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Effective stock and inventory management is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency and meeting customer demand. By prioritizing your inventory using methods like ABC analysis , you can focus on high-value items. Moreover, keeping accurate product information and conducting regular audits helps align stock levels with sales. Analyzing supplier performance guarantees you’re working with reliable partners.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Key Takeaways Start Early: Launch holiday marketing campaigns ahead of the peak season to increase brand visibility and attract customers before the rush. Leverage Social Media: Consistently post engaging content, use targeted ads, and interact with customers through polls and contests to maintain interest. Create Unique Promotions: Develop limited-time offers and loyalty programs tailored for special occasions to encourage urgency and repeat business.
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
Primark has unveiled its first seated mannequin designed to represent a manual wheelchair user, as part of its commitment to inclusion and better representation on the high street. The mannequin, which is named “Sophie” was inspired by and co-created with British television presenter and wheelchair user Sophie Morgan. The mannequin will be launched in 22 of Primark’s flagship stores, including Oxford Street and Birmingham, and will be featured in displays showcasing the brand’s adaptive range a
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.
Australians spent $19.2 billion in online purchases last quarter, a result of anticipated rate cuts and easing inflation, according to a report by Australia Post. End of financial year (EOFY) sales drove a 15 per cent surge in online spending, as compared to the same period last year, with 7.9 million households choosing to shop online. Online marketplaces saw Australians spending $4.2 billion, while department stores saw a 28 per cent increase in online sales.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Home & Gift 2025 concluded this Wednesday on a resounding note of success, having united thousands of buyers, brands, and creatives across four vibrant and inspiration-filled days, reaffirming its position as the UK’s essential summer showcase for the retail industry. Celebrating its 65th edition, this landmark show combined record-breaking attendance, standout creativity, and unmistakable feel-good energy across the Harrogate Convention Centre and the grounds of the DoubleTree by Hilton Har
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
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.
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.
Marketplaces drove over 40% of total ecommerce growth in 2024, officially surpassing direct-to-consumer (DTC), wholesale and other channels for the first time, according to research from Cymbio. At the same time, DTC saw its share of ecommerce growth decline for the first time in years, indicating that following its COVID surge, DTC may be hitting a ceiling.
Designing an effective retail shop floor plan is vital for enhancing customer experience and boosting sales. You need to take into account factors like customer flow, product placement , and the overall shopping environment. For instance, creating a decompression zone at the entrance helps customers adjust before they navigate the store. Furthermore, strategically positioning high-demand products can encourage exploration and increase visibility.
The Creative Retail Awards has announced the 2025 shortlist, showcasing innovation and excellence across the global retail industry. This year’s ceremony will introduce a dramatic new setting, taking place at London’s newly opened Emerald Theatre on 25 September 2025. With over 20 categories spanning visual merchandising, store design, digital integration and sustainable design, the Awards continue to highlight the strength of the retail design sector.
In today’s fast-paced retail environment, the ability to make informed decisions based on data is more crucial than ever. As a retailer, you are constantly faced with choices that can significantly impact your business’s success. Data-driven decision-making allows you to leverage insights derived from various data sources to guide your strategies and operations.
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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