Fri.Sep 22, 2023

article thumbnail

Walmart: Virtual Worlds Offer Chance to ‘Experiment with a New Type of Commerce’

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart is actively pursuing what it sees as the “future of retail” in gaming environments. The company shared details about a number of current initiatives — including plans to introduce commerce capabilities into its mobile game House Flip — and promised that “over the next year, you’ll see us test a variety of experiences in virtual worlds that connect to commerce at stores and vice versa.

Fashion 253
article thumbnail

See Chipotle’s New Robots That Can Crank Out Nearly 200 Burrito Bowls an Hour

Retail Wire

Chipotle is partnering with Hyphen, a food tech startup, to test an automated kitchen line capable of producing up to 180 bowls per hour, boosting the efficiency of its digital orders, which accounted for over $3 billion in sales last year. While one person can manually prepare 20 to 30 bowls per hour, Hyphen’s system.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Sunnier Economic Outlooks Drive Peak Season

Retail TouchPoints

While consumers still make plenty of online purchases, analysts expect ecommerce sales to grow more moderately in the near term compared to the past few years. Meanwhile, consumers return to brick-and-mortar stores and seek omnichannel experiences. Click-and-collect sales from BOPIS and curbside pickup are projected to exceed $100 billion this year.

Shipping 248
article thumbnail

Decjuba to open standalone D-luxe Basics concept stores

Inside Retail

Fashion retailer Decjuba will launch seven standalone D-luxe Basics concept stores across Australia this week. Previously, the company only sold its D-luxe Basics products online and as a sub-brand within Decjuba stores. The concept stores are set to open at Eastgardens in New South Wales, Geelong and Eastland in Victoria, Rundle Mall in South Australia, Subiaco and Joondalup in Western Australia, and Pacific Fair in Queensland.

article thumbnail

How To Drive Retail Results With Integrated Tech And UX Design

Speaker: Jennifer Wright and Nick Barron

Navigating the complexities of e-commerce requires more than just the right technology - It demands a holistic strategy that aligns platform capabilities with customer- centric design and marketing. This webinar will provide a roadmap for building a robust e-commerce strategy, guiding you through key decisions from platform selection to creating user experiences that convert, and leverage digital marketing to reach and retail customers.

article thumbnail

Staples Adds Uber Eats Delivery Option for School and Office Supplies

Retail TouchPoints

Staples has partnered with Uber Eats to make school and office supplies available for scheduled or on-demand delivery from its stores across the country. Members of the Uber One loyalty program will benefit from $0 delivery fees and up to 10% off Staples orders of $15 or more at selected stores. “Back to school and back to the office can make September one of the busiest months of the year, and Staples has the solution to so many household challenges,” said Christian Freese, Head of Grocery and

Returns 245
article thumbnail

Big Box Medicine: How Retail Brands Are Thinking About the Future of Healthcare

Retail Wire

Retailers are increasingly eyeing the healthcare industry, seeking opportunities to expand into the nearly $4 trillion health sector. This encompasses a range of initiatives, from retail health clinics to wearable medical devices, aiming to enhance access to healthcare services, especially in the home setting.

124
124

More Trending

article thumbnail

McDonald’s To Raise Royalty Fees for New Franchise Restaurants in US, Canada

Retail Wire

McDonald’s is set to increase royalty fees for new franchise restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, marking the first hike in nearly thirty years, according to a letter seen by Reuters. Starting Jan. 1, the fees will rise from 4% to 5%, aligning with charges in other global markets. This move comes as the fast-food.

Marketing 124
article thumbnail

Foot Locker Continues Shift to Community Stores with New Chicago Location

Retail TouchPoints

Foot Locker has opened its new community-focused store at the Chatham Ridge Shopping Center in Chicago. The exterior of the store is adorned with a mural titled Love Yours that was created by a local artist to represent the power of loving and taking pride in community. The new location spans 9,695 square feet and celebrates the South Side community through exclusive community-centric programming.

Location 238
article thumbnail

Sterling Dips After Weak UK Business Activity, Retail Data

Retail Wire

The British pound experienced a dip against both the dollar and the euro following disappointing business activity and retail data. A Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey revealed that UK companies faced a tougher September than anticipated, marking its lowest score since January 2021.

article thumbnail

To Tackle Workforce Issues, Retail Leaders Need to Display Their Vulnerability

Retail TouchPoints

With our Editors Perspectives column, you’ll get insights and opinions from the Retail TouchPoints editorial team as they dig into the latest trends in retail, marketing and tech. “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it’s our greatest measure of courage.

article thumbnail

How to Maximize Amazon Sales and Crush the Competition

With over 9 million sellers on Amazon, online marketplaces are more crowded than ever. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune prices in real-time or align strategies across channels, this guide provides the tools to understand how to maximize sales and secure a lasting competitive edge. Download now to transform your pricing strategy and drive holiday success.

article thumbnail

FTC to File Antitrust Case Against Amazon as Soon as Tuesday – Politico

Retail Wire

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is poised to file an anticipated antitrust lawsuit against Amazon in federal court, potentially as early as Tuesday, according to reports by Politico. This move is part of a broader effort to curtail the market dominance of major tech firms. The anticipated suit follows similar actions taken against Google and.

