Sun.Jun 15, 2025

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Why fastest isn’t always best for online delivery: Lessons from Amazon, Walmart

Inside Retail

As consumers, we’ve been conditioned to value ‘the quicker the better’. Driven by the need for instant gratification, we’ve developed an artificial urgency and a love for ultra-fast delivery offerings. In the US, Walmart and Amazon are slogging it out in the ‘who can deliver quicker’ race, with Walmart stating it has delivered 4.4 billion items on the same or next day last year, while Amazon hit 4 billion same-day items to US shoppers (plus an additional 2 billion in Europe) in the same period.

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Macy’s Store Closures Partially Responsible for 274% Increase in Retail Layoffs, According to a New Report

Retail Wire

Macy’s store closures were part of the reason for the recent round of retail layoffs, according to a new Challenger, Gray & Christmas analysis published by Fox Business. The report paints a grim picture for U.S. workers: Employers announced roughly 696,000 job cuts between January and May 2025—an 80% jump from the same stretch last year. Retail has borne a disproportionate share of that pain.

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Why visiting a mall in Thailand feels more like sightseeing than shopping

Inside Retail

Where the sound of tuk-tuks fills the air and the smell of street food wafts between glass skyscrapers, IconSiam, which is on the West Bank of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, rises as Thailand’s retail revolution. Thailand’s The Nation newspaper reported that, in 2023, the wholesale and retail trade sector contributed about THB2.8 trillion ($84 billion) to Thailand’s GDP, accounting for about 15.17 per cent of the total GDP.

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Papa Johns Receives $2 Billion Purchase Bid From Apollo Global Management

Retail Wire

Few brands in the quick-service space generate as much boardroom drama as Papa Johns. Now the pizza chain has a fresh plot twist: Private-equity giant Apollo Global Management and Qatari-backed Irth Capital Management have lobbed a joint, all-cash offer worth roughly $2 billion—or just over $60 a share—to take the company private. News of the bid sent shares up 7.5% and re-ignited speculation that Papa Johns’ next growth act may unfold away from Wall Street’s spotlight.

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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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Pop Mart launches jewellery concept store

Inside Retail

“Blind box” toymaker Pop Mart , which has seen frenzied sales worldwide for products related to its ugly-cute Labubu character, opened its first jewellery store in Shanghai on Friday. The jewellery concept store, called Popop, sells accessories adorned with Pop Mart’s top-selling characters, including Labubu, Molly and Skullpanda. While Chinese consumption remains subdued in the face of a prolonged property downturn and sluggish economy , Pop Mart’s affordable and adorabl

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Maximizing Success with Online and Offline Marketing Channels Strategies

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding Marketing Channels: Knowledge of both online and offline marketing channels is essential for effective customer engagement and business success. Advantages of Online Marketing: Online channels like social media, email marketing, and content marketing provide immediate engagement, targeted promotions, and valuable data insights.

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Understanding Automotive Parts Pricing: Factors That Impact Costs

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding automotive parts pricing is crucial for both DIY enthusiasts and small businesses to make informed purchasing decisions. Key factors influencing pricing include brand reputation, manufacturing costs, supply chain dynamics, and market demand. Implementing competitive and dynamic pricing strategies can help small businesses attract customers and stay ahead of market trends.

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Freedom Furniture sold to Amart as Greenlit Brands continues divestment strategy

Inside Retail

Greenlit Brands is selling its Freedom furniture business to rival furniture chain Amart. The move will establish a combined platform of around 120 stores across Australia and New Zealand, supported by a network of distribution centres and a combined annual turnover of nearly $1 billion. The company says the deal reflects Greenlit Brand’s strategic focus over the last six years on investing in businesses that are well-positioned to grow under new ownership.

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Effective Strategies for Managing Seasonal Employees in Your Business

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Flexibility in Staffing: Seasonal employees provide the ability to swiftly adjust workforce size based on demand during peak seasons, ensuring business continuity without burdening full-time staff. Cost-Effectiveness: Hiring seasonal workers allows businesses to manage labor costs efficiently, as it eliminates long-term financial commitments while meeting operational needs.

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What Is an App Builder and How It Transforms Mobile Development

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Accessibility: App builders allow individuals without coding skills to create functional mobile applications, making app development accessible to entrepreneurs and small businesses. Types of Builders: Understand the difference between no-code and low-code app builders; no-code for rapid deployment without any coding, and low-code for more advanced customization with some coding knowledge.

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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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Zoom Launches Virtual Agent 2.0 With Next-Gen Agentic AI for Smarter Customer Service

Small Biz Trends

Zoom Communications recently unveiled Zoom Virtual Agent 2.0, a significant upgrade to its self-service support platform that introduces agentic artificial intelligence for smarter, autonomous customer engagement across both chat and voice channels. The new version of Zoom Virtual Agent is designed to go beyond basic chatbot capabilities by completing multi-step tasks like processing returns, updating user accounts, and scheduling appointments — all without human assistance.

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Essential Retail Store Pre Opening Checklist for a Successful Launch

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Essential for Success: A retail store pre-opening checklist is crucial for ensuring all elements are prepared before launch, increasing the likelihood of a successful opening. Identify Issues Early: Utilizing a checklist helps identify and address potential problems like inventory shortages and marketing gaps early in the process, safeguarding customer experience.

