Retail Wire
JUNE 11, 2025
Indiana is the latest flash point in Kroger ’s spreading labor unrest. Members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 700 — representing roughly 8,000 clerks, meat-cutters, and pharmacy techs across central Indiana — rejected a tentative four-year agreement by a lopsided 74% “no” vote. The “no” vote automatically activated strike authorization, giving leaders the legal power to call a walkout at any moment.
Retail TouchPoints
JUNE 11, 2025
AI has already raised consumer expectations across the board. People expect hyper-personalization, and they expect things to happen faster. What used to take a day should take an hour, and what took an hour should take a minute. When it comes to purchasing decisions, CPG brands and retailers still rely heavily on visuals, shelf presence and advertising to stand out.
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Inside Retail
JUNE 8, 2025
Peter Halkett will become the new CEO of Oroton Group later this month, succeeding Jenny Child. Halkett, who had been CEO of women’s clothing label Rebecca Vallance since January, will assume the role on June 16. He previously held leadership roles at Brandbank Group, Moochi and APG & Co. “Oroton is an iconic Australian brand with a proud heritage and significant opportunities ahead,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
Retail Focus
JUNE 10, 2025
As global supply chains become increasingly complex, the demand for transparency has never been greater. Retailers face mounting pressure from consumers, regulators, and stakeholders to demonstrate ethical sourcing, sustainable practices, and operational accountability. Traditional supply chain systems, built on fragmented and often manual processes, struggle to offer real-time visibility.
Speaker: Jason Cottrell and Gireesh Sahukar
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.
The Retail Doctor
JUNE 12, 2025
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Retail Wire
JUNE 11, 2025
Using Microsoft Azure’s OpenAI platform, Starbucks is adding a generative AI assistant to 35 stores this month. The technology’s intent is to help baristas improve efficiency and decrease service wait times. Named “Green Dot Assist,” the platform was introduced to North American store managers at Starbucks’ Leadership Experience earlier this week in Las Vegas.
Experience Retail Today brings together the best content for retail owners from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Inside Retail
JUNE 11, 2025
While David Jones’ chief executive Scott Fyfe has positioned the department store’s new loyalty program in partnership with Qantas as a key element in the group’s recovery strategy, retail experts aren’t convinced it’s that simple. “A loyalty program is not the panacea for every business’s long-term growth need,” Adam Posner, The Point of Loyalty founder, told Inside Retail.
Retail Focus
JUNE 11, 2025
EE is bringing the future face of retail to Nottingham with the launch of a new Experience store – the latest iteration of a cutting-edge retail experience concept created in partnership with global strategy and design studio, Dalziel & Pow. The Experience store is part of EE’s new strategy, which seeks to reinvent the role of retail in the telco industry by putting innovation, personal experience and community front-and-centre.
Retail Gazette
JUNE 9, 2025
Matalan is set to invest over £25m into its UK store estate this year as part of a multi-year transformation programme. The fashion and homeware retailer will upgrade 30 stores and open 10 new or relocated sites across key regions including London, Essex, Hampshire and Northern Ireland. The move follows a £25m funding boost from anchor investors last month.
Retail Wire
JUNE 10, 2025
Big Lots has opened upwards of 80 locations as the retailer moves forward under new leadership. According to a press release , the retailer reopened 78 of its previously shuttered locations on Thursday, June 5. This makes 219 reopened stores since coming under the ownership of Variety Wholesalers. The reopened stores are located across Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
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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
Retail TouchPoints
JUNE 10, 2025
Walmart has introduced Sparky, a smiley-faced generative AI-powered assistant capable of synthesizing reviews and offering mobile app users occasion-based recommendations. The retailer promises that it will soon enhance Sparky’s capabilities to include reordering, service bookings and the ability to understand text, image, audio and video inputs. The “Ask Sparky” button in the Walmart app can offer insights to prepare for virtually any occasion.
