Mon.Jun 16, 2025

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DigiDirect buys Mwave after parent collapses

Inside Retail

The DigiDirect Group has acquired online technology retailer Mwave after the latter’s parent company, Esel, entered voluntary administration. Founded in 2006, Mwave has become one of the major players in the consumer technology arena. The business is best known for its large range of PC and gaming hardware and accessories. As part of the acquisition, the company will move its operations from its current headquarters in Lidcombe, Western Sydney, to DigiDirect’s headquarters in South Strathfield.

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Ensuring Supply Chain Due Diligence: Practical Steps for Preventing Human Rights Abuses

Retail TouchPoints

Since the enforcement of the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) began in 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has significantly increased its scrutiny of imports. So far, more than 15,000 shipments have been detained under the UFLPA, with a cumulative value nearing $4 billion. Importantly, enforcement isn’t limited to textiles; rather, it spans categories including electronics, automotive parts, solar panels and aluminum.

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Clarks finds a new Australian distributor

Inside Retail

Melbourne-based The Shoe Group has signed a deal with Clarks to distribute the footwear brand’s products across Australia starting next year. Founded in 1825 and based in Somerset, England, Clarks is known for its craftsmanship, iconic designs, and the comfort and quality of its footwear products. The new partnership comes as Brand Collective announced it will not renew the Clarks footwear license in Australia and New Zealand next year to focus on other brands.

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Albertsons Media Aims to Enhance In-Store Measurement with Launch of Digital Display Networks

Retail TouchPoints

This summer, Albertsons Media Collective will deploy in-store digital display networks in stores located in two regions that are key for the supermarket giant. The large-format premium displays, designed to increase customer engagement at the point of decision, will be placed in high-traffic areas such as store entry and the produce department, and Mondelēz will be the kickoff brand partner.

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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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Is General Pants Co next on Alquemie Group’s chopping block? Experts weigh in

Inside Retail

Industry experts are keeping a close eye on the future of fashion retailer General Pants Co, after its owner, Alquemie Group, closed or sold three other retail brands in its portfolio in as many weeks. In early June, Alquemie Group confirmed the closure of National Geographic Stores in the ANZ market, less than two years after launching the business in partnership with The Walt Disney Corporation, which owns the National Geographic brand.

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Williamsburg’s the Spot for Third NYC-Area Nordstrom ‘Local’ Store

Retail TouchPoints

Nordstrom will open its third Nordstrom Local store in the New York City area later this month, debuting a 3,000-square-foot neighborhood service hub in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. The location will serve as a pickup and returns point for online Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack orders and will accept donations of used clothing and beauty packaging, the latter through the Nordstrom Beautycycle program.

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Hispanic Supermarket Sedano’s Deploys Pricing and Promotions Solution

Retail TouchPoints

Sedano’s Supermarkets , a grocer based in southeastern Florida, will adopt a unified pricing and promotions solution from Relex Solutions. The deployment will help Sedano’s, which operates 32 stores, to transition from manual pricing processes to AI-powered analytics, enabling more targeted promotions tailored to the retailer’s diverse customer base.

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Bata CEO Sandeep Kataria to exit role

Inside Retail

Bata CEO Sandeep Kataria will step down from his role in September to pursue new opportunities, with Panos Mytaros appointed as the company’s new Global CEO, effective the same month. Kataria – who joined the Switzerland-based footwear company in 2020 – was the first Indian to lead the 130-year-old brand. During his tenure, Kataria helped modernise Bata’s global operations.

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Ready for take off: St James Quarter welcomes upsized Breitling store

Retail Focus

St James Quarter has announced that luxury Swiss watchmaker, Breitling, has opened its significantly upsized store at the leading destination. The new c.1,000 sq ft store is the latest brand to reinvest in the destination, increasing its offer and physical footprint to meet ever-growing consumer demand. Expanding in size by over 100% to c.1,000 sq ft, the new Breitling showcases an even more extensive selection of iconic timepieces from the global watchmaker.

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How 6G Will Transform the Retail Industry

365 Retail

While the capabilities of 5G are still being fully explored, attention is already turning to what the future of connectivity will look like. 6G is coming, and it’s set to revolutionise the retail industry. 5G has laid the foundation for seamless personalised connectivity, but 6G will take this a step further. It boasts faster speeds, near-zero latency, supports enhanced AI integration and is being developed with the purpose of supporting future technologies.

