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
Freedom Furniture is a well-known Australian homewares retailer thats been operating since 1981 and now has 47 stores across the country. But the merchant was suffering from a bit of an image problem that made it seem fusty and old-fashioned, a situation that led to a companywide turnaround plan initiated in 2020. In the words of Paula Mitchell, Digital General Manager, We wanted consumers to think of Freedom not as your mums brand but as your best friends brand.
Australians are expected to spend a record $535 million on Valentine’s Day presents for their loved ones this year. According to the Australian Retailers Association, 3.8 million Australians intend to buy gifts for their special people this year, spending $70 million (up to 15 per cent) on last year. This marks the first time that Valentine’s Day spending has exceeded $500 million.
1-800-Flowers.com is collaborating with Uber Direct Ubers white label delivery service for merchants to help florists meet demand during one of their busiest periods of the year (and a day when many panicked Romeos and Juliets buy flowers at the last minute) Valentines Day. The more than 1,000 local florists in the 1-800-Flowers.com network, BloomNet , can dynamically dispatch, track and fulfill same-day floral deliveries using Uber Direct even as demand spikes.
As consumers move seamlessly between online, mobile, and physical store channels, retailers must keep pace through an omnichannel strategyone that unifies every customer touchpoint into a cohesive, frictionless journey. Achieving this level of integration demands meticulous planning, strong infrastructure, and expert technical support to ensure each component operates harmoniously.
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.
As it enters physical retail, Australian online beauty retailer Adore Beauty has teamed up with Tutch to ensure that customers visiting its newly minted brick-and-mortar stores will still have access to the more than 14,000 products in its online catalog. Through the Tutch in-store digital platform, Adore Beauty customers will be able to purchase products available in stores while also curating a cart of products that are only available online, which will be sent to them after theyve finished sh
Ghalia BOUSTANI. Retail Consultant | Published author | Visiting lecturer An Exploration of Neo-Surrealism This year, the Maison & Objet fair took a bold turn with its theme, Sur/Reality. This neo-surrealist concept, as surprising as it is inspiring, perfectly embodies the fair’s mission: to push the boundaries of commerce, encourage the discovery of unexpected products, and delight visitors at every moment.
The power of social media in ecommerce is palpable. Shares, recommendations and actual transactions on channels like Instagram and TikTok are indispensable ways to build brand recognition and improve buyer trust. Take Instagram, for instance the platform pulled in an estimated 6.5 billion site visits in August 2024 alone. Critical milestones in the journey are no longer confined to a traditional retailers ecommerce site or checkout cart.
The power of social media in ecommerce is palpable. Shares, recommendations and actual transactions on channels like Instagram and TikTok are indispensable ways to build brand recognition and improve buyer trust. Take Instagram, for instance the platform pulled in an estimated 6.5 billion site visits in August 2024 alone. Critical milestones in the journey are no longer confined to a traditional retailers ecommerce site or checkout cart.
Bonds and Lvly have partnered to celebrate love in all forms this Valentines Day and are encouraging consumers to think small; with everyday gestures not extravagant proclamations of love. “Traditionally, Valentines Day can make you think of over-the-top displays of love or clichd teddy bears. But in 2025, we want to celebrate the gestures big and small that symbolise everyday love”, said Soniya Cooper, head of marketing and partnerships, at Lvly, told Inside Retail.
Albertsons is offering a 50% discount on its FreshPass program for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), cutting the annual cost to $49. FreshPass offers free delivery on orders over $30 as well as access to exclusive deals, a $5 monthly credit and 5% off on Albertsons private label organic and natural product brands. SNAP recipients can try out FreshPass with a free 14 -day trial, and they will receive 2X points that never expire on select exclusive brands.
Planning approval has been granted for the reconfiguration of four entrances at Highcross Shopping Centre, one of NewRivers capital partnership assets in Leicester. Highcross , a 1,100,000 sq ft regional shopping centre sits in the heart of Leicester and is the principal retail and leisure offer within the city and beyond. The four entrances – East Gates, High Street, Church Gate and Bond Street – will be reconfigured to improve customer accessibility and wayfinding, whilst the conte
Starbucks challenges continue under new leadership. The Seattle-based chain faces declining sales across major markets and shrinking profits, prompting a renewed focus on simplification and core brand values. The US coffee chain has seen a 4 per cent drop in global comparable store sales for the first quarter ending January 29. Revenue remained flat year-over-year at US$9.4 billion, while operating margin declined 390 basis points to 11.9 per cent, driven by increased labor costs, benefits, and
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
FatFace has announced that it has opened a new store in Westport, the first time that the lifestyle brand has opened a store on the West Coast of Ireland. Measuring 1,571 sq feet in size, the new store will allow customers to explore and purchase FatFaces latest collection, as well as iconic items from its core range. The Westport location will create 8 new jobs, with the new crew embodying FatFaces core values.
