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How AI is redefining the retail experience Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the day-to-day work of retail professionals in a range of roles. While the potential behind the technology is significant, AI is a polarising subject. Some believe it will transform our lives and be the key to the future of retail. The extreme counterpoint is that AI could take over the world in a matrix-style machine coup.
August’s overall retail sales in the U.S. showed continuing resilience, with actual growth of 0.6% after economists polled by Reuters had predicted just 0.2% growth. However, the overall data masks some key data points that may be of concern to retailers, including data showing declines in discretionary categories such as furniture (-1.0%) and sporting goods (-1.6%).
Window shopping is about to get a whole lot more exciting, with Australian designer fashion brand Oroton launching augmented reality try-on mirrors across the window displays of its stores in Sydney’s Queen Victoria Building and Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall. The AR displays, which come from fashion tech company Zero10, give customers the opportunity to virtually try on items from Oroton’s new collection.
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.
Meta and Amazon have quietly debuted a new closed-loop social commerce experience that allows Facebook and Instagram users to link their social media accounts to Amazon so they can make purchases directly in-platform. The news was reported by multiple sources , including Disruptive Digital ’s Maurice Rahmey, who shared images of the new shopping experience on LinkedIn.
Toys “R” Us will open its second mall-based flagship store on Nov. 17 at Minnesota’s Mall of America, just in time for the holiday season. The 11,000-square-foot store is the latest addition to the retailer’s growing U.S. brick-and-mortar fleet, which also includes another flagship in New Jersey’s American Dream mall , as well as 452 shop-in-shops at Macy’s stores across the country.
Toys “R” Us will open its second mall-based flagship store on Nov. 17 at Minnesota’s Mall of America, just in time for the holiday season. The 11,000-square-foot store is the latest addition to the retailer’s growing U.S. brick-and-mortar fleet, which also includes another flagship in New Jersey’s American Dream mall , as well as 452 shop-in-shops at Macy’s stores across the country.
Campaign corner Must be. Jameson Irish Whiskey, renowned for its exceptionally smooth taste and belonging to a widely recognized family, introduces its latest worldwide campaign titled " Must be a Jameson." Narrated by Irish actor Cillian Murphy and directed by the two-time Oscar-nominated writer-director Bryan Buckley, the campaign celebrates the enduring qualities that have distinguished the brand since its establishment in 1780—perpetually welcoming and unfailingly smooth.
Brooklinen was a direct-to-consumer darling that promised consumers high-quality sheets at great prices. By eliminating supply chain complexities and “cutting out the middlemen,” Brooklinen was able to streamline the product development journey and fully immerse consumers in the ethos and values of the brand. While the core product value proposition is still very much intact, like many other brands that started solely online, Brooklinen’s growth story has evolved.
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) will cut 267 jobs — 5% of its corporate workforce — in a move to “streamline our operations and focus on our critical priorities,” according to a Walgreens spokesperson, who noted that “none of these roles are based at our stores.” These latest cuts follow a 10% reduction in Walgreens’ corporate workforce in May 2023. By any measure, the retailer has been having a difficult year: In May 2023 Walgreens agreed to a $230 billion settlement with the city of San Francis
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
Shein has partnered with designer Alice McCall to launch its first Australian capsule collection. The Shein x Alice McCall collection features textiles sourced through Shein’s partnership with Queen of Raw, a global circular economy technology company whose flagship software, Materia MX, specialises in solving excess inventory issues in the supply chain for the world’s Fortune 500.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) and CNBC have teamed up to launch a new retail sales tracker, the CNBC/ NRF Retail Monitor. The new tracker aims to offer more accurate and timely insights by using actual, real-time debit and credit card purchase data from Affinity Solutions , which compiles data from more than 140 million credit and debit cards and nearly 9 billion transactions annually.
American big-box retail giant Walmart recently reopened 117 remodeled stores, marking the chain’s largest single day of rollouts since it first opened in 1962. The endeavour cost over US$500 million dollars and saw Walmart implement a number of upgrades, including updated interiors with new paint and flooring, renovated bathrooms, LED lighting, and new signage to make it easier for shoppers to navigate stores.
