This site uses cookies to improve your experience. To help us insure we adhere to various privacy regulations, please select your country/region of residence. If you do not select a country, we will assume you are from the United States. Select your Cookie Settings or view our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Used for the proper function of the website
Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Cookie Settings
Cookies and similar technologies are used on this website for proper function of the website, for tracking performance analytics and for marketing purposes. We and some of our third-party providers may use cookie data for various purposes. Please review the cookie settings below and choose your preference.
Strictly Necessary: Used for the proper function of the website
Performance/Analytics: Used for monitoring website traffic and interactions
Just six months ago, the idea of a business seriously incorporating Agentic AI into its operations would likely have been dismissed as premature. While generative tools, predictive analytics and conversational AI have all advanced rapidly, the notion of software agents autonomously breaking down and executing human workflows remained largely theoretical.
If there were a buzzword to capture the last twelve months in the retail industry, it would be customer experience (CX). The term neatly summarises a customers impression of a brand based on their interactions with a brand from first contact to post-purchase follow-up. A retailer’s CX maturity the ability to consistently deliver a high-quality, engaging and personalised experience across all touchpoints is made more complicated by the rising demand for a unified shopping experience that
In August 2024 , CVS Health identified a multi-year opportunity to deliver $2 billion in savings via a variety of methods, and one of those methods will be closing a total of 271 physical stores in 2025, according to the pharmacy retailers 2024 Annual Report. These closures are in addition to the 900 stores CVS shuttered between November 2021 and December 2024; the retailer still operates more than 9,000 locations.
About 145 Monro Muffler stores are closing. After a recent period of declining sales, the automotive service company decided it would be best to shutter its underperforming stores. It has not yet been announced which stores are on the closing list. Across 32 states, there are currently 1,260 locations owned by the company and 48 franchised stores. Monro recently conducted a comprehensive review of its store portfolio, the company stated in a press release obtained by WBNG 12 News.
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.
Over the next few weeks, PayPal will roll out physical payment cards to eligible U.S. PayPal Credit customers, adding a tangible way for consumers to pay for in-store purchases. The cards, issued by Synchrony , expand on PayPal Credits digital offering and will be usable everywhere that Mastercard is accepted. Eligible existing PayPal Credit customers will be notified about their card upgrade during the coming weeks.
St James Quarter has announced that three market-leading F&B brands have invested in the prime destination. itsu, the popular healthy fast-food restaurant, has re-opened at the destination, and will be joined by Black Sheep Coffee and Pret A Manger. itsu has relaunched as a company-run restaurant, the site having previously been a franchisee. Trading from 2,000 sq ft, itsu will offer its signature sushi, rice and noodle bowls, and range of Asian salads and snacks from its location on Regist
Uncertainty about the ultimate fate of TikTok has been somewhat lost among the clouds surrounding other T things (tariffs and trade deals), but a lot of retail marketers will be very unhappy if some kind of solution isnt eventually found. Thats because TikTok has become not only an important top-of-funnel feeder but also a source of conversions at the bottom of funnel, particularly via TikTok Shop and its livestreaming capabilities.
Uncertainty about the ultimate fate of TikTok has been somewhat lost among the clouds surrounding other T things (tariffs and trade deals), but a lot of retail marketers will be very unhappy if some kind of solution isnt eventually found. Thats because TikTok has become not only an important top-of-funnel feeder but also a source of conversions at the bottom of funnel, particularly via TikTok Shop and its livestreaming capabilities.
Investors holding Dollar General certainly had something to celebrate today following the company’s most recent Q1 2025 earnings report, as outlined via a June 3 press release. The report checked most boxes in terms of important fiscal metrics: net sales moved upward by 5.3% to $10.4 billion, same-store sales ticked up by 2.4%, operating profit improved 5.5% to $576.1 million, diluted earnings per share (EPS) increased 7.9% to $1.78, and cash flows tied to operations moved upward by 27.6%
Despite shaky economic conditions that have caused a void in other real estate sectors, retail remains strong, with a historically low vacancy rate of 4.1%. Within that crunch for space, grocery brands, such as Aldi which plans to open 800 new stores by 2028 stand out from the pack with their high growth trajectory and low closure rate. However, they need somewhere to go within a retail landscape that is short on new investments and development.
What do retailers and brands like The Travel Agency, Sundae School and Edie Parker have in common with one another? They all reflect larger changes taking place within the US legal cannabis retail industry, which is projected to grow 41.4 per cent in the next five years, from US$31.4 billion in 2024 to US$44.4 billion in 2029. In a report dubbed From prohibition to participation: Measuring the impact of cannabis and psychedelic mushroom legalisation on consumer spending, Coresight Researchs seni
Dunkin’ is getting ready for the summer with some unique, fun flavors. Recently, the popular coffee chain’s summer menu was leaked, and fans are in for a treat. Let’s take a look at what we know about this leak so far. The Leaked Dunkin’ Summer Menu According to Food & Wine , the It Girl-approved Pink Spritz was just announced by Dunkin’, but more products might be coming soon for your next drive-thru coffee run.
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.
When half of South Koreas retail activity happens online, the old rules of selling no longer apply for one of Asias largest retail conglomerates, Lotte. One of the big differences for South Korea is that we went digital better, faster and more extensively than any other country. This enabled a very different kind of online experience compared to other places, Samuel Sanghyun Kim, vice chairman and group CEO of Lottes retail division, shared at the National Retail Federations (NRF) Big Show Asia
Despite worries surrounding the American economy and the impending tariffs , one study suggests that spending for this Fathers Day will break a record. The National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics are predicting that spending will reach a record $24 billion in 2025. NRF Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights Katherine Cullen said in a press release , Americans are embracing meaningful traditions and holidays, and this Fathers Day, spending on gifts and other holi
Newbie , the sustainable lifestyle brand within the Swedish fashion group Kappahl Group , is excited to announce a brand-new store opening in Windsor, UK on Thursday, 5th June 2025. With timeless design and a nostalgic style, Newbie offers carefully crafted clothing for babies, children, and women always made with love and care. The brand continues its expansion in the UK with further store openings in strategic locations across London and the UK later this year.
