Thu.Jun 19, 2025

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Weathering the Storm: How Retailers can Ensure Resilience Amid Rising Cloud Outages

Retail TouchPoints

In today’s digital-first marketplace, consumer expectations for flawless shopping experiences, whether in-store or online, have reached unprecedented heights and are putting pressure on retailers to provide an “always on” business model. The Impact of Technical Disruptions on Retail A vivid illustration of the vulnerability of retail operations to technical disruptions occurred recently in the UK.

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Retail’s IPO recalibration: From scaling fast to chasing sustainable growth

Inside Retail

Retail’s emphasis on rapid expansion is yielding to a more considered and deliberate approach. Across Australian brands, a new narrative is emerging that is defined less by aggressive growth and more by thoughtful, strategic pacing. The recent decision by direct-to-consumer furniture darling, Koala , to pause its $100 million IPO is emblematic of a broader recalibration taking place across the sector.

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Why Modular Exhibition Systems Are Ideal for Retail Environments

Retail Focus

In the ever-evolving world of retail, adaptability, aesthetics, and cost-efficiency are crucial to staying ahead of the competition. Retailers must constantly update their in-store displays, promotional setups, and product showcases to capture customer interest and reflect current trends. One solution that perfectly addresses these needs is the modular exhibition system.

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Former Debenhams boss to take the helm of Country Road Group

Inside Retail

Country Road Group has hired ex-Debenhams co-CEO Steven Cook as its new chief executive, who will take the role over from Raju Vuppalapati. Vuppalapati resigned from the position in early June and is to exit the business in August following a handover period with Cook. Owned by South Africa’s Woolworths Holding, Country Road has over 650 stores across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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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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How to Open a Retail Store: Essential Checklist for Success

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Thorough Market Research: Conducting in-depth market research helps identify industry trends, competitor strategies, and customer preferences, providing a competitive advantage. Define Your Target Audience: Knowing your target demographic and their shopping behaviors allows for tailored product offerings and effective marketing strategies.

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How garment workers are being left behind by sustainability targets: Report

Inside Retail

The global fashion industry has taken centre stage in the push to decarbonise as climate concerns intensify. But despite bold net-zero targets, a new report from the Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reveals a stark omission in fashion’s climate commitments when it comes to the workers who make the clothes. According to the report, “The Missing Thread”, more than half of 65 major fashion brands, including Hermes, Nike and Lululemon, have set emission reduction goals for 2030.

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Ikea buys Perth store, plans upgrades

Inside Retail

Ikea now owns the land and building of its Perth location at Innaloo following a settlement with GDI Property Group. The investment includes four peripheral buildings leased to external tenants and provides a strong foundation for the organisation’s growth. “The success of the Perth market for Ikea Australia has enabled us to invest with confidence and optimism for further growth and development,” said Ikea Australia Ceo and chief sustainability officer Mirja Viinanen.

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Tesco launches solar-powered chilled delivery fleet

Retail Gazette

Tesco has begun introducing solar-powered refrigeration units to its delivery fleet as part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions across its operations. The UK’s largest grocer is incorporating five battery- and solar-powered endurance units from British engineering firm Sunswap to its Peterborough depot fleet. The new units replace traditional diesel-powered refrigeration systems, allowing the retailer to reduce emissions generated during food deliveries and even when the vehicles are station

Grocer 105
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US investor buys Melbourne mall for $440 million

Inside Retail

US-based PGIM Real Estate has acquired Woodgrove shopping centre in Melbourne for $440 million. PGIM partnered with Australia’s Assemble Funds Management (AFM) to acquire the single-level shopping centre, which occupies 27ha in the suburb of Melton. The centre generates over $520 million and features over 140 stores, including Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Kmart, and a cinema.

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Unlock the Power of Knowing Your Market for Business Success

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Market Understanding is Essential: Knowing your market is crucial for connecting with your audience and tailoring strategies that resonate with them. Informed Decision-Making: Market knowledge supports better decision-making, helping businesses adapt to customer needs and seize opportunities. Variety of Market Types: Different markets (local, online, niche, B2B) require tailored strategies for effective engagement and outreach.

