Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 11, 2024

H&M Group , Vargas Holding and TPG Rise Climate have launched Syre , with the goal of providing recycled polyester yarn that’s equivalent in quality to virgin yarn but has less impact on the planet. The retailer has an offtake agreement with Syre worth $600 million over seven years that will cover a significant share of H&M Group’s long-term need for recycled polyester (rPET), which is currently primarily sourced from bottle-to-textile upcycling.

Planning 251

Planning ATS 251

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 11, 2024

The associates at a Patagonia store in Reno, Nev. have voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711 , marking the first successful unionization effort at a Patagonia store. Along with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the UFCW has been making inroads at other outdoor retailers recently, organizing nine REI locations across the U.S. with the RWDSU and five Vertical Endeavors climbing gyms in Minnesota.

Outdoor 299

Outdoor Department Stores Wholesale Location 299

Retail TouchPoints

MARCH 11, 2024

DoorDash has launched a Made by Women platform designed to champion female chefs and restaurateurs and provide access to marketing, educational and financial resources. To inaugurate the program, the Made by Women Grant program , in partnership with the digital networking platform for women, Monday Girl , will provide 15 grants of $10,000 to Canadian women-owned restaurants.

Marketing 147

Marketing Management ATS Consumer 147

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

In a sign of its enormous role in both the U.S. and world economies, Amazon will join the exclusive “club” of 30 companies that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), replacing Walgreens Boots Alliance. Additionally, Uber has been added to the Dow Jones Transportation Average, driving out JetBlue Airways. Both changes will be effective prior to the opening of trading on Feb. 26, 2024.

Consumer 276

Consumer 276

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Real estate investment firm Arkhouse Management has put forward a slate of nine nominees in an attempt to take control of the Macy’s, Inc. board, after the retailer rejected a takeover bid from Arkhouse earlier this year. The slate of nominees includes former executives from retailers including Hudson’s Bay Co. , Target , Victoria’s Secret and Vitamin Shoppe.

Finance 264

Finance Management Planning ATS 264

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Beginning March 23 online and in most of its stores, Target will offer a Diane von Furstenberg collection consisting of more than 200 items, most priced under $50. The collection, available while supplies last, encompasses women’s, girls and baby apparel and accessories along with beauty and home décor items starting at a $4 price point. Target debuted a value-priced private label brand earlier this month.

Accessories 275

Accessories Apparel Shipping Shopping 275

Retail TouchPoints

FEBRUARY 21, 2024

Online shopping is now easier than ever before, enabling consumers to purchase everything from socks to a dining room table from a computer at their home to a mobile phone in an airport terminal. While this is good news for many ecommerce retailers, it has also become more and more expensive to deliver those goods to customers. With rising fuel prices, supply chain and logistics challenges, and higher labor and production costs, retailers are struggling with how to efficiently deliver a high vol

Shipping 280

Shipping Drop-Shipping Returns Comparison Shopping 280

Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 23, 2024

Walmart will reportedly shut down its Store No. 8 innovation unit, according to the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets, as the retailer seeks to cut costs and find new ways to develop and test new ideas. The division, which was formed in 2017 following Walmart’s acquisition of Jet.com , has been the incubator for initiatives including shopping via text message and a recently released software development kit (SDK) to make it easier to integrate Walmart commerce into games and apps.

Shopping 279

Shopping Customer Experience ATS 279

Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 14, 2024

FedEx is known for the logistics scale and expertise it has developed over a half century in business. Just a few statistics tell the story: the company delivers 15 million packages every day in 220 countries and territories. What might be less well-known is FedEx’s scale and breadth of data: the company generates one petabyte of information daily — the equivalent of 20 million tall filing cabinets’ worth of information.

