Wed.Jun 18, 2025

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Retail Roulette: When Promotions Become High‑Stakes Risks

Retail Focus

Have you ever walked into a store just to “browse” or to kill time, and walked out with a blender, three candles, and a welcome mat that you don’t really need just because it was 40% off today only? Well, we’ve all fallen for such a trap, and promotions can sometimes feel addictive to a point where we purchase things that we don’t really need. That’s the magic (and madness) of retail promotions, which is a game as unpredictable as roulette.

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David’s Bridal Marries Online and In-Store CX with Shopify Integration

Retail TouchPoints

David’s Bridal is taking the next step toward fully integrating its ecommerce and store operations as it moves into a tech-driven, asset-light retail model. The biggest customer-facing change will be the introduction of an endless aisle experience in select stores, delivered via full-scale digital touchscreens powered by Shopify that will allow shoppers to access the retailer’s entire inventory, enabling them to purchase items at the store’s point-of-sale and have them shipped them directly to t

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Enhancing Retail Customer Experience for Greater Satisfaction and Loyalty

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Holistic Customer Experience: Retail customer experience comprises all interactions, from storefronts to post-purchase, fundamentally influencing customer perceptions and loyalty. Key Components: Optimize store layouts, ensure personalized engagement, invest in staff training, and actively request customer feedback to improve overall satisfaction.

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From Insight to Action: How Leading Brands Turn Retail Audit Data Into Better Execution

Wiser

Retail audits are powerful. They give you a real-time snapshot of what’s happening at the shelf—what’s compliant, what’s missing, what’s broken. But too often, brands stop at the data collection stage or act on it as quick as they can—but often reactively. A broken display gets a photo sent to a rep. A missing tag leads to a call. An out-of-stock item triggers a scramble.

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Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

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.

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Retail Media Remains Fragmented, but Adtech Is Helping Drive Unification

Retail TouchPoints

Over the past few years, retail media has become one of the fastest-growing channels in digital advertising, with over 250 retail media networks (RMNs) currently in operation, not to mention the countless travel platforms, food delivery apps and rideshare services that fall under the umbrella of commerce media. Retailers, agencies and brands all benefit from retail media’s continued growth by unlocking new forms of revenue, improving targeting and delivering more relevant and personalized ads to

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Strategies to Boost Sales of Slow Selling Products for Better Profitability

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Identifying Slow Sellers: Recognize that slow selling products can stem from issues like seasonal demand, high costs, overstock, niche markets, or outdated technology. Understanding these categories allows for effective sales strategies. Analyzing Market Dynamics: Monitor changing customer preferences, economic conditions, and market competition to adapt sales tactics and better meet customer needs.

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The Most Interesting Retail Media News from Cannes Lion: Updates from CVS, Pinterest, DoorDash & More

Retail TouchPoints

Cannes Lion wasn’t always on retailers’ radars, but as retail media has steadily grown in sophistication and influence, the glitzy advertiser conference in France is quickly becoming an annual mainstay for retail marketing executives. In fact, at this year’s event, which took place June 16-20, Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy was named the Media Person of the Year.

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The Top 10 U.S. Malls Ranked

VMS

The summer heat makes indoor shopping malls popular destinations. Which are the best of the best, and why? To answer those questions, USA Today used the following methodology to identify the 10 best indoor shopping malls in the country: “The paper’s 10BEST editors and a panel of experts started by nominating their top picks, factoring in the variety of stores, the breadth of dining and entertainment options, ease of access, and events that set them apart from the rest.

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PayPal Debuts Shoppable Ads to Help Retailers Offset AI-Driven Web Traffic Declines

Retail TouchPoints

As AI reshapes online discovery, merchants of all sizes are grappling with how to handle decreased traffic to their websites — and PayPal wants to help. The company has launched a new advertising product called Storefront Ads that turns ads across the open web into a fully functional storefront. Fueled by the PayPal transaction graph and powered by PayPal and Venmo’s payment rails, Storefront Ads turns recommended products into “buy now” opportunities right within the ad unit i

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Matalan profits rise despite sales fall as turnaround gains pace

Retail Gazette

Matalan has lifted its underlying profitability, despite a decline in sales, as it steps up investment in stores, online and supply chain amid its ongoing turnaround. For the year ending 22 February 2025, the value fashion and home retailer reported an EBITDA of £56m, up 6% year-on-year, driven by improved gross margin and tight cost control. Sales fell 9% to £985m, reflecting a challenging consumer backdrop and competitive market.

