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AI is transforming the way we shop – not just moving commerce to mobile or social platforms, but by letting digital agents do the work. Consumers now use AI assistants to search, compare, review, and buy products. Imagine an assistant that restocks your pantry automatically based on your preferences. That future is already arriving. Nearly one in three consumers used generative AI for shopping in the past six months.
At Thursday’s Online Retailer Conference & Expo , Leteesha Serzycki, head of digital and e-commerce at Chemist Warehouse, shared a rare insight into the pharmacy retailer’s seismic e-commerce transformation, from homegrown infrastructure to a composable commerce powerhouse. The talk, moderated by Commercetools’ Sophie Stefanetti, also featured Shiri Mosenzon Erez, chief product officer of Commercetools and Hayley MacKay, retail account director of Google Cloud, revealed how Australia’s disco
Amidst growing consumer mistrust of sustainability certifications and green initiatives, Ikea stands out as a retailer making meaningful changes to its operating model and supply chain to achieve ‘real zero’ carbon emissions. Rather than relying on the well-worn ‘net zero’ rhetoric, which too often utilise carbon offsets, the global furniture giant is pursuing decarbonisation across every aspect of its business.
When you think about shopping, it’s important to recognize the different types of stores available. Grocery stores and supermarkets provide crucial food and household items, as you shop. Convenience stores offer quick access to necessities, often at a premium. Discount retailers focus on affordability, and specialty stores cater to unique interests.
Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy
AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.
As you step into a retail environment, the colors that surround you are not merely aesthetic choices; they are carefully selected tools that influence your behavior and decision-making. Research has shown that colors can evoke specific emotions and reactions, which retailers leverage to create an atmosphere conducive to shopping. For instance, warm colors like red and orange can stimulate excitement and urgency, prompting you to make quicker purchasing decisions.
Dalton Park Outlet, an outlet shopping destination in the North East, has bolstered its sustainability credentials, announcing three impactful initiatives that promote greener, low impact living. The outlet has partnered with Durham County Council as part of its Towns & Villages transformation programme to introduce a covered bike storage unit which includes a repair station and space for 10 bikes and 4 cargo cycles.
Against a background of global headwinds including increased costs and supply chain pressure, a 10 per cent US tariff on Australian goods, AI becoming retailers’ top strategy, and the rising popularity of online marketplaces, the Online Retailer conference kicked off in Sydney on Wednesday. The cream of Australia’s online retail industry attended the first day of the event, at the ICC in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, to discuss the future of e-commerce, with a packed line-up of presenters.
Against a background of global headwinds including increased costs and supply chain pressure, a 10 per cent US tariff on Australian goods, AI becoming retailers’ top strategy, and the rising popularity of online marketplaces, the Online Retailer conference kicked off in Sydney on Wednesday. The cream of Australia’s online retail industry attended the first day of the event, at the ICC in Sydney’s Darling Harbour, to discuss the future of e-commerce, with a packed line-up of presenters.
For most people, summertime means sunshine, beaches and barbecues. Retail marketers, however, already have the holiday season on their minds, and summer is a great time to begin holiday prep – including connecting with your legal and compliance colleagues to make sure your mobile marketing program is holiday-ready. Text message marketing is a significant revenue driver for retailers, earning more engagement from consumers daily.
Achieving proficiency in retail inventory control requires a strategic approach to manage stock levels effectively. You need to understand demand forecasting , which helps predict customer needs, and implement advanced storage systems to optimize space. Furthermore, automated replenishment can streamline restocking processes. By regularly auditing your inventory and using techniques like ABC analysis , you can improve order accuracy and reduce costs.
A well-designed product layout is not merely an aesthetic choice; it is a fundamental aspect of retail strategy that can significantly influence customer behavior and sales. When you walk into a store, the layout guides your journey, subtly directing your attention to specific products and areas. A thoughtfully arranged space can create an inviting atmosphere that encourages exploration and engagement.
Visionarea, a company specialising in People Counting and Retail Analytics Solutions, announces the launch of a new line of AI Sensors for stores, smart offices, and high-traffic public spaces. These new solutions address the increasing demand for efficiency and optimisation in monitoring visitors accessing commercial spaces. In a “phygital” world where the physical and digital realms are increasingly intertwined, making it essential for organisations to employ data-driven approaches to manage t
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.
This year has proven to be a high-pressure environment for ecommerce brands. Rising supplier costs, climbing digital ad spend and ongoing tariff instability are all putting pressure on profit margins. In this uncertain climate, it’s critical that brands maintain customer loyalty and sustain profitability with sharper strategy and greater agility than ever before.
Streamlining retail workflow and inventory management is essential for enhancing efficiency and profitability. By unifying inventory data on a single platform, you can track stock levels in real-time, reducing errors and saving time. Implementing automated stock alerts guarantees timely reordering, as well as diversifying suppliers helps mitigate risks.
Global strategy and design studio Dalziel & Pow has created a new store for retail giant Next at Eldon Square this week, Newcastle’s oldest, most iconic shopping centre. The Eldon Square store launch follows Next store openings in Stratford City, Canterbury and Ripon, also designed by Dalziel & Pow. The launch is part of a roll-out of the retail design concept in Next stores across the country this year, with additional store openings planned for 2026 and beyond.
Following National Insurance Awareness Day at the end of June and the high-profile Marks & Spencer cyberattack, Clear Insurance Management is urging retailers to take immediate action to protect against escalating digital threats. In the case of the recent M&S cyber incident , only £100 million of cyber insurance coverage was in place, which was far short of the £300 million in damages incurred, leaving the retail giant significantly underinsured.