Checkout 299

Checkout Customer Experience Shipping Consumer 299

Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 14, 2024

Microsoft has launched a new Retail Cloud Alliance (RCA) aimed at educating and empowering retailers to leverage cloud technology effectively. This collaborative program features Microsoft experts and resources alongside those from a number of partners, including Adobe , Amperity , Sunrise Technologies and Icertis. The alliance also includes an Advisory Council made up of retail subject matter experts hailing from Forrester Research , Texas A&M University , ThinkUncommon , Insider Trends and

Customer Experience 301

Customer Experience ATS Marketing 301

Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 5, 2024

Supply chains have always been critically important. When retailers invest correctly, logistics presents the opportunity for not only hard cost savings but long-term value creation as organizations find innovative ways to deliver products into the hands of consumers. Logistics operations have been the backbone of our global economy for centuries. And while mainstream audiences have only recently started to grasp the vital role they play in our daily lives, we have actually made more improvements

Fulfillment 277

Fulfillment Customer Experience Consumer Shopping 277

Retail TouchPoints

JANUARY 5, 2024

Personalization is at something of a crossroads. The New Year saw a key step in the coming deprecation of third-party cookies, which have been one of marketers’ most powerful tools for tracking online activity for many years. A small group ( 1% ) of Google Chrome users are now eligible for Tracking Protection , which restricts the use of these cookies by default.

Consumer 306

Consumer Marketing Planning ATS 306

Retail TouchPoints

DECEMBER 18, 2023

Once upon a time, finding the perfect product online was like wandering the aisles of a library without a card catalog. But the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the quest for the perfect online purchase and unleashed a remarkable evolution in ecommerce. From its first rudimentary keyword-based tools to today’s ability to decipher intent and deliver personalized results, the evolution of AI in ecommerce has been nothing short of revolutionary.

Jewelry 264

Jewelry Accounting Customer Experience Consumer 264

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Ebay and COMC , which stands for Check Out My Collectibles, have entered a commercial agreement that includes an investment by Ebay in the trading card hobby marketplace. COMC employs nearly 300 people and has 200,000 square feet of distribution space to support its deep catalog and fulfillment capabilities. Recently Ebay has been sharpening its focus on enthusiasts , and in July 2023 the retailer opened its trading card vault to external submissions of high-end items that had not been purchased

Fulfillment 162

Fulfillment Customer Experience ATS Marketing 162

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

David Jones , the Australian premium department store, has digitized its merchandising and buying process as part of its broader Vision 2025+ strategy. The retailer, which is known for curating the most exclusive global and local brands, will use NuORDER Assortments by Lightspeed Commerce to empower buyers to digitally preview collections, develop assortment plans and complete orders in collaboration with brand partners, replacing manual, spreadsheet-based processes.

Department Stores 279

Department Stores Accessories Planning Shopping 279

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Several of the nation’s largest retailers, including Target , Macy’s , Gap and BJ’s Wholesale Club , struggled during Q3, with all reporting net sales declines and all but one showing a fall-off in comparable store sales. Net sales for both Macy’s and Gap dropped 7% compared to the same period last year; Target did comparatively better, with a net sales drop of 4.3% , as did BJ’s, with a net sales decline of 2.8% and a slight comp sales increase of 0.3%.

Apparel 264

Apparel Department Stores Wholesale Consumer 264

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Publix has promoted its current President, Kevin Murphy, to CEO, while SVP John Goff will take on the President role. Current CEO Todd Jones has been named Executive Chairman, and all these changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. All three executives are long-time Publix veterans: Murphy began in 1984 as a front service clerk in Margate, Fla., working his way up through various positions.

Promotions 264

Promotions Shopping Store Operations 264

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Amazon has confirmed it is laying off “several hundred” jobs in its Alexa division, the latest move in the company’s strategic reprioritization and significant cost-cutting that began in early 2023. According to a memo written by Daniel Rausch, Amazon’s VP of Alexa and Fire TV and obtained by GeekWire , the layoffs are part of an effort to better align with customer needs and priorities, “which includes maximizing our resources and efforts focused on generative AI.

Marketing 263

Marketing ATS 263

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Like many other DTC brands, True Classic made its first big impression online — in its case with a series of humorous, fast-paced, mildly homoerotic commercials. Also like many other DTC brands, its next step was into the brick-and-mortar world. But rather than going solo right away, True Classic partnered with retail services company Leap to operate five stores in Los Angeles, Chicago, Washington, D.C. and San Jose, Calif., beginning in 2022.