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Essential Factors to Consider Before Buying a Franchise for Success

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Research is Essential: Thoroughly investigate the franchise model, reputation, support systems, and market demand before making an investment to avoid costly mistakes. Evaluate Financial Commitment: Understand the initial investment, franchise fees (typically $10,000 to $50,000), royalty fees, and associated costs for equipment and supplies to accurately gauge financial requirements.

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Effective Strategies to Increase Website Revenue and Boost Profits

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding Website Revenue: Website revenue includes income from sales, advertising, affiliate commissions, and subscriptions, emphasizing the need for diversified income streams for small businesses. Importance of Revenue Increase: Higher website revenue is crucial for business growth, allowing for reinvestment in marketing, employee development, and improved sales performance.

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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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Unlock Your Online Presence with GoDaddy GoCentral Website Builder

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways User-Friendly Platform: GoDaddy GoCentral provides an intuitive website builder, allowing users without technical expertise to create professional websites quickly and efficiently. Customizable Templates: The platform offers a wide range of customizable design templates tailored for various industries, enabling businesses to present their brand effectively.

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Explore 65 Side Businesses to Start for Extra Income and Flexibility

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Diverse Opportunities: Side businesses come in various forms, such as online platforms and local services, catering to different skills and interests for financial improvement and fulfillment. Financial Freedom: Starting a side business can create additional income streams, helping to reduce debt, build savings, and achieve personal financial goals.

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Equipment Financing: A Comprehensive Guide to Smart Business Funding

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding Equipment Financing: Equipment financing helps businesses acquire necessary machinery or tools without significant upfront costs, allowing easier management of cash flow. Types of Financing Options: Options include secured loans, unsecured loans, and leases, each catering to different business needs and financial situations.

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Understanding What Is a Stealth Startup: The Secrets Behind Discreet Innovation

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Definition: A stealth startup operates in secrecy, avoiding public exposure while developing innovative products to maintain a competitive edge. Purpose: Stealth mode enables startups to minimize competition, reduce idea theft, and focus on refining their business model and product before launch. Characteristics: Key traits include secrecy about operations and product features, fostering an environment for creativity and innovation without external distractions.

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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.

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Inspiring Insights from Our Exclusive Interview with Bob Lefkowitz

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Influential Contributions: Bob Lefkowitz’s groundbreaking research on G protein-coupled receptors has advanced cell signaling and significantly impacted pharmacology, paving the way for new drug developments. Serendipitous Career Journey: Lefkowitz’s unexpected career shifts emphasize the importance of seizing opportunities, highlighting how flexibility can lead to innovative breakthroughs in both science and entrepreneurship.

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What Is Unified Communications and How It Transforms Business Efficiency

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Definition of Unified Communications: UC integrates various communication tools—emails, instant messages, video calls, and voice calls—into a single platform to streamline interactions and enhance collaboration. Enhanced Productivity: Implementing UC can lead to a significant productivity boost, with studies suggesting improvements of up to 52% in workplace efficiency through seamless communication.

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Discover the Benefits of the Ruggie Alarm Clock for Better Mornings

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Effective Wake-Up Mechanism: The Ruggie alarm clock requires you to physically step on it for a minimum of three seconds to turn off the alarm, promoting an active start to your day, especially beneficial for heavy sleepers. Comfortable Design: Featuring a soft fleece exterior and high-density memory foam, the Ruggie offers a comfortable experience when getting out of bed, making mornings less daunting.

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Comparing Skype and Slack: Which Tool is Best for Your Team?

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Unique Strengths: Skype excels in video conferencing and voice calls, making it ideal for remote interactions, while Slack focuses on organized team messaging and collaboration through channels. Integration Capabilities: Slack offers extensive integration with over 2,600 business apps, enabling streamlined workflows, whereas Skype’s integration options are more limited.

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What Your Financial Statements Are Telling You—And How to Listen!

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.

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Unlock Your Creative Potential with Schoolism Online Art Courses

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Holistic Learning Approach: Schoolism transforms traditional education by promoting creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence for enhanced student engagement and real-world preparedness. Student-Centered Focus: By prioritizing individual needs, schoolism fosters a love for learning and cultivates essential skills, enabling students to thrive in diverse learning environments.

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Making Tax Time Less Daunting for Your Small Business: Essential Strategies

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding various tax obligations, such as income, self-employment, sales, payroll, and corporate taxes, is essential for small business compliance. Familiarize yourself with common tax deductions and credits, including business expenses, home office deductions, and depreciation, to reduce tax liability effectively. Organize financial records meticulously to ensure smooth tax preparation and compliance, including keeping personal and business finances separate.

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How to Make Money on Rumble: A Complete Guide for Content Creators

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Monetization Opportunities: Rumble provides multiple methods to earn money, including ad revenue sharing and partnerships with larger platforms, making it a viable option for video creators. Engaging Content Creation: Focus on quality video production and engaging storytelling to enhance viewer retention and interaction, which can directly impact earnings.

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Maximizing Productivity by Effectively Using Remote Workers

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Embrace remote work as a strategic advantage to access a wider talent pool, reduce overhead costs, and promote a better work-life balance for employees. Remote workers typically show increased productivity due to fewer distractions and more flexible work environments; studies suggest they can be up to 22% more productive than in-office counterparts.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

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.