Trader Joe’s has just released an untraditional new grocery item, leaving some customers “suspicious” after seeing the product on social media. The supermarket chain recently introduced a new limited-time addition to its ready-to-eat meal lineup: a meatball calzone. Priced at $6.99 for 16 ounces, this Italian-inspired item is hearty enough to serve two adults, though one very hungry person could easily finish it solo.
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.
Braintree Village has announced that its brand-new Crocs store will open its doors this Friday, 6 th June. The store at the Essex-based outlet will be the first Crocs store in the region and the fourth Crocs outlet store in the country. The 1,369 sq ft unit will be located between Barbour and White Stuff. To celebrate the stores opening, there will be an array of offers for a limited time, including a free pack of Jibbitz charms with each purchase over 55 and an additional 20% off of the outlet
Starbucks is set to introduce four new beverage items in mid-summer, rounding out the warmer months with a series of exciting sips and the return of a beloved dessert. Reputable food blogger Markie Devo shared the news on Instagram , revealing that the new products will drop the first week of July. This quartet of cold drinks will hit the spot during summer’s heat.
John Lewis has vowed to bring back its staff bonus “as soon as possible” following a staff campaign. The retailer , which also owns Waitrose, has not paid a bonus to workers since 2022 as it has been focussed on turning the business around after three years of losses. A John Lewis and Waitrose spokesperson said: “Our bonus remains an important feature of our employee ownership model, and we’ve publicly stated that we are determined to pay one as soon as possible. “W
Dollar General Corp. (Goodlettsville, Tenn.) continues to expand at breakneck speed, with plans to add 575 stores this year. The brand, which calls itself “America’s neighborhood general store,” unveiled that number in the news release on its strong first quarter fiscal results for the period ended May 2. (For that period, its net sales increased 5.3%, to $10.4 billion, and its operating profit rose 5.5%, to $576.1 million.
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.
Costco offers a variety of popular ancillary services for its members, including a gas station with competitive prices. Now, however, the warehouse club is looking to make these services even more enticing. According to Men’s Journal , Costco has extended its members-only gas station hours until 10 p.m. nationwide, and certain locations are also opening earlier in the day.
St James Quarter has announced that three market-leading F&B brands have invested in the prime destination.itsu, the popular healthy fast-food restaurant, has reopened at the destination, and will be joined byBlack Sheep CoffeeandPret A Manger. itsu has relaunched as a company-run restaurant, the site having previously been a franchisee.Trading from 2,000 sq ft, itsu will offer its signature sushi, rice and noodle bowls, and range of Asian salads and snacks from its location on Register Squa
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
Today, Cisco is excited to add a new partner to our portfolio Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE). Our new multi-year collaboration will encompass the entire Monumental enterprise, including the NBAs Washington Wizards, NHLs Washington Capitals, WNBAs Washington Mystics, Monumental Sports Network (MNMT), and Capital One Arena. This new partnership will be an incredible platform for both our brands highlighting what becomes possible on the strength of Ciscos AI-ready technology.
M&S is staging in-store recruitment open days to fill vacant staff positions while its online portal is unable to take applications. The retailer paused its online recruitment last month following a ransomware attack on its systems in April. M&S expects online disruption to last until early July while it reboots its programs. Related Story M&S CEO bags 7.1m pay packet 02/06/2025 x 12:20 PM The retailer’s stores have posted on Facebook to promote walk-in open days for multiple
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.
In todays competitive retail landscape, pricing is more than just a numbers game, its a strategic lever. For one global athletic footwear and apparel retailer, tapping into the right data at the right time unlocked major wins, including an 8,000-unit sales surge in just two weeks. The Challenge: Disconnected Omnichannel Pricing in a Global Business With operations spanning North America, EMEA, and APAC, this retailer was grappling with a fragmented pricing approach.
Why do customers go back to the companies they love doing business with? Thats what we asked more than 1,000 customers in our annual customer experience research , and here are some of the top reasons: Employees who are helpful and knowledgeable A friendly experience (thanks to employees) A convenient and easy experience A personalized experience Employees who show empathy Customers can decide to return based on any one or a combination of these experiences,or anything else they deem to be
Two pioneers in the discount retailing sector have passed away in recent months. They are both pre-deceased by their respective spouses, who also co-founded the businesses in question. Recently deceased are: Roslyn Jaffe, who co-founded Dressbarn (Mahwah, N.J.), and Monroe Milstein, co-founder of Burlington Coat Factory (Burlington, N.J.) Here’s an excerpt from Jaffee’s obituary by The New York Times as it appears on Legacy.com : “Determined to pursue higher education at a time when few women di
The Liberty Romford, the shopping centre owned and operated by Redical , has announced that retro clothing retailer,80s Casual Classics,has signed to open its first store in the South this summer, marking the brands fifth location and contributing to the destinations ongoing retail transformation. Spanning 2,340 sq ft,80s Casual Classicsnew flagship store will showcase 70s, 80s, and 90s-inspired apparel from nostalgic heritage brands, including Sergio Tacchini, Fila Vintage, Ellesse, Adidas Orig
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.
We organize all of the trending information in your field so you don't have to. Join 40,000+ users and stay up to date on the latest articles your peers are reading.
You know about us, now we want to get to know you!
Let's personalize your content
Let's get even more personalized
We recognize your account from another site in our network, please click 'Send Email' below to continue with verifying your account and setting a password.
Let's personalize your content