Apparel 239

Apparel Marketing Returns Advertising 239

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Balenciaga is venturing into wearable tech with a new merchandise series that gives consumers exclusive access to media. The luxury fashion house is partnering with EON , a company specializing in Digital ID technology, to embed a custom-produced song by Archive, a London-based trip-hop group, into items from the collection. The Balenciaga Music I Archive merch series includes T-shirts and hoodies and is available in Balenciaga stores and on Balenciaga.com, starting today.

Fashion 264

Fashion Management Consumer Apparel 264

Retail TouchPoints

NOVEMBER 20, 2023

Retail theft is on the rise, and many businesses are grappling with the financial fallout. In recent months, The Home Depot, Foot Locker, Target and other retail giants have suggested that shoplifting is cutting significantly into their respective profits. Dick’s Sporting Goods also attributed part of the brand’s 23% profit drop in the second fiscal quarter of 2023 to theft ( CNBC ).

Payment Services 312

Payment Services Sporting Goods Inventory Management Loss Prevention 312

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 30, 2023

As we navigate the complexities of global commerce, the need for efficient and transparent international transaction methods becomes increasingly apparent. One such payment option that has demonstrated its effectiveness in streamlining these transactions is Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). DCC is an optional service offered at the point of sale, allowing customers to view the cost of their purchases in their home currency.

Merchant Services 294

Merchant Services Payment Services Point of Sale Consumer 294

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 30, 2023

There’s a chill in the air but resale remains hot, with major brands — including Crocs , Beyond Yoga , Tommy Hilfiger Men’s and Maje jumping into the circularity movement. The influx of new secondhand offerings arrives just in time for a holiday season when consumers are largely expected to be more price-conscious than ever as they face continued economic pressures.

Apparel 271

Apparel Accessories Shipping Fashion 271

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 30, 2023

FreshDirect has selected six NYC-area brands for its initial Rising Industry Producers and Entrepreneurs (R.I.P.E.) initiative, a one-year pilot program for food, beverage and personal care brands with retail ambitions. The emerging and diverse-owned companies will receive expert advice and be able to leverage internal FreshDirect resources to grow their brands, including help adapting strategies for ecommerce success and expanding their customer base in the tri-state area.

Management 263

Management Location Marketing ATS 263

Retail TouchPoints

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Unilever has sold subscription razor brand Dollar Shave Club to the U.S.-based private equity firm Nexus Capital Management for an undisclosed amount. Unilever will retain a 35% minority stake in the company after the sale closes later this year. The sale comes a little over seven years after Unilever bought the buzzy DTC brand for an estimated $1 billion.

Wholesale 279

Wholesale Management Marketing Consumer 279

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 7, 2023

When it debuted back in 2010, Wish was the only game in town as far as manufacturer-direct discount shopping apps went. But times have changed dramatically in the 13 intervening years: Temu , which debuted just last September, is now the top shopping app in the U.S., followed by former #1 Shein , now bumped down to the #2 position. (It should also be noted that for quite some time now, both apps have outpaced those of retail behemoths Walmart and Amazon.

Merchant Services 245

Merchant Services Drop-Shipping Shipping Payment Services 245

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 7, 2023

Continuing to expand its healthcare footprint, Amazon has made its Amazon Clinic telehealth offering available across the U.S. The service, which debuted in November 2022, now provides message-based consultations in 34 states and video visits nationwide. To get treatment, consumers can visit the Amazon Clinic web page or access it on the Amazon mobile app; compare response times and prices from multiple telehealth provider groups; complete an intake form; and connect with their chosen provider.

Shipping 245

Shipping Management Location Planning 245

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 7, 2023

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued another citation to Amazon for exposing its workers to ergonomic hazards and failing to provide proper medical care, this time at its fulfillment center in Logan Township, N.J. This is the sixth time this year that OSHA has cited Amazon for workplace safety violations, and the department said it currently has 18 open federal inspections at Amazon locations in the U.S.

