consumers, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warns. The ACCC describes the scammers as so-called ‘ghost stores’, where operators falsely represent themselves as local Australian businesses that sell high-quality clothing and footwear and are imminently closing down.
After weeks of anticipation (and complaints from locals), the year’s most-talked-about wedding — between Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos and TV presenter Lauren Sanchez — took place last weekend in Venice, Italy. But across the Atlantic, another set of nuptials also was making waves, for very different reasons. The wedding party, all decked out in JCPenney fashions.
Retail has always depended on observation. From spotting which shelf draws more attention to knowing which item sells best during certain times, the trade has long relied on pattern recognition. The difference now lies in how precise those patterns can be. As the amount of data available grows by the hour, retailers face the choice: either use it wisely or risk being left behind.
Key Takeaways Ecommerce Growth: Global retail ecommerce sales reached approximately $6 trillion in 2023, with projections to hit $8 trillion by 2026, highlighting significant market opportunities for small businesses. Mobile Commerce Importance: Over 50% of online transactions are made via mobile devices, emphasizing the need for responsive website design and mobile-friendly shopping experiences to enhance customer satisfaction and conversion rates.
Frasers Group has replaced its existing £1.65bn financing facilities with a new £3bn term loan and revolving credit facility, giving the retail giant greater financial firepower for its growth ambitions. The deal, agreed with its banks, has a three-year term with options to extend by up to two years, and includes an accordion option to increase borrowing by a further £500m at the lenders’ discretion.
Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.
Mosaic Group will go into liquidation after entering voluntary administration last October. Creditors voted to liquidate the company in a meeting on July 1 after the administrators failed to receive a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) or find another proposal for the group. Mosaic has appointed its existing administrators, Vaughan Strawbridge and David McGrath, along with Kathryn Evans, Kate Warwick of FTI Consulting, as liquidators.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at a rapid pace, from healthcare to finance and logistics. As sectors embrace automation, personalisation, and data-driven decision-making, it’s clear that AI is more than just a tech trend—it’s a business imperative. Retail, which thrives on customer insight and operational efficiency, stands to gain immensely by observing how other industries apply AI strategically to improve both internal processes and external experiences.
Key Takeaways Access to a Vast Marketplace: Starting an Amazon business gives entrepreneurs the opportunity to reach millions of potential customers globally without needing a physical storefront. Leveraging Amazon’s Infrastructure: By utilizing Amazon’s logistics and customer service, businesses can streamline operations and focus more on product development and marketing.
Food price inflation surged to 3.7% in June, the sharpest rise in more than a year, as British retailers warned of the combined impact of climate pressures and rising operational costs. Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ show food costs jumped from 2.8% in May, helping to push overall shop price inflation back into positive territory for the first time since July 2024.
AI agents already analyze trends, draft content, and trigger actions across leading commerce platforms. Yet most organizations still rely on workflows built for human‑only teams, losing speed, margin, and customer loyalty. Humans + Agents: Rethinking Enterprise Commerce in the Age of AI Collaboration shows how to close that gap. In one concise read you’ll see where agent gains surface first, how early adopters prove ROI, and which lean controls keep innovation moving without risking data or bran
Consumer watchdog NSW Fair Trading has warned consumers about a rise in counterfeit Labubu toys, dubbed “Lafufu”, flooding online marketplaces. The watchdog is urging consumers to remain cautious when shopping for Labubu toys online, particularly from overseas platforms advertising unusually low prices. Buyers are advised to stick to trusted, verified retailers and to thoroughly review seller ratings and website credibility before making purchases.
AI already has affected shopping habits for large numbers of consumers, and its ability to make hyper-personalized product recommendations — and also to find the best prices and deals — will continue to accelerate the technology’s use. According to Salesforce , during the 2025 holiday season AI will drive $260 billion in global online sales as well as $1.6 trillion in in-store sales.
St James Quarter has announced that Nespresso, the global coffee brand, is set to open its only Edinburgh boutique at the leading destination, introducing its latest experiential retail concept. The 1,173 sq ft Nespresso will join Level 3’s line-up of aspirational brands, further bolstering the Quarter’s premium offer. The St James Quarter Nespresso will deliver a fresh experience and be a continuation of the brand’s new boutique concept, designed to foster meaningful connections and elevated co
Key Takeaways Awareness of Social Media Issues: Recognize that social media can lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, and body image issues, impacting both individuals and businesses. Data Security Concerns: Protect your brand and customer trust by implementing strong data security practices and ensuring transparency regarding personal information usage on social media platforms.
Category Management is a cornerstone of a successful retail strategy. While it promotes collaboration between manufacturers and retailers to optimize category performance, challenges persist in its effective implementation due to hurdles in communication and collaboration across teams and partners, and more. In this guide, we outline five essential strategies for success in 2025 that will touch on all the essential pieces of a successful strategy and implementation.