Marketing 113
article thumbnail

Ads Coming to Prime Video in 2024, but Amazon Promises ‘Meaningfully Fewer’ than on Other Streamers

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon is following the lead of nearly every other streaming service — including Disney+ , Netflix and HBO’s Max — in announcing that it will begin running ads on its programming in early 2024. Prime members who wish to avoid commercials will have the option to upgrade to a new ad-free tier for $2.99 per month. Amazon’s announcement of its plans had an almost apologetic undertone.

article thumbnail

Planet Fitness’ Longtime CEO Says He Was ‘Blindsided’ by Abrupt Firing That Sent Gym’s Stock Plummeting — And Barred Him From Talking to Staff

Retail Wire

Chris Rondeau, former CEO of Planet Fitness, expressed being “seriously blindsided” by the board’s decision to ask him to resign, causing the company’s shares to plummet nearly 20%. This abrupt change wiped over $1 billion in market cap from the gym giant. Rondeau’s separation agreement now restricts him from contacting most Planet Fitness employees regarding.

Marketing 113
article thumbnail

The Entertainer profits plunge despite 10% sales rise

Retail Gazette

The Entertainer’s pre-tax profits dropped from £22.5m last year to £7.6m, despite experiencing nearly a 10% rise in sales. The toy retailer’s sales edged up 1% on pre-pandemic levels, for the year ended 28 January 2023. While store sales were “up significantly”, the business noted online sales dropped compared to the previous year, although were higher than pre-Covid.

ATS 111
article thumbnail

Pricing for Profit: How to Set, Negotiate, and Succeed

Speaker: Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader

In today’s competitive market, pricing is more than just a number — it’s the cornerstone of profitability. The right pricing strategy ensures that you capture the true value of your offering, paving the way for sustainable growth and long-term success. Join Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader, in this exclusive session where he will explore how a well-crafted pricing approach balances customer perception with business objectives, creating a powerful tool for securing both competitive advantage a

article thumbnail

Hy-Vee Launches RedMedia Omnichannel Retail Media Network

Retail Wire

Hy-Vee has unveiled its full-scale retail media network, Hy-Vee RedMedia, aiming to connect brands directly with its customer base across online and in-store platforms. This network, showcased at the Groceryshop 2023 conference, blends first-party customer data with insights from leading advertising firms for more targeted marketing. The company, operating across various industries, believes its diverse.

article thumbnail

Dobbies grows line-up of retail experts in Northern Ireland through partnership with Workforce, and Antrim and Newtonabbey Council

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, is growing its line up of retail experts in Northern Ireland through a new partnership with Workforce, and Antrim and Newtonabbey Council. The news comes ahead of the opening of Dobbies new 110,000 sq ft store at The Junction on 5 October 2023 which will be the biggest in its […] If you want more in

ATS 98
article thumbnail

Goodyear Tire To Cut 700 Jobs, Sell Retail Stores in Asia Pacific

Retail Wire

Goodyear Tire & Rubber has revealed plans to cut 700 jobs and divest approximately 100 retail stores and fleet locations as part of a rationalization initiative in its Asia Pacific segment. This move is projected to enhance the segment’s operating income by about $50 to $55 million in 2025, with a concurrent improvement in profitability.

Location 100
article thumbnail

The Weekly Closeout: True Religion expands internationally and The Container Store’s CEO takes a pay cut

Retail Dive

The apparel retailer will soon have 26 markets outside of the U.S., while Satish Malhotra temporarily reduced his salary to offset employee pay raises.

Apparel 109
article thumbnail

A Blueprint for B2B Commerce

In the B2B space, digital expectations are higher than ever. Consumer platforms have made online experiences incredibly user-friendly and efficient, adding pressure for businesses to follow suit to meet the expectations of the modern B2B buyer. Take inspiration from B2C commerce strategies and adapt them for B2B digital interactions. Learn to create engaging and well-crafted consumer shopping experiences with insights and tools from Orium’s report, A Blueprint to B2B Commerce.

article thumbnail

Americans Are Cheaping Out Big Time on Restaurant Tips. Here Are the States With the Worst and Best Tippers.

Retail Wire

Restaurant tipping rates in the U.S. have declined, averaging 18.9% in the second quarter of 2023, down from 19% in the first quarter, according to a report by restaurant software company Toast. Delaware leads with the highest tipping rate at 21.5%, while California has the lowest at 17.4%.

ATS 100
article thumbnail

Target releases first private label kitchen brand, Figmint

Retail Dive

Over half of the items are under $10, as the retailer continues to broaden its assortment to include more affordable price points.