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.
With heightened market volatility, global headwinds, and ever-evolving consumer needs, the ability to problem-solve is a key indicator of success among retail leaders. The second day of the Online Retailer expo saw a line-up of seasoned executives walk the audience through some of their careers’ toughest challenges and how they overcame them. Online-assisted shopping New Zealand’s The Warehouse Group found that over 70 per cent of its store sales were online-assisted, which was four times
The first purchase is cause for celebration, but it’s the second sale that really matters. That’s when a shopper starts to bring real opportunity for your brand to grow. It marks the moment when curiosity turns into commitment. For ecommerce brands navigating a competitive market, that second purchase is more than just another transaction — it’s the start of a relationship.
When selecting a point of sale (POS) system for your retail business, comprehending the key options available is essential. Various systems cater to different needs, whether you’re a small retailer on a budget or managing a larger operation. For instance, eHopper POS and SumUp offer free plans , whereas Square and PayPal Zettle provide cost-effective transaction fees.
Finding ways to deal with all the economic uncertainty in the first half of this year served a reminder that “retail success is not about predicting the future – it’s about being prepared for the future,” says Jamie Elden, Chief Revenue Officer at Listrak, which describes itself as a person-first marketing automation platform. In keeping with that thought, Elden’s firm has compiled the following three trends retailers should focus on in the second half of the year: Price continues to be paramoun
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
In a world increasingly shaped by digital innovation, the AR retail experience is emerging as a revolutionary force, blurring the boundaries between physical stores and digital engagement. From trying on clothes without stepping into a fitting room to visualizing how a new sofa fits into your living room before you buy, augmented reality (AR) is rewriting the rules of retail in real-time—and both consumers and brands are paying attention.
New Zealand native health brand Eve Wellness has broken through the crowded world of supplements and wellness with conviction. In just a few years, the brand focused on hormone balance has gone from a niche direct-to-consumer venture to a household name, recently securing a coveted partnership with Chemist Warehouse. It is a case study in how challenger brands, akin to Eve Wellness, can leverage data, design and digital culture to rewrite the rules of retail.
Like the holiday shopping season, which has been steadily creeping back toward October (or even earlier), the back-to-school (BTS) season is stretching, and in both directions — starting earlier and ending later. Part of the explanation for the longer season is that consumers are searching for value, on the alert for promotions and, increasingly, willing to buy secondhand, both to save money and, hopefully, save the planet.
When managing your retail store, choosing the right inventory software can greatly influence your efficiency and sales. Various programs, like Comcash and Lightspeed, offer unique features that cater to different business needs. For example, Comcash provides real-time tracking , whereas Lightspeed thrives in e-commerce integration. Comprehending these options will help streamline your operations.
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.
The Works has posted a 58% jump in adjusted EBITDA to £9.5m for the year to 4 May 2025, as its turnaround strategy delivers a sharp uplift in underlying profits. The value retailer, said profit before tax rose 20.3% to £8.3m while like-for-like sales increased 0.8%, outperforming the wider non-food retail market. Store sales – which account for over 90% of total revenue – climbed 2.3% on a like-for-like basis, offsetting a 12.1% drop in online sales, which were impacted by capacity constraints a
The temperatures might be hotting up, but the majority of e-commerce businesses will now be planning for the winter months, with Black Friday always a key revenue driver. In response, a new report has been published by Ecommpay, the inclusive global payments platform, providing vital insights into 2024 Black Friday trends to help merchants plan for this year.
A cybersecurity researcher has found a data exposure affecting over 3.5 million records by Australian fashion brand Sabo from 2015 to this year. According to a report by VPNMentor, researcher Jeremiah Fowler discovered that the database, which was unencrypted with no password protection, contained sensitive information, including names, physical and email addresses, phone numbers, invoices, shipping information, return details, and other potentially sensitive data.
Retail media is exploding. U.S. ad spend surpassed $50 billion in 2024 and continues to climb, yet the market’s spoils aren’t evenly distributed. Amazon and Walmart are raking in the lion’s share, commanding about 85% of all retail media ad spend. But that leaves a major opportunity for smaller and mid-sized retail media networks (RMNs) to stand out if they focus on what advertisers care about most.
When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.
Key Takeaways Diverse Opportunities: Shop business ideas can range from brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce platforms, catering to various markets and consumer needs. Market Research is Essential: Thoroughly understanding your target audience, competitors, and market gaps is crucial for validating your business concept and informing your strategies.
Currys said it has launched a “game-changing” AI video tool to speed up repairs, improve customer service and cut unnecessary callouts. The tech giant has partnered with Agentic Video Intelligence platform Vyntelligence to roll out the tool, marking a retail-first use of this kind of AI video technology. After speaking to the contact centre, customers receive a link prompting them to film a short video showing the issue with their tech product, along with a photo of the serial number
In today’s fast-evolving retail landscape, customer expectations have never been higher, especially regarding speed, convenience and seamless service. The modern shopper, increasingly accustomed to digital-first experiences, now demands the same frictionless journey in physical stores. This shift is driving traditional retailers to rethink every touchpoint, from entry to checkout, with a focus on instant gratification and streamlined technology.
After what has felt like a year of caution and maybe some contraction, the numbers are finally starting to look a little better for Australian retail. The numbers tell us foot traffic is back and sales are growing. On paper, we’ve turned a corner. Kepler Analytics’ financial year 25 report states that Australian retailers achieved 2 per cent year-on-year growth in both store traffic and sales, which is a fairly meaningful turnaround after what was a flat financial year 24 marked by declining rev
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.
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