Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023

Kroger and Albertsons will sell 413 stores across 17 states and the District of Columbia, along with eight distribution centers, two offices and five private label brands, to C&S Wholesale Grocers for approximately $1.9 billion during the same period in 2022. Excluding fuel sales, same-store sales grew 1.1% billion in cash.

Planning 240

Planning Grocer Wholesale Payment Services 240

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 15, 2023

Starbucks Workers United , the union trying to organize Starbucks workers across the country, is planning a “Red Cup Rebellion” on Nov. Labor efforts started slowly at REI: the August 2022 unionization of a Berkeley, Calif. store was only the second REI location to be organized.

Planning 279

Planning Department Stores Wholesale Location 279

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 20, 2023

When members of the restaurant’s loyalty program hover their palm over the reader, associates can pull up their MyPanera account information, greet the guest by name and provide a customized experience, including palm-based payment.

Payment Services 219

Payment Services Planning ATS Supermarket 219

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 3, 2023

The store growth builds on the 139 locations opened or remodeled in 2022 , which Aldi credited as contributing to the 9.4 million new customers the grocer attracted that year. As of April 2023, Aldi already has opened 35 new stores and welcomed 5.3 million new customers this year. in a statement.

Grocer 221

Grocer Planning Location Customer Experience 221

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 9, 2021

The retailer already has phased in the $15 per hour minimum wage across several markets and plans to hit this target nationally for both new and current associates by May 2022.

Planning 289

Planning Marketing Store Operations ATS 289

Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 20, 2022

Luxury home brand Brooklinen is planning to triple its brick-and-mortar retail presence, first with the addition of four stores in new markets in 2022 and plans to reach 25 to 30 locations by the end of 2024. At that time its stated goal was reaching the 30 -store mark by 2023. ”

Planning 255

Planning Shipping Customer Experience Location 255

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 10, 2022

As a result, customers can now get their orders in half the time and with 40% reduced cost of delivery for pickup parcels. Expansion plans include the first IKEA stores in Stockholm and Toronto, which were specially designed to operate in busy downtown locations. Ingka Group also is investing nearly €1.2 dubbed studios.

Planning 251

Planning Location Shipping Management 251

Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

Starbucks is preparing for the future with Starbucks Odyssey, a new experience that will be powered by Web3 technology, and the release of its Reinvention plan, a three-year financial roadmap that aims to deliver 7% to 9% comparable store sales growth and 10% to 12% revenue growth annually.

Planning 239

Planning Customer Experience Location Management 239

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 29, 2022

CEO Marvin Ellison, speaking during a recent conference call discussing the home improvement retailer’s Q3 financial results, revealed that Lowe’s is on track to change over its entire store base to this model by the end of 2023. The retailer’s legacy distribution model had stores operating as nodes in the fulfillment process.

Fulfillment 259

Fulfillment Markdowns Store Operations Customer Experience 259

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 27, 2024

has unveiled its Bold New Chapter strategy, signaling a major shift for the iconic department store retailer. Macy’s plans to close 150 underproductive nameplate stores — approximately 50 this year alone — and continue its expansion of smaller-format stores as it prioritizes investment in about 350 go-forward locations.

Location 259

Location Department Stores Fulfillment Planning 259

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 3, 2023

Nordstrom will shutter its six full-line department stores and seven Nordstrom Rack stores in Canada, along with its Canadian website , in a move that is expected to save the retailer $35 million in EBIT in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022. Nordstrom’s Canadian operations employ approximately 2,500 people. “We

Department Stores 277

Department Stores Customer Experience Planning Store Operations 277

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 3, 2021

More Dark Kitchens Over the next five years, QSR chain Wendy’s is planning to add 700 kitchens in converted shipping containers to support delivery. We’re forecasting 700% growth over the next two years for these second locations with dedicated inventory.”.

Payment Services 342

Payment Services Checkout Fulfillment Kiosk 342

Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 20, 2023

The top five episodes of 2023 reaffirm some of the most trending topics we covered on Retail TouchPoints over the past year, illustrating how rapidly the industry (and the customer experience) have evolved. Let’s begin the countdown… 5. Why it Matters: In 2023, we saw employee turnover reach record highs.