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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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How Alyn Golf is redefining women’s golfwear with style and purpose

Inside Retail

With golf content gaining traction on social media and a growing number of women showing interest in the sport, the apparel and accessories market for female golfers is poised for expansion. Last month, Tisha Alyn, a former professional golfer, officially launched Alyn Golf, an online apparel and lifestyle brand that offers the kind of products she wishes she had had when she was competing.

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A Deep Dive on the Influence of Betting on Football Merchandising

Retail Focus

Football has always been a sport deeply tied to commerce, and few elements show this more clearly than merchandising. Club shirts, scarves, hats, and branded memorabilia are not only tools of fandom, they are critical revenue streams for clubs at all levels. Fans wear their club colours with pride, and in doing so, they become walking billboards. These items don’t just represent allegiance; they reflect the influence of sponsors, and in recent years, betting companies have increasingly fou

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The North Face opens Sydney CBD pop-up store

Inside Retail

Outdoor clothing and accessories brand The North Face has opened a pop-up in Sydney’s Martin Place. The store will sell winterwear, with a mix of insulation, apparel, luggage, day packs and footwear. The 120sqm store is located next to the stores of Rolex, Omega, Orlebar Brown, Armani and Cos. The pop-up complements the brand’s stores in World Square, Bondi Junction and Chatswood.

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Co-op secures £350m in fresh funding spurred by ‘social values’

Retail Gazette

Co-op has secured a new £350m lending agreement with six major banks, in what it said reflects “strong market confidence” in the retailer. The co-operative has agreed a five-year deal with HSBC, Barclays, ING, Lloyds, NatWest and Rabobank linked to its sustainability and social impact targets. It said the deal is “a key step on Co-op’s journey to sustainable, profitable growth” and reflects “strong market confidence in the group’s continued resilience and performanc

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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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MGA Independent Retailers names Martin Stirling as CEO

Inside Retail

Independent grocer and liquor employer association, MGA Independent Retailers, has appointed Martin Stirling as its new CEO. Stirling will be taking over from outgoing CEO David Inall, who helped with the strategic growth of the organisation and expanded its advocacy efforts. Stirling has been part of MGA’s leadership team for over two years. He was previously director of legal services, at which time he led the organisation’s industrial relations and legal policy agenda, emphasising the

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Choosing the Ideal Location for Your Business: Key Factors to Consider

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Location Influence: The right business location directly impacts visibility, customer access, and overall success, making it a critical decision for any entrepreneur. Accessibility Matters: Choose a spot with easy access to major roads, public transport, and parking to enhance customer traffic and engagement. Know Your Audience: Understanding local demographics helps in selecting a location that closely aligns with your target market, increasing the chances of attracting repeat cus

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E-commerce greeting card platform Moonpig launches in Australia

Inside Retail

UK online greeting card and gifting platform, Moonpig , has launched in Australia, making its range available for delivery via AusPost. Customers will be able to access over 33,000 card designs, all locally printed in Melbourne and Sydney, with new designs added each week. The brand will provide a photo upload service, allowing customers to send completely personalised cards, AI-powered stickers to generate custom illustrations based on prompts, and a handwriting tool that will enable users to

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Retail sales suffer sharpest monthly drop since 2023 as spending cools

Retail Gazette

Retail sales volumes across Great Britain slumped 2.7% in May — the biggest monthly drop since December 2023 — as demand cooled following a weather-boosted April. According to the latest Retail Sales Index from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales declined across all major sectors, with food stores seeing the steepest fall at 5%, driven by fewer supermarket trips and lower alcohol and tobacco sales.

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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 Ideas for Business Holiday Cards to Impress Clients and Partners

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Strengthen Client Relationships: Sending holiday cards fosters appreciation and loyalty, making clients feel valued and enhancing trust in your business. Enhance Brand Visibility: Physical holiday cards serve as memorable reminders of your business, increasing brand awareness and keeping you top-of-mind for clients. Customize for Impact: Personalization, from custom designs to handwritten messages, is crucial in creating meaningful connections that resonate with your audience.

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Asos under fire after shutting customer accounts over returns rule

Retail Gazette

Asos is facing a social media backlash after closing a number of customer accounts it says repeatedly violated its fair use policy. The online fashion giant’s account closures have left many shoppers confused and frustrated, sparking a wave of customers rushing to social media to complain. “We recently closed the accounts of a small group of customers whose shopping activity has consistently fallen outside our Fair Use policy,” Asos told Retail Gazette.