Nagnata is a premium Australian fashion and lifestyle brand designed for modern movement, including pilates, yoga and dance and studio-to-street style. Launched by sisters Laura May Gibbs, a fashion designer and creative director, and Hannah Gibbs, a textile artist and photographer, the brand sells innovative activewear and ready-to-wear dresses, tees and knitwear made from organic and renewable fibers, such as cotton and wool.
Tesco has shown an interest in potentially taking over 108 Crown Post Offices, as the organisation looks into moving them to a franchise model. Speaking to MPs this week, Post Office chairman, Nigel Railton, said the grocery giant had informed it of a potential interest in acquiring the directly managed offices, Sky News reported. One MP who attended the discussions over the sites’ future claimed Railton had indicated the supermarket was among a small number of suitors that could snap up t
Like many women in retail tech, Marieke Van Bruggens career path has been non-linear. I studied design at uni because, honestly, the role that I’m in now, you couldn’t even study for it at that point, she told Inside Retail. Because of that, her data skills are almost entirely self-taught: I’ve been coding for about 30 years and I still feel like I’m learning a lot in the space.
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.
Grosvenor Services has retained its facilities management contract at Europes largest shopping centre, Westfield London, marking a significant achievement in its long-standing partnership with Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW). Alongside this retention, Grosvenor has successfully expanded this relationship with three additional shopping centres to provide comprehensive cleaning, facilities management, and environmental services.
We get that running a business is a constant juggle, and managing cash flow can be tricky. For many Aussie small and medium business owners, the ideal scenario paying suppliers as late as possible while receiving immediate payment from customers simply isnt realistic. Unlike larger companies with a steady stream of income, smaller businesses may find themselves in a constant balancing act.
Amazons profit reached a new high after soaring nearly 90 per cent in the fourth quarter, while its sales also achieved double-digit growth thanks to a successful holiday season. The companys overall net sales rose 10 per cent to $298.64 in the quarter ended December 31, with North America segment up 10 per cent, international segment up 8 per cent and AWS up 19 per cent.
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.
Domino’s Pizza will close 205 loss-making stores, mostly in Japan and Europe, to help boost profitability. The pizza chain said it will shut 172 stores in Japan, 23 in Europe, and four in Australia and New Zealand. “Some of our Covid-period expansion resulted in stores that simply weren’t optimal based on our current customer proposition and removing them will strengthen our network,” said Mark van Dyck, Domino’s Pizza Enterprises CEO and MD. “To reach our pot
iStock/IvelinRadkov Ref: Temu, Shein, and the First Sale Rule: The Next Big Test for DTC Tariffs From Alex Yancher, CEO/Co-founder, Passport Shipping : "Did you know that Temu/Shein and other China-based shippers are planning on paying US tariffs on the cost of goods, not the retail value? So for a Temu product that a buyer pays $20 for, Temu will pay tariffs on COGS, something closer to $2 vs. $20 (sales price).
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Raju Sauces, a Manchester-based start-up, has secured listings in Ocado and Selfridges London for itsrange of sauces, which fuse favours from different cultures. The three-strong line-up: Hot Lime Pickle, Sweet Chilli Mango and Tangy Tamarind BBQ sauce are already available in delis and c-stores, as well as online.
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.
Marylebone Square, the landmark new development by Concord London , has announced its first independent retailers, marking a significant expansion of the areas vibrant shopping and lifestyle scene. The new arrivals include Special Guests, Neko Health, USM Modular Furniture, The Cirkel, and a soon-to-be-revealed restaurant concept. A new retail destination in Marylebone Transforming the site of a former 1960s car park, Marylebone Square introduces a mixed-use development featuring 79 new homes, a
Ralph Lauren reported a double-digit increase in sales in the third quarter, which an analyst described as exceptionally strong in an overall sluggish luxury market. For the quarter ended December 28, revenue rose 11 per cent to $2.1 billion, with North America revenue up 7 per cent, Europe up 16 per cent and Asia up 14 per cent. This extended the 6 per cent sales increase in the second quarter.
Each year, as retailers and technology providers gather in New York City for NRFs Big Show, RetailROIs SuperSaturday event stands out not just for its industry insights, but for its deeper purpose.
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.
Nick Scali’s net profit dipped in the fiscal first half ended December 31 amid a sharp decline in Australia and New Zealand performance and softer-than-expected loss in the UK. The furniture retailer’s net profit plunged 30.2 per cent to $30 million, with ANZ net profit tumbling 20.7 per cent to $34.1 million and UK net loss amounting to $4.1 million.
The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) industry will be subject to new laws starting in June, prompting the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) to open a consultation process for affected parties. The new regulations will require BNPL providers to secure a credit licence and comply with the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009. Specific obligations will also apply when a BNPL contract satisfies the definition of a low-cost credit contract. “The new laws are designed to ma
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.
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.
253 
Let's personalize your content