Inside Retail
JUNE 11, 2025
Alquemie Group has closed down National Geographic Stores in Australia, weeks after selling sister brands Ginger & Smart and Surfstitch to an undisclosed buyer. The National Geographic Stores launched in Australia in 2023 as a partnership between Alquemie and The Walt Disney Company. The stores sold outerwear and adventure clothing and were launched to compete with brands like Kathmandu and The North Face.
Retail Focus
JUNE 10, 2025
Asteri, the pioneering female-founded Saudi Arabian beauty brand named after Asteria, the Greek goddess of falling stars, has added two new stars to its constellation with the opening of new concept stores in Festival City Mall in Doha and Panorama Mall in Riyadh. The brand spaces, both designed by global strategy and design studio Dalziel & Pow , represent the region they are located in, celebrating local heritage and the beauty and diversity of Arab women.
The Retail Doctor
JUNE 9, 2025
Retail's dirty little secret? Most of our systems don’t talk to each other. For years, we’ve bolted on new tech in hopes it would create clarity. Instead, we ended up with disconnected software—each tool with its own data, interface, and logic. The warehouse couldn’t see labor needs. POS had no idea what was stuck in the receiving area. Scheduling was a guessing game.
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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.
Retail Wire
JUNE 6, 2025
ALDI is slashing prices on over 400 grocery essentials for a savings spree that will last throughout summer 2025. Per a company press release , the grocery chain will cut prices on nearly 25% of its selection across its 2,400 stores. These items include everything from fresh meat for grilling and organic produce to pantry staples and summer favorites.
Retail TouchPoints
JUNE 10, 2025
Traditional brick-and-mortar retail is always evolving, and in the competitive market, retailers are more motivated than ever to create compelling in-store experiences. Modern consumers don’t just visit storefronts to shop — they come to engage with products and, more importantly, to connect with brands on a personal level. Creating an effective in-store experience is about more than aesthetics.
Inside Retail
JUNE 8, 2025
The Athlete’s Foot has opened a new generation concept store on Church Street, Brighton. Marking the brand’s 145th store nationally, and its 34th in Victoria, the new two-storey location brings a fresh approach to in-store design and customer experience. At its core is the MyFit 3D fitting zone, offering personalised fitting solutions in a modern, private setting.
Retail Focus
JUNE 12, 2025
Interval, an independent running specialist and community hub in Edinburgh, brought Andy Matthews Studio – the London architecture practice responsible for Tracksmith’s flagship UK store – on board to design the brand’s home base on Easter Road. Interval by Andy Matthews Studio. Copyright Jim Stephenson 2024 Working collaboratively with Interval, the intention was to make the most of the modest budget with a functional, hard-working store emblematic of the brand’s values – community, honesty and
Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker
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.
Small Biz Trends
JUNE 9, 2025
Key Takeaways Identify Common Pain Points: Recognizing challenges like long wait times, poor communication, and lack of personalization is crucial to improving customer experience. Streamline Processes: Enhance efficiency by refining service delivery and establishing clear, consistent communication practices to reduce customer frustration. Prioritize Customer Relationships: Implement a systematic follow-up process and personalized interactions to foster loyalty and increase conversion rates.
Retail Wire
JUNE 11, 2025
Chipotle plans a rapid expansion of its restaurant footprint. With the help of AI, the Tex-Mex chain is opening a new location almost daily. Chipotle’s AI hiring platform, dubbed Ava Cado , is driving the growth spurt. According to CEO Scott Boatwright, the tech is reducing hiring time by 75%. “This not only helps us keep our restaurant staffed, but ensures we have the best talent that’s available in the industry,” Boatwright told Fortune.
Retail TouchPoints
JUNE 10, 2025
Lowe’s has introduced its first Creator Network , giving creators/influencers the opportunity to share project-driven stories that build affinity both for Lowe’s and their own brands. The home improvement retailer is working with popular creator MrBeast , which has established a MrBeast Storefront on the Lowe’s site, and Lowe’s also will be the exclusive building partner for season two of the popular Amazon Prime reality competition show, Beast Games.