126
126
article thumbnail

TikTok Announces Black Friday Discounts. Here’s What It Means for E-Commerce Brands

Retail Wire

TikTok is set to subsidize discounts of up to 50% for sellers on its newly launched TikTok Shop, a move aimed at gaining traction with U.S. shoppers during the holiday season. This signals increased competition for brands like Amazon, Walmart, Facebook, and Instagram. With last year’s Black Friday and Cyber Monday seeing U.S. shoppers spend.

Shopping 100
article thumbnail

Small businesses embrace digital payments

Retail Dive

Small business owners envision a cashless future, according to Visa, even as some legislators move to protect unbanked and underbanked consumers.

Consumer 116
article thumbnail

Loyalty 101: How To Turn Browsers Into Buyers For Lasting Engagement

Speaker: Shaunna Bruton, Danielle Wyllie, and Kailey Holmes

Say goodbye to one-size-fits-all retail, and say hello to experiences that keep your customers coming back for more! Customer loyalty isn’t just earned - it’s cultivated through meaningful engagement with the help of data. This webinar will take you behind the scenes of how top retailers turn customer data into personalized experiences that drive engagement and retention.

article thumbnail

Amazon Drops Planned Merchant Fee as FTC Lawsuit Looms

Retail Wire

Amazon has decided to cancel a planned 2% fee on sales made by third-party sellers who handle their own shipping, a move that signifies the company’s cautious approach amid increasing antitrust scrutiny. This fee, originally set to be implemented on Oct. 1, was aimed at offsetting rising costs for Amazon. The decision comes at a.

Planning 100
article thumbnail

UK consumer confidence soars to highest point in 20 months

Retail Gazette

Consumer confidence across the UK has climbed to its highest point since January 2022, rising for the second consecutive month in September. The consumer confidence index increased by four points to -21 this month. The value has exceeded the record low of -49 during the same time last year, according to market research company GfK. The rise was aided by easing inflation rates and strong wage growth.

article thumbnail

Dollar General Is in a ‘Really Bad Situation,’ and Investors Should Stay Away, Jim Cramer Says

Retail Wire

Jim Cramer, a prominent financial commentator, has advised investors to steer clear of Dollar General stock following JPMorgan’s unusual downgrade of the retailer from hold to sell. This downgrade, which was prompted by a meeting with Dollar General’s CFO, highlighted financial challenges for the company’s core low-end consumer base.

Consumer 100
article thumbnail

Purple taps Party City vet as CFO

Retail Dive

Todd Vogensen on Oct. 16 will take over from interim CFO Bennett Nussbaum, who will become the company’s chief transformation officer.

109
109
article thumbnail

How to Navigate Revenue and Expense Management: Competitive Insights for Financial Success

Speaker: Hilary Akhaabi, PhD - Founder, Chief Financial & Operations Officer at Go Africa Global

In the fast-paced world of corporate finance, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for sustainable growth and profitability. This exclusive webinar with leading expert Hilary Akhaabi, PhD, will teach you practical ways to navigate complex financial landscapes and enhance your company's revenue management capabilities. Whether you're aiming to refine your financial strategies or seeking innovative solutions to drive performance, this new session is for you!

article thumbnail

A Taco Chain Made Servers Share Their Tips With Kitchen Staff and Other Workers, the Labor Department Says. It Could Be Ordered To Pay Staff $823,000.

Retail Wire

The Department of Labor (DOL) has filed a lawsuit against three Barrio Tacos locations in Michigan, alleging that they enforced an “invalid” tip pool system where staff had to share their tips with non-tipped employees, including kitchen staff. This practice made the restaurants ineligible for a tip credit, resulting in servers’ and bartenders’ wages falling.

Location 100
article thumbnail

Currys kicks off seasonal recruitment drive with over 1000 roles available

Retail Gazette

Currys is set to create over 1,100 new roles during this year’s peak trading period as it looks to shore up the business through the busiest time of the year, the period leading up to Black Friday through to the January sales. 720 temporary roles have been made available across the electrical retailer’s 285 UK and 16 ROI stores. The roles are largely made up of sales & support roles, offering external as well as internal applicants the opportunity to work directly with customers on the shop

article thumbnail

Disney’s Best-Selling Line of Toys in Asia Is a Fluffy Bear You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Retail Wire

Disney’s Duffy and Friends franchise, featuring a fluffy bear introduced in 2002, has become the highest-selling line in Disney’s Asian parks, generating $500 million in revenue this year. This includes sales from Shanghai Disney Resort, Hong Kong Disneyland, and the Tokyo Disney Resort in Japan. While Duffy may not be as prominent in the U.S.

100
100
article thumbnail

Redken launches DTC website

Retail Dive

While products have been available for sale in local salons, Amazon and Ulta, the site allows consumers to buy items directly from the brand online.

Consumer 112
article thumbnail

Optimizing Frontend Delivery in Composable Commerce: The Buy vs Build Decision