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AI In The Aisles: The Executives Guide To Better In-Store Experiences

Speaker: Steve Worthy, MBA

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.

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Landsec Breaks Ground on Marlborough Square Redevelopment at Gunwharf Quays

365 Retail

Landsec , owner and operator of several major UK retail destinations, has broken ground on the Marlborough Square redevelopment at Gunwharf Quays , marking the latest phase in its long-term investment in the Portsmouth-based outlet centre. The transformation builds on the recent upgrade of The Avenues, with this next phase due for completion in Spring 2026.

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Adapting to AI and New Technologies for Business Success Today

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Embrace Change: Adapting to AI and new technologies is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and efficiency in today’s fast-paced business environment. Leverage AI Benefits: Using AI can automate tasks, enhance customer experiences, and improve decision-making through data analytics, setting your business apart from competitors.

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KMD Brands sees decreased sales as markets remain volatile

Inside Retail

Outdoor and lifestyle retailer KMD Brands has seen a dip in its group sales of 0.5 per cent over a 10-month period, as of the end of May this year. Although the group’s Rip Curl brand saw a sales increase of 0.4 per cent, its Kathmandu sales dropped by 1 per cent, and Oboz experienced a 4.1 per cent decline. The group’s online sales rose 10.7 per cent year-to-date compared to the same period last year.

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Aldi targets 20 new store locations across the UK

Retail Gazette

Aldi has unveiled an updated list of priority locations across the UK where it is actively seeking new store sites, following a nationwide call-out for suggestions from the public. The German discounter said it analysed thousands of responses to determine where demand is greatest as it works towards its long-term goal of 1,500 UK stores — up from more than 1,050 currently trading.

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New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

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.

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How brands can stop reintroducing themselves with end-to-end personalisation

Inside Retail

Customers want to feel seen and understood by brands, a high bar that is sometimes met by physical retail and scarcely met by e-commerce. Frequently mistargeted ads can hurt a retailer’s reputation if customers develop a negative perception and experience a decrease in trust and brand loyalty. In the case that the ad does target the right customer and they visit the site, a generic non-personalised onsite experience could lead to similar feelings of discontent.

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When 100% of Stores Miss the Mark: How In-Store Data Saved an Ice Cream Launch

Wiser

Even the best product launches can melt under pressure when the basics break down at the store level. That’s what happened to one ice cream brand in Australia. Backed by a big marketing push (new flavors, national advertising, discount pricing, and vibrant freezer signage) the brand had every reason to expect a successful rollout. But sales didn’t follow.

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Unlocking the Power of Yelp Messaging for Business Engagement and Growth

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Direct Customer Engagement: Yelp messaging enables real-time communication between businesses and customers, fostering immediate interaction and building trust. Improved Responsiveness: Businesses that respond to customer inquiries within 24 hours significantly increase customer engagement, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.

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The US$2 trillion wellness is still growing. Here’s how to compete now

Inside Retail

For a long time, wellness was something you did at the gym. It was that green smoothie in the morning or a meditation app at night. It was functional, supplementary and an add-on to a busy, often imbalanced life. But that definition is quickly collapsing. McKinsey & Co’s latest Future of Wellness report (May 2025) stated that the global wellness market now exceeds US$2 trillion, and it continues growing.

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Breaking The Commerce Bottleneck: Your SAP Exit Plan Starts Now

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.

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Ocado Group to build new warehouse for Catalan partner

Retail Gazette

Ocado Group is expanding its partnership with Catalan retailer Bon Preu, with plans to build a new customer fulfilment centre in the region. The grocery technology firm said the automated warehouse will allow Bon Preu customers “to benefit from an even broader range, greater freshness and higher perfect order rate”. It added that the build will bring “significant cost efficiencies” of Ocado’s robotic automation and boost the division’s profitability.

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Labubu, Jellycat and more: How retailers can connect with the kidult consumer

Inside Retail

Labubu, Jellycat, Smiski and Squishmallows, what do all of these items have in common? They are the current interest, bordering on obsession, for many a Millennial and Gen Z consumer. These two consumer groups have been lumped into an increasingly powerful shopper segment dubbed ‘kidults’, an amalgamation of the words ‘kid’ and ‘adults’. Figures collected from market research company Circana revealed that in the 12 months ending June 2024, US-based adults accounted for more than US$7 billion in

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Mastering Sales Prospecting: How to Let Prospects Sell Themselves

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Prospects Lead the Conversation: Modern sales dynamics require you to let prospects express their needs, guiding you toward effective solutions. Active Listening is Key: By actively listening to prospects, you can better understand their challenges and priorities, fostering trust and collaboration. Recognizing Strong Prospects: Look for qualities such as awareness of need, authority to buy, a sense of urgency, and trust in your organization to identify strong sales candidates.