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Eden Shopping Centre’s ‘Start up to Store’ winner is announced

A1 Retail

Eden Shopping Centre’s ‘Start up to Store’ winner, Baked by Marie, is getting ready to spread joy to shoppers with her homemade luxurious cookies and cakes in the High Wycombe shopping centre in time for Summer. As the winner of Eden’s ‘Start up to Store’ competition; the local cottage baker from Beaconsfield, has been awarded a store, completely free for six months, in the High Wycombe shopping centre.

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Morrisons boss hails ‘bounce back’ as interim sales and profits climb

Retail Gazette

Morrisons boss Rami Baitiéh said the supermarket chain has “bounced back strongly” following disruptions to its supply caused by a cyber attack at the end of last year. The retailer delivered an underlying EBITDA of £344m in the half to 27 April, up 7.2% year-on-year and boosted by a 4.2% increase in sales to £3.9bn during its second quarter. It credited its sales and profit growth to in-store trials of a more focused product range, improvements to its Market Street concept which features Farm S

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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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The Portman Estate announces first retail lettings at Loxton Walk, opening later this year

A1 Retail

The Portman Estate has signed two leading London retail brands to join the curated line-up at the eagerly anticipated Loxton Walk. These prominent lettings within the open-air central courtyard highlight the success of The Portman Estate’s efforts to create a vibrant new destination for workers, residents and visitors of Marylebone, in collaboration with Derwent London.

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Mastering the Art of Negotiating a Business Deal for Success

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Preparation is Key: Successful negotiations begin with thorough preparation, including research on market trends and understanding the needs of all parties involved. Clear Objectives: Establish specific and measurable goals before entering negotiations to stay focused and guide your strategy effectively. Relationship Building: Cultivating trust and rapport is crucial for facilitating smoother negotiations and achieving win-win outcomes.

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Marks & Spencer holds prices on school uniform for fifth year in a row

A1 Retail

M&S has held prices on its market leading school uniform since 2021 Designed to be durable and pass the ‘hand-me-down’ quality test, M&S continues to offer extended 100-day returns period on school uniform. At the start of this year M&S also reduced the price on up to 100 products from its kids’ everyday essentials range Marks & Spencer has announced it is protecting the price of its market-leading quality school uniform for the fifth year in a row.

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Understanding Mind Maps: A Comprehensive Guide to Visual Thinking

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding Mind Maps: A mind map is a visual tool that organizes information, allowing you to break down complex topics into manageable ideas, enhancing clarity and understanding. History and Evolution: Mind mapping has historical roots dating back to the 3rd century A.D., with contributions from figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Tony Buzan, who popularized its modern applications.

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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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Luxury Shoppers Holding Back

VMS

Even the well-off are feeling a bit wobbly about all the tumult taking place on a global scale, reports the latest Saks Global Luxury Pulse survey. “The luxury consumer’s optimism about the economy continues to decline, driven by economic uncertainty and market volatility,” notes the quarterly report, which seeks to gauge luxury consumer sentiment towards the macroeconomic environment and its impact on high-end spending.

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Shopify Enhances Focus on Customer Experience for Small Business Success

Small Biz Trends

Shopify, the leading e-commerce platform, is sharpening its focus on small business success by welcoming Joe Natale to its board of directors. With over 30 years of experience in the tech and telecom sectors, Natale is expected to bring invaluable insights that could shape the future of Shopify’s offerings for merchants. Joe Natale has spent decades at the forefront of innovation, transitioning from a software engineer to leading significant companies.

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AO World mulls axing loss-making mobile contract business

Retail Gazette

AO World has warned that it could shut its loss-making contract mobile phone business within the next couple of months if fails to secure a more profitable deal with network providers. Chief executive John Roberts said the retailer was considering closing down its network contract business , but assured that it was “not walking away from mobile as a category”.

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Salesforce Unveils New Pricing Plans to Boost Small Business Growth

Small Biz Trends

Salesforce has announced significant updates to its product offerings, aimed at making advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools more accessible for businesses of all sizes. With a growing emphasis on customer success, the platform is positioning itself as a crucial ally for small businesses looking to innovate and improve operations. AI is no longer merely an optional tool—it’s becoming an essential component for driving business results. “Empowering every employee with AI isn’t j

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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.