Advertising 236

Advertising Store Operations Merchant Services Wholesale 236

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 20, 2023

Dollar General will invest nearly $100 million to increase labor hours for its more than 170,000 store employees in 2023 to enable “consistent store standards while further enhancing the associate and customer experience,” said CEO Jeffrey Owen on the company’s fiscal year 2022 earnings call.

Customer Experience 259

Customer Experience Planning Marketing Consumer 259

Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 5, 2024

LEGO House, in the company’s headquarters city of Billund, Denmark, already carries the KultureCity Sensory Inclusive certification, and the company plans to expand it to stores in more countries later in 2024.

Promotions 262

Promotions Planning Store Operations Customer Experience 262

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 5, 2023

Current plans reportedly call for one Bloomie’s in Seattle and four Market by Macy’s in unannounced markets, according to CNBC. CEO Jeff Gennette told the media outlet that 2023 will be a pivotal test period for the off-mall strategy, and that the retailer will decide on its further expansion plans by the end of the year.

Department Stores 267

Department Stores Checkout Location Planning 267

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 18, 2024

Generative AI has only been publicly available as a friendly user interface since November 2022, and it’s already being embedded in retail operations such as customer service, marketing and even new shopping experiences,” said Michelle Grant, Director, Strategy and Insights for Retail at Salesforce in an interview with Retail TouchPoints.

Store Operations 292

Store Operations Shopping Marketing Management 292

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 12, 2024

For example, the “Gen Zalpha” brand focused on expanding its presence in grocery stores and mass merchants like Walmart in 2023 and forged a shop-in-shop partnership with Macy’s in late 2022. That same month, the retailer announced plans for The Collab , a platform for “Gen Zalpha” to share their stories and perspectives.

Merchant Services 252

Merchant Services Jewelry Accessories Fashion 252

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 30, 2021

In another first, customers access the checkout solution via the Sainsbury SmartShop app rather than the Amazon app, meaning they can use an interface they already are familiar with. Sainsbury’s, one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, had piloted a cashierless customer experience at this store using its own technology in 2019.

Checkout 264

Checkout Payment Services Supermarket Customer Experience 264

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 16, 2023

BJ’s Wholesale Club has entered a partnership with Simbe to roll out the solution provider’s automated business intelligence robot, Tally, to all 237 stores. The retailer plans to utilize the AI-powered solution to provide greater visibility into club conditions and drive deeper business insights.

Wholesale 267

Wholesale Location ATS Inventory Management 267

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 14, 2024

The Home Depot plans to open four new distribution centers designed specifically for the needs of its professional customers in the first half of 2024. Our distribution network is one piece of the comprehensive pro ecosystem we’re building to better meet the needs of this important customer.”

Fulfillment 233

Fulfillment Management Marketing Location 233

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 31, 2023

While the NRF has yet to release its total sales projections for the season, its early consumer research reveals that consumers plan to spend an average of $875 this holiday season, in line with the five-year average — and most of that money will be spent online. Create digital synergy.

Employee Engagement 267

Employee Engagement Store Operations Consumer Management 267

Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 10, 2023

federal workplace inspectors opened inspections at stores on 58th Avenue and Marion Oaks Manor in late August and September 2022. In Alabama, Florida and Georgia alone, OSHA has issued citations stemming from 23 Dollar General store inspections from Feb. 1, 2022 through Jan 31, 2023, with a total of nearly $7.5

Merchandise Store 215

Merchandise Store Location Accounting Customer Experience 215

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

billion in 2022, up from $93.9 This can also help retailers gauge the success of different promotions, helping them refine their marketing strategies and improve engagement with customers. Retail crime was a hot topic throughout 2023, and it’s easy to see why. billion in 2021 — and experts expect this year’s total to continue to rise.

Loss Prevention 242

Loss Prevention Jewelry Customer Experience Management 242

V Count

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Customer retention is a critical element in creating a successful business, and as a retail store runner, you need to ensure that customers can make transactions as easy as possible. Each customer’s shopping journey is unique and each store operates differently. Amazing inventory management system.