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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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Why Beauty Retailers Are Missing the Mark with Their Most Valuable Customers

VMS

There’s a growing gap in beauty retail that most brands don’t see coming. While retailers pour millions into the latest tech initiatives and digital innovations, their customers have quietly evolved into something entirely different. The result? A disconnect that’s costing brands significant market share and customer loyalty. Beauty retail isn’t broken, but it’s definitely out of sync.

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Stray Kids’ Felix signs up as Gong Cha global ambassador

Inside Retail

Taiwanese bubble tea brand Gong Cha has welcomed Felix, a member of the South Korean band Stray Kids, as its global brand ambassador. A brand campaign featuring Felix will roll out in Korea this June, followed by its US launch. Felix’s personal experience with the brand and his love for bubble tea position him to introduce the brand to his audience, the tea label said.

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Poundland to pause rent payments at hundreds of stores

Retail Gazette

Poundland will pause rent payments on hundreds of its stores if its restructuring plan is approved by creditors. The struggling discount chain, which was acquired last week by US investor Gordon Brothers, is proposing to switch to paying zero rent on 250 of what it classes as Category C sites across the country, Sky News reported. The retailer will have the right to terminate leases with 30 days’ notice at 70 of its loss-making shops – classed as Category 2 – and 60 days’ notice at roughly 180 m

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At Home Files Bankruptcy

VMS

At Home Group Inc. (Coppell, Texas) announced it has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy, one of several steps designed “to strengthen its financial foundation and position the business for long-term success while continuing to serve its customers,” the retailer said in a news release. The company has entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement with major to eliminate substantially all of the company’s nearly $2 billion in funded debt and provide a capital infusion of $200 million to support the c

ATS 92
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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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TM Lewin plots store expansion as office wear revival continues

Retail Gazette

TM Lewin is pressing ahead with plans to rebuild its store estate following a revival in demand for office wear, as workers continue returning to city centres. The heritage shirtmaker , which collapsed into administration during the pandemic and again in 2022 , recently opened a new store on Bow Lane in the City of London and is now eyeing further sites across London, Manchester and Edinburgh, the Times reported.

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Estee Lauder chairman passes away at 92

Inside Retail

Estee Lauder ’s former chairman, Leonard A Lauder, has passed away at the age of 92. “While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate his extraordinary life, his lasting contributions, and the values he instilled in all of us: integrity, curiosity, and the importance of giving back,” said Gary M Lauder, son and member of the board of directors of Estee Lauder. “He will be missed more than words can express.” Lauder, the oldest son of Estee and Joseph H Lauder, joined the family busines

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Shein hit with lawsuit over tax loophole

Retail Gazette

Shein has been accused of committing customs and VAT fraud when delivering parcels from China to UK customers. The online fashion giant has been hit with a High Court lawsuit over claims of “manipulating customs declarations for VAT evasion”, The Telegraph reported. Customs agent IT Way Transgroup Clearance, which lodged the claim alongside Orange Transgroup, says it acted as an agent for Shein between 2021 and 2024.

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Costco Plans First Standalone Gas Station

VMS

The battle for consumers’ refueling dollars is heating up. The latest salvo comes from Costco Wholesale Corp. (Issaquah, Wash.), which is planning its first standalone gas station, report a variety of news sources, including C-Store Dive. The big-box giant is expected to begin building the fuel-only site in Mission Viejo, Calif., this fall, with an opening set for the following spring.

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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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John Lewis’ great grandson exits Oak Furnitureland over hybrid working

Retail Gazette

John Lewis’ great grandson Patrick Lewis has stepped down from Oak Furnitureland less than a year into his position due to its hybrid working policy. Lewis resigned as the company’s chief financial officer this month, after joining Oak Furnitureland in July. The furniture retailer required workers to work from its Swindon-based head office three days per week.

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Understanding Amazon Statistics: Insights for Sellers and Marketers

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Amazon’s Market Share Dominance: Amazon holds approximately 38% of the U.S. e-commerce market, emphasizing its status as the leading online marketplace and highlighting the competitive landscape for small businesses. Robust Sales Growth: In 2023, Amazon’s net revenue reached $554.02 billion, showcasing a consistent upward trajectory in sales, which is projected to continue increasing in the coming years.