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.
Award-winning independent ready-to-drink cocktail brand, Kocktail , has opened its first concessions in three John Lewis stores. The openings mark the brands first-ever physical presence in a department store and the first activation of its kind for Kocktail. Customers at John Lewis Cheadle , Cribbs Causeway and Kocktail’s hometown store of Newcastle will all be able to experience the sleek and sophisticated shopping experience.
Leveraging the potential of store associates to become product advocates opens up a new dimension for retailers to connect with their customers organically. Associates, well-versed with the store’s offerings and ethos, can truly embody the brand and foster a genuine connection with the customers. Training and incentives can encourage associates to adopt this role of brand ambassadors.
As Thanksgiving approaches, America is set to witness a resurgence in holiday travel, with over 55 million people expected to journey 50 miles or more.
Perspex Distribution is proud to celebrate a significant milestone in its history – 20 years of industry-leading service and innovation. Perspex Distribution opened its first branch in Chelmsford, Essex, in October 2003, since then it has successfully expanded its product range and branch locations, successfully catering to a diverse range of UK industries, from signage and print, to construction and precision fabrication.
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.
Production laborers at Ford's Louisville assembly and Kentucky truck facilities affiliated with the UAW Union have voiced dissent against a proposed contract.
Despite facing significant cost-of-living pressures, Australians are expected to ramp up their spending ahead of the Christmas season. The Australian Retailers Association (ARA), in conjunction with Roy Morgan, forecasted $66.8 billion in spending from November to December 24 this year, up 0.1 per cent on the previous year. According to ARA boss Paul Zahra, much of this spending is set to be bargain-driven, as consumers seek savings where possible.
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.
Sports apparel retailer Puma has appointed Daniel Pustina as the GM of its Oceania business, effective January 2 next year. Pustina will succeed Daniel Gutstein, who is stepping down from his position at the end of December. “This is an incredible opportunity to join the Oceania team, working in an area that has such a passionate sport following and culture.
As Thanksgiving approaches, America is set to witness a resurgence in holiday travel, with over 55 million people expected to journey 50 miles or more.
In a remarkable rebound from Covid-19, the luxury food-service sector has emerged as the fastest-recovering segment within the Asia-Pacific luxury market. According to the latest report by Euromonitor International, this sector experienced an unprecedented growth rate of 51.1 per cent from 2021 to 2022, reflecting a profound shift in consumer preferences towards luxury experiences that offer both indulgence and novelty.
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.
Arguably, employee loyalty is as valuable and sought after as skills and experience. No executive can deny the depth of appreciation held for loyal employees – reliable, dependable, tried and tested, there through thick and thin. Loyalty is the soft skill set. It is truffle-like in its rare and exquisite desirability and equally difficult to find. Employee loyalty is great for business.
Danish design studio Spacon & X has carved a cave out of cardboard and installed a bare tree in the Lynk & Co car showroom in Düsseldorf, Germany. The studio aimed for the 400-square-metre space to have more of an impact than the cars on show. A mesh curtain separates the car from the rest of the showroom "The overall design is in intentional contrast to your average car dealership, with the spatial design as a louder experience than the actual product – the car," Spacon & X founding
Employees account for 40% of the value of theft across UK retailers, according to research from Retail Economics and Thruvision. Staff working in distribution centres distribution and stores are responsible for the loss of £3.2bn. The value of theft is forecast to cost UK retailers £7.9bn this year in total, the economic consultancy reports. The report revealed nearly 43% of total employee theft comes from distribution centres, and two thirds of retailers interviewed thought over the past decade
When it comes to driving traffic and growing your online presence, businesses often ask: SEO or PPC—what’s the better choice? This guide breaks down the key differences between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases. Whether you’re looking for long-term organic growth or immediate visibility through paid ads, we’ll help you determine which strategy—or combination of both—is right for your business.
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