M&S and Asda, alongside major food producers have criticised Labour’s new proposal forcing supermarkets to reduce calories in customers’ baskets or face fines. The plan, part of Labour’s forthcoming 10-year health strategy, aims to cut up to 100 calories from average shopping baskets. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said it would “make the healthy choice the easy choice” But industry leaders say the policy is rushed, adds costly red tape, and risks failing to tackle obesity.
Australian retail sales surged 3.3 per cent year-over-year in May, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, reaching $37.3 billion. Cosmetics, sports and recreational goods saw the largest increase, up 4.78 per cent, followed by cafes, restaurants and takeaways, which rose 3.83 per cent year-on-year. According to the ABS , department store spending increased by 3.7 per cent, while spending on clothing, footwear, and accessories rose by 3.5 per cent.
Gelson’s Markets has partnered with Upshop as part of an initiative to better use data, AI and operational insights to make operations more efficient and customer-centric at its 26 Southern California supermarkets. The retailer will focus first on eliminating food waste and optimizing fresh food production, particularly in its increasingly popular foodservice area, as it seeks to minimize shrink, enhance quality and streamline back-of-house production.
The e-commerce sector has been one of the fastest-evolving digital spaces of the past two decades. While traditional online retail, fashion and electronics have dominated much of the conversation, a quiet but powerful force has emerged: online casinos. With increasing digitisation, payment innovation and behavioural data use, online gambling platforms are reshaping not just how people spend but how platforms operate, market and scale.
Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.
Key Takeaways Definition of Social Commerce: Social commerce integrates social media platforms with e-commerce, allowing users to discover and purchase products seamlessly, enhancing the online shopping experience. Importance of User Engagement: High levels of customer interaction through user-generated content, influencer partnerships, and engaging storytelling are crucial for building brand loyalty and driving sales.
Autumn Fair , the UK’s leading marketplace for home, gift, and fashion, has revealed its most ambitious and retailer-focused content programme to date. Practical, focused, and easy to consume, it’s been thoughtfully designed to fit around buyers and deliver maximum value in minimal time. Taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 7–10 September 2025, this year’s show recognises the pressures facing independent retailers, from rising costs and evolving customer behaviours to the demands of digital t
Long-serving CEO of Haigh’s Chocolates, Alister Haigh, will retire this August after more than 30 years at the helm of one of Australia’s oldest family-owned chocolate companies. Peter Millard, the current chief operating officer, has been appointed to the role, marking the first non-family member to hold the position in the company’s 110-year history.
For four decades, 99 Ranch Market has been a beloved fixture in Asian-American communities, known for its curated selection of imported pantry staples. But its reach rarely extended beyond metropolitan hubs in California, Seattle, Texas and New York City. As demand for Asian groceries grew across the United States, 99 Ranch saw an opportunity to serve a broader customer base through digital innovation.
AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.
Railpen, manager of the £34bn railways pension scheme in the UK, has completed the first phase of the complete transformation of its 295,000 sq ft (NIA) Multistory office in Birmingham. Railpen has combined two existing buildings to create a significant new best-in-class office in the centre of the UK’s second city. The first phase of Multistory comprises 27,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space on the ground and lower floors, with CBRE and Creative Retail appointed as leasing agents.
Google Gemini has launched a new feature that promises to reshape how businesses access and leverage artificial intelligence. With an increasing number of small businesses looking for efficient solutions, this tool is set to streamline workflows and improve decision-making processes. Gemini leverages generative AI to deliver precise data insights and predictive analytics, giving small business owners a competitive edge.
WHSmith has completed the sale of its high street business to private equity firm Modella Capital — but at a reduced price after weaker trading conditions led to a last-minute renegotiation. The retailer will now receive up to £40m from the deal, down from the £52m originally agreed when the sale was first announced in March. WHSmith confirmed it has received £10m upfront, with a further £20m in deferred consideration tied to the future cash flow of the business through to August 2026.
The first group of retailers confirmed for ECQ Outlet, the third stage of its Eastern Creek Quarter (ECQ) precinct in Greater Western Sydney, has been revealed by Frasers Property Australia. The new outlet centre , scheduled to open next year, will be home to the largest Asics store in Australia. Other confirmed brands include Adidas, Fila, Puma, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Tarocash, Connor, Rockwear and Strand.
When it comes to driving traffic and growing your online presence, businesses often ask: SEO or PPC—what’s the better choice? This guide breaks down the key differences between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases. Whether you’re looking for long-term organic growth or immediate visibility through paid ads, we’ll help you determine which strategy—or combination of both—is right for your business.
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