Merchant Services 92

Merchant Services Payment Services Inventory Management Planning 92

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 28, 2023

The Body Shop has gone beyond hair care, shower gels and hand soaps to include makeup in its product refill program, which prevented more than half a million plastic bottles from entering the environment in 2022 alone. The stations are now available in 800 stores worldwide and, after bringing the program to its U.S. footprint. “We

Shopping 233

Shopping Consumer Planning Marketing 233

V Count

SEPTEMBER 15, 2022

Customer retention is a critical element in creating a successful business, and as a retail store runner, you need to ensure that customers can make transactions as easy as possible. Each customer’s shopping journey is unique and each store operates differently. Amazing inventory management system.

Merchant Services 98

Merchant Services Payment Services Inventory Management Planning 98

Retail TouchPoints

APRIL 12, 2023

As a result of changing consumer behaviors and spending patterns, many retailers are focused on right-sizing their store footprints, especially in shopping malls. For their part, more mall operators are looking to diversify their tenant mix and incorporate additional brands that resonate with younger audiences.

Customer Experience 316

Customer Experience Shopping Consumer Fulfillment 316

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 9, 2023

Target has begun brewing up a chainwide rollout of one of its most requested services — allowing its Drive Up customers to add Starbucks items to BOPIS orders that are then delivered to their cars at no charge. The rollout to all 1,700+ Target stores with Starbucks Cafés and Drive Up service is projected to be complete by October 2023.

Payment Services 211

Payment Services Planning Store Operations Customer Experience 211

Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 7, 2023

Aēsop operates approximately 400 points of sale across the Americas, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia, with a recent advance into China, where the brand opened its first store in 2022. We will also be able to concentrate on continuing to improve The Body Shop’s business and refocusing Avon International’s footprint.”

Point of Sale 239

Point of Sale Shopping Planning Marketing 239

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 3, 2023

The retailer introduced its Diamond Prom loyalty program in December 2022 , offering both individual member rewards and the opportunity for schoolmates to pool their points and earn a photo booth for their special event. The pop-up shops, open through April 2023, are located in Glendale, Ariz., Chula Vista, Calif., Natick, Mass.,

Location 293

Location Shopping Planning Marketing 293

Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 12, 2022

Owning the Entire Customer Experience. As a result, it has been able to maintain its DTC model and ensure it can keep its competitive pricing and own the entire customer experience — from delivery to installation. That’s why the ethos behind our brand is making every day feel as relaxing as Sunday morning.”.

Shopping 249

Shopping Customer Experience Shipping Consumer 249

Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 12, 2023

The Container Store has been steadily enhancing its offerings as it has redefined its brand beyond containers and organizing solutions. The retailer debuted its “Organized Insider” loyalty program in April 2022 and introduced a resale program in May 2023.

Visual Merchandising 230

Visual Merchandising Location Shopping Planning 230

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

2, 2023, Gass will lead the Levi’s brand and the company’s global digital and commercial operations, at which time she also is expected to join the company’s board of directors. The move sets in motion a succession plan for Gass to succeed Bergh as CEO within the next 18 months. Beginning Jan. Michelle Gass. “We

Department Stores 233

Department Stores Planning Returns ATS 233

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 30, 2023

In today’s challenging business landscape, where profit margins are shrinking, supply chains are slow and uncertain, labor shortages are prevalent and inflation is a concern, it is crucial for retailers and brands to differentiate between understanding customer habits and fostering customer loyalty in order to succeed.

Checkout 221

Checkout Shipping Customer Experience Point of Sale 221

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 15, 2023

Party City filed for bankruptcy protection in January following a December 2022 warning from the New York Stock Exchange that the company was at risk of being delisted due to its low stock price. The retailer announced in February 2023 that it would close 22 underperforming stores as part of its bankruptcy reorganization.

Shopping 162

Shopping Planning Consumer Marketing 162

Retail TouchPoints

SEPTEMBER 2, 2022

1, 2022, and will work closely with interim CEO Howard Schultz before officially assuming the CEO role and joining the Starbucks Board of Directors on April 1, 2023. Starbucks has named Laxman Narasimhan as its next CEO. Narasimhan will relocate from London to the Seattle area to join the company on Oct.

Returns 253

Returns Consumer Customer Experience Planning 253