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Waitrose to open first major supermarket in seven years near Bristol

Retail Gazette

Waitrose has confirmed that its first new full-line supermarket in seven years will open in Bristol in 2027. The 30,000sq ft store will create 150 new jobs and be built in north of the city in Brabazon, which the retailer described as “one of the most sustainable examples of urban regeneration in the UK”. It will offer Waitrose’s range of food, feature its fresh food counters, as well as online grocery shopping and on-demand grocery service.

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Humans + Agents = Rethinking Enterprise Commerce with AI

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

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umdasch The Store Makers brings Italian lifestyle to Dornbirn for La Moda Bernardo

Retail Focus

Just in time for spring, the long-established family business opened its newly designed store in the heart of Dornbirn. Spanning around 350 square metres over two floors, umdasch The Store Makers realised and implemented the creative concept in its entirety. The result is an impressive shopping experience that showcases the owner family’s Italian heritage, with an authentic atmosphere, emotional storytelling and high- quality craftsmanship.

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The Perfume Shop sells record 250,000 bottles in Father’s Day surge

Retail Gazette

The Perfume Shop has reported record-breaking sales over the two weeks leading up to Father’s Day, with over 248,000 bottles sold — marking a 10% year-on-year uplift. The UK’s largest specialist perfume retailer said the figure was equivalent to 12 bottles sold every minute, as fragrance remains a top gift choice for the occasion. In-store purchases drove the majority of sales, accounting for 69% of transactions — up 9% year-on-year — while online sales also rose by 13%.

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How to Successfully Run a Business Out of a Storage Unit

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Cost-Effectiveness: Running a business from a storage unit is significantly cheaper than traditional commercial leases, allowing for better resource allocation and financial management. Flexibility: Storage units provide versatile options for various business types, including e-commerce and art studios, without incurring high overhead costs.

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Vanderlande to automate Kmart’s new omni-channel facility

Retail Technology Review

Vanderlande has been selected by Kmart to automate its new logistics facility at the Moorebank Intermodal Precinct in Sydney. To meet the complex needs and demands of one of Australia’s most iconic retail brands, the state-of-the-art warehouse will feature Vanderlande’s FASTPICK goods-to-person order fulfilment system.

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5 Tips for a Winning Category Management Strategy in 2025

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.

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Creative Baking Business Ideas to Inspire Your Entrepreneurial Journey

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Explore Diverse Baking Models: From home-based operations to online bakeries, there are various business models that cater to different market segments in the baking industry. Emphasize Niche Markets: Specializing in gluten-free, vegan, or custom baked goods can help you stand out and attract specific customer demographics. Leverage Digital Marketing: Utilize social media and SEO strategies to enhance your online presence and reach a broader audience effectively.

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The Cotswold Company Opens Knutsford Showroom in Restored Heritage Building

365 Retail

The Cotswold Company has officially opened its 13th UK showroom in Knutsford, marking the brand’s first physical presence in the North West. The new store is located at 127 King Street in the Grade II-listed Union Bank building, which has been vacant for several years and has now undergone significant renovation to bring it back into public use. Founded in 1996, the brand has built a reputation for premium, handcrafted furniture and homeware, sold through a digitally-led, omni-channel model.

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Business Owner Jailed for Fraudulently Claiming $1.6M in CARES Act Funds

Small Biz Trends

In a cautionary tale for small business owners navigating financial assistance, Shawn Ray Murnan, a 57-year-old businessman from Windemere, Florida, was sentenced to 33 months in prison for committing bank fraud in relation to the CARES Act. The ruling comes as a stark reminder of the legal and financial pitfalls that can arise when individuals attempt to exploit government funding programs.

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Sainsbury’s new Nectar360 Pollen platform will supercharge its retail media business

Retail Technology Review

J Sainsbury plc’s (Sainsbury’s) loyalty, insights and retail media business, Nectar360, is to launch a new unified retail media platform: Nectar360 Pollen. Designed to solve for the industry’s biggest pain points and to support Nectar360’s mission to create valuable relationships between customers and their favourite brands.

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Cut Costs & Complexity: Smarter Fulfillment for Home, Furniture & DIY Brands

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.