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Britain’s biggest retailers face £600m surge to business rates bill

Retail Gazette

Britain’s biggest supermarkets and West End stores face a £600m surge in property taxes next year due to the Government’s reform of business rates. The new system, which come into effect from April 2026, will impact larger stores valued over £500,000, according to research by property agents Colliers for The Times. The reforms will reduce the business rates multiplier for smaller retail, hospitality and leisure sites from next year.

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Create Website Popup That Engages Visitors and Boosts Conversions

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Understanding Popups: Website popups are interactive elements designed to capture users’ attention, promote special offers, or facilitate email subscriptions without disrupting the browsing experience. Types of Popups: Various popup types such as email subscription, promotional, exit-intent, survey, and lead generation serve distinct purposes, enhancing user engagement and conversions.

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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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John Lewis poaches M&S marketing boss

Retail Gazette

John Lewis has appointed M&S’ former marketing director Anna Braithwaite as its new chief customer officer. Braithwaite will join the department store chain on 1 October following the completion on a non-compete period, The Times reported. She will oversee the retailer’s marketing and customer experience across all of its channels, as well as be tasked with reviving the brand’s core promise of quality, value and service.

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High Street, High Stakes: Why Immersive Physical Experiences Are Key to Unlocking Retail Success

365 Retail

H&M. New Look. Zara. All icons of the high street. All youth-oriented brands that pride themselves on forward thinking design and affordability. All preparing to welcome a fellow heritage brand back into the fold, albeit in a slightly different guise. Five years after closing its doors, Topshop is making a highly-anticipated return. From its humble beginnings in 1964 and its heyday years under Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group, to going into administration in 2020 and its subsequent purchase

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Sainsbury’s ‘supercharges’ retail media business with new platform

Retail Gazette

Sainsbury’s is set to launch a new unified retail media platform later this year, which it claims will revolutionise how brands and agencies run omnichannel retail media campaigns at scale. The grocer’s platform was built in-house by the supermarket chain and Nectar360 alongside partner brands and agencies. The supermarket chain said it will harness customer insights and AI to deliver audience insights, media planning and activation, optimisation and measurement into one single portal.

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PURESEOUL Opens Flagship on Carnaby Street

365 Retail

Korean beauty retailer PURESEOUL has opened its new flagship store in London’s Carnaby Street, establishing a major physical presence in one of the city’s most recognised shopping destinations. The two-storey space is the brand’s eighth store and signals a significant moment for the UK’s growing K-Beauty sector. Situated in the heart of the West End, the flagship offers more than 2,000 products from over 60 Korean brands.

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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.

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Asda invests £10m to revamp over 180 in-store cafés

Retail Gazette

Asda is set to invest £10m into upgrading more than 180 of its in-store cafés as part of a major refresh project. The revamp, which will be delivered by the supermarket’ s café partner Compass Group, aims to give the spaces a more relaxed “coffee shop vibe”. Upgrades will include new interiors, the introduction of digital ordering screens and a table service offering, which will sit alongside traditional manned tills.

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Crocs to Open New Store at London Designer Outlet

365 Retail

London Designer Outlet has announced that global footwear brand Crocs will open a new 1,456 sq ft store later this year, further expanding the fashion and lifestyle offering at the Wembley-based outlet destination. The brand has signed a five-year lease, adding to the line-up of recent arrivals including French Connection, Rituals, and MINISO. The store will carry Crocs’ extensive product range for adults and children, featuring its signature clogs, sandals, and other popular styles.

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Mastering Wix Lightbox: Enhance Your Website’s Visual Appeal

Small Biz Trends

Key Takeaways Enhance User Experience: Wix Lightbox creates engaging pop-up windows that capture attention without disrupting website flow, making it ideal for showcasing announcements or collecting emails. Customizable Designs: Tailor your lightboxes to match your brand identity with options for colors, fonts, and animations, ensuring a visually appealing presentation.

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Sephora to Open Second Manchester Store at Arndale

365 Retail

Sephora UK has confirmed that it will open a second store in Manchester on 1 August 2025, this time located at the Arndale Centre , marking its 10th location nationwide. The opening follows the retailer’s first Manchester branch at The Trafford Centre, which launched in 2024. The 4,618 sq ft store will be positioned in the heart of the city, aiming to serve shoppers across the city centre including students, professionals, and tourists.

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SEO vs. PPC: Which Strategy Is Best for Your Business?

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.