Fulfillment 246

Fulfillment Location ATS Store Operations 246

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 7, 2023

Digital marketplaces help you provide the personalization customers have come to expect, and in today’s crowded ecommerce space, the customer experience has never been more important. Global ecommerce sales are projected to exceed $7 trillion by 2025. While company web stores are essential, digital marketplaces take simple sales to the next level by offering businesses more opportunities to engage with customers.

Customer Experience 246

Customer Experience Customer Retention Marketing Shopping 246

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 20, 2023

Retail marketing lives and dies by one main principle: the voice of the brand. Once in a while it hits a mainstream nerve, forever changing culture, like the magic of Nike’s “Just Do It” or Dove’s “Like a Girl,” and other provocative, inspiring messages that literally helped build some of the world’s most successful commercial empires. Retailers understand the importance of a distinct brand voice and how that connects to long-term customer loyalty — but generative AI is changing the game.

Outdoor 187

Outdoor Marketing Consumer Retail Marketing 187

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 20, 2023

Signet Jewelers is expanding the Zales jewelry rental program powered by Rocksbox , which Signet acquired in 2021. Targeted to customers looking to gear up for special occasions and weddings, the Zales x Rocksbox fine jewelry rental service debuted in May at a select number of stores and is now available at 50 Zales locations across the U.S. “The Zales x Rocksbox Fine Jewelry Rental program is a milestone launch as we come together with Rocksbox to offer customers a try-before-you-buy rent

Jewelry 185

Jewelry Location Shopping ATS 185

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 20, 2023

Moving closer to its goal of opening 100 stores during fiscal 2023, Ross Stores opened 18 Ross Dress for Less and nine dd’s Discounts stores across 14 states in June and July. The value retailer now operates 2,061 stores in 41 states, the District of Columbia and Guam. “These recent openings reflect our ongoing plans to continue building our presence in both existing and newer markets,” said Gregg McGillis, Group EVP, Property Development at Ross Stores in a statement.

Location 189

Location Discount Store Planning Marketing 189

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 19, 2023

Website SaaS platform Wix.com has unveiled plans for a new AI Site Generator along with a suite of AI-powered capabilities, many of which are already available to users. These offerings will equip Wix users with AI technology designed to significantly streamline the entire website building, design and management process. Features already available to users include an AI text creator, domain generator, image creator, background removal and image enhancement tools.

Management 243

Management Planning 243

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 19, 2023

According to a 2022 analysis , the turnover rate for hourly in-store retail positions is 75.8%. In addition, 63% of frontline retail managers are thinking about leaving their roles soon — and some even said they want to leave the industry entirely. The onus is now on HQ — executive leaders specifically — to ensure they’re investing in their store communities.

Customer Experience 232

Customer Experience Management Consumer Store Operations 232

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 19, 2023

Using its 1,700+ stores to support fast fulfillment, Lowe’s has expanded same-day delivery services across the U.S. in partnership with OneRail. Orders placed on Lowes.com or the retailer’s mobile app by 2 p.m. local time will be delivered that day; orders placed after 2 p.m. will be delivered the following day. The retailer began piloting same-day delivery with OneRail in select markets in 2022.

Fulfillment 244

Fulfillment Shopping Marketing Store Operations 244

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 19, 2023

GNC is offering a range of free healthcare services to members of its paid loyalty program, GNC PRO Access. For $39.99 a year, PRO Access members will be able to make telehealth appointments for urgent care and personal health needs, and access 40+ generic versions of most urgent care medications and 70+ generic personal health medications across lifestyle, dermatology, mental health, sports performance, anti-aging and sexual health care.

Consumer 246

Consumer Shopping Marketing ATS 246

Retail TouchPoints

JULY 19, 2023

Poshmark has debuted Posh Lens, a visual search solution that uses AI to help the resale marketplace’s shoppers find desired styles with just a photo. Posh Lens, which leverages visual search technology from Poshmark owner Naver , is currently available for some of Poshmark’s most popular categories, including men’s and women’s apparel, shoes and bags.

Apparel 130

Apparel Shopping Consumer Customer Experience 130