Inside Retail
JUNE 9, 2025
In its second major collapse in less than a decade, Toys R Us Australia and New Zealand has once again handed itself over to administrators , marking the latest chapter in a cautionary tale of retail miscalculation. Once the go-to destination for generations of Australian children, the beloved toy brand has been suspended from the Australian Securities Exchange and is now searching for buyers under the stewardship of administrators from BDO.
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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.
Retail Focus
JUNE 9, 2025
As UK consumers navigate ongoing cost-of-living pressures, affordability and convenience remain decisive factors in where and how they shop. According to new research conducted by Ipsos, online marketplace Temu is rapidly gaining favour among British shoppers — not just as a source of budget-friendly goods, but also as a platform driving creative and entrepreneurial activity.
Small Biz Trends
JUNE 8, 2025
Key Takeaways Customer Feedback is Essential: Actively encouraging complaints helps identify opportunities for improving products and services, ultimately leading to increased customer satisfaction. Complaints as Improvement Tools: Viewing complaints as valuable insights allows businesses to identify areas for enhancement and fosters a proactive culture focused on customer experience.
Retail Wire
JUNE 6, 2025
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has issued a public health alert for ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli. These products were sold at Whole Foods stores. According to a Whole Foods statement , the recall date was June 3, 2025, for Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef, 85% Lean, 15% fat.
Retail TouchPoints
JUNE 10, 2025
Curacao is a big box-style retailer specializing in serving Hispanic consumers in California and the Southwest, but it’s more than that — mucho more. For example, the company offers credit to a population that’s often underserved by banks and other financial institutions, helping these customers build their credit history (sometimes from scratch). Additionally, because many Curacao customers want to send products to family or friends in their home countries, the retailer has streamlined this pro
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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.
Inside Retail
JUNE 8, 2025
Family-owned pet retailer PetO will cease the sale of live animals across all 58 of its stores nationwide, citing growing concerns over animal welfare and a lack of regulation in the industry. The decision comes as scrutiny increases over the ethics of live animal sales, particularly in a market dominated by large chains and global players. With two-thirds of Australian households now owning a pet, PetO says the industry’s current practices are failing to meet community expectations.
Retail Focus
JUNE 10, 2025
Leading British luxury designer, Lalage Beaumont London, announces the opening of its newest boutique at the UK Pavilion within Boundless Matro Boutique in Suzhou, China. The new boutique opening is the brand’s first retail partnership in China with Lalage Beaumont London stores located in Knightsbridge, Burlington Arcade and Belgravia along with stockists including the finest department stores and independent boutiques around the world.
Small Biz Trends
JUNE 11, 2025
A growing majority of small businesses believe adopting artificial intelligence (AI) is critical for remaining competitive, according to a new survey conducted by Reimagine Main Street in partnership with PayPal. The survey, which included nearly 1,000 small businesses with annual revenues between $25,000 and $5 million, found that 82% of respondents believe AI is essential for competing in today’s marketplace.
Retail Wire
JUNE 10, 2025
With inflation continuing to stretch household budgets, many shoppers are rethinking where they buy everyday items. Surprisingly, Dollar Tree is now drawing in a more affluent crowd than ever, as even higher-income consumers look for ways to cut costs. Retail Dive shared remarks from Dollar Tree CEO Mike Creedon, who told analysts in a conference call that the chain added 2.6 million new customers in the Q1 period.
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Late deliveries. Split shipments. Spiraling freight costs. For home, furniture, and DIY brands, fulfillment has never been more complex—or more critical. This report outlines how a smarter, AI-ready order management system (OMS) helps you reduce shipping costs, streamline project-based fulfillment, and ensure accurate inventory across every channel.
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