Mon.Mar 31, 2025

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TikTok and the ‘Social Commerce’ Question

Retail TouchPoints

TikTok showed up in force at Shoptalk last week, and the company was on a mission, although not the one that might have been expected namely, to convince people that it has a future in the U.S. Quick side note on that hairy topic: TikTok is presenting the resolution of the years-long battle over its presence and influence in the U.S. as a foregone conclusion (that is, that its here stay).

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Is Your Office Quietly Sabotaging Productivity?

Retail Focus

Clutter: More Than Just an Eyesore Most businesses understand that clutter isn’t just unattractiveit’s quietly undermining office efficiency. You’ve probably noticed this already: the heaps of paperwork, supplies scattered about, and even those innocent-looking piles of old files that everyone pretends not to see. Believe it or not, clutter actively reduces focus, drains mental energy, and subtly hampers productivity.

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Walmart Plows Ahead with Climate-Resilient Agriculture Partnership

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart has joined forces with Cropin , an AI-powered food and agriculture platform, to enhance scalable sourcing solutions across the retailers U.S. and South American markets. The Cropin agri-intelligence platform is designed to improve yield forecasting, monitor crop health and predict seasonal transitions with greater accuracy. The partnerships goal is to ensure a steady supply of high-quality perishable commodities, enhance product availability, reduce waste and deliver better-quality produ

Apparel 147
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Why the founder of Uni runs her beauty brand like a software company

Inside Retail

Uni founder, Alexandra Keating, has worked out how to package personal care without compromising on product efficacy, environmental responsibility and innovative branding. I just want to make impact in whatever I do, Keating told Inside Retail. Her brand Uni is a body care line from the sea, for the sea with formulas that harness the power of natural ingredients, without the negative environmental impact.

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Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

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.

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How Retail Businesses can Reduce Credit Card Fees

Retail TouchPoints

Credit card spending has grown significantly over the past decade, leading to higher costs for businesses. For retail executives, finding ways to reduce these processing fees is crucial to improving profit margins and staying competitive in todays increasingly cashless economy. However, the complex and often unclear credit card processing system can make this difficult.

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How GYG, Pappa Flock are shaping the future of fast-casual dining in Australia

Inside Retail

The fast-casual restaurant sector has experienced a notable rise in Australia, driven by shifting consumer preferences towards high-quality, convenient and affordable dining options. Notable brands leading the charge are Guzman y Gomez , a well-established Mexican fast-casual chain that recently made a significant milestone on the Australian Securities Exchange, and newly founded crispy chicken restaurant, Papa Flock.

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Retail sales growth continues in February, but recovery still far away

Inside Retail

Australian retail sales recorded another modest growth in February despite the continued impact of cost-of-living pressures and economic uncertainty. Retail sales rose 3.6 per cent year-on-year to $37.1 billion, extending the 3.8 per cent uplift in January , data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows. The ‘other retailing’ category which includes cosmetics, sports, and recreational goods recorded the biggest increase at 5.5 per cent, followed by food with a 4.08 per cent i

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Sustainable Solutions for PET Bottles: Efficient Use and Recycling

365 Retail

PET bottles are widely used worldwide, but what happens to them after use? Managing plastic packaging sustainably is essential to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently. While reuse and upcycling have become popular trends, high-quality recycling remains the key to a circular economy. PET bottles can be processed into new packaging, reducing the demand for virgin plastic and lowering environmental impact.

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How retail fulfilment innovations drive competitive advantage

Inside Retail

As consumer expectations continue to evolve, fulfilment has emerged as a competitive differentiator in the retail industry. Meeting consumer demand for speed, reliability, and transparency has transcended logistics and become a strategic imperative that drives customer loyalty, acquisition, and profitability. Retailers that proactively adapt to evolving expectations gain a competitive edge.

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INTERSPORT Kicks Off Football-Focused Store Concept in Greece

365 Retail

INTERSPORT has formally introduced a new football specialist store format, reinforcing its strategy of delivering personalised, hyperlocal retail experiences tailored to consumer needs across its 42 global markets. The inaugural store opened on 27 March in Athens, operated by INTERSPORT Greece. Spanning 1,200 square metres, the space is designed as both an immersive retail environment and a local community hub for football fans.

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AI In The Aisles: The Executives Guide To Better In-Store Experiences

Speaker: Steve Worthy, MBA

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.

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Kin Fertility is meeting women where they are

Inside Retail

The process of trying to get contraception is both time-consuming and costly for the average woman in Australia. There is nothing convenient about making repetitive medical appointments and picking up scripts for a medication many women have been on for years. While Australias approach to family planning has been historically progressive going back to 1961, when Australia became the second country in the world to have access to the oral contraceptive pill the current healthcare system is not b

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Saks to Keep Dallas Neiman Marcus Open Through 2025 Holidays, Explore ‘Reimagination’ of Historic Retail Site

Retail TouchPoints

Just in the nick of time, Saks Global has announced a detente in the dramatic saga of the historic Neiman Marcus in downtown Dallas. Saks which finalized its acquisition of Neiman Marcus Group in December 2024 had announced in February 2025 that the store would close on March 31 following an ongoing lease dispute. The intervening month between the announcement and the proposed closure date of March 31 has been filled with passionate appeals for the retail landmark; sharp criticisms from both t

Fashion 147
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Morrisons launches sensory equipment to support neurodivergent shoppers

Retail Gazette

Morrisons has teamed up with the National Autistic Society to introduce Sensory Support Boxes that help autistic and neurodivergent customers have a positive shopping experience. To mark World Autism Acceptance Month, the grocery giant said the boxes “ have been carefully developed” in consultation with the National Autistic Society to ensure they include the most helpful items.

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Mother’s Day delivers a +13.4 percent footfall boost to the High Street compared to last year

A1 Retail

Total retail footfall on Mothers Day (30th March 2025) rose +7.3 percent compared to 2024, with shopper counts on 29th March higher still, up +13.1 percent year-on-year High Streets saw the biggest surge in shopper traffic on Mothers Day itself, up +13.4 percent versus 2024 Shopping Centres were the top performing destination on 29th Mar, with footfall rising +15.3 percent year-on-year Shoppers were tipped to have spent 2.4billion on Mothers Day this year, a rise of +5 percent year-on-year In th

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New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

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.

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Ocado gets green light for Nottinghamshire distribution hub

Retail Gazette

Ocado has been granted approval for a new distribution hub in Nottinghamshire, which will create hundreds of new jobs. The retailer was given the green light by Rushcliffe Borough Council to transform one of the new business units at the Fairham development into a distribution hub. Planning documents indicated that the new centre could lead to 422 new roles being created, including 358 van drivers, 24 marshallers, 17 office staff, and five maintenance workers.

Grocer 59
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Majestic enters formal agreement to acquire Enotria&Coe to accelerate on-trade supply ambitions

A1 Retail

Majestic agrees deal to acquire premium wines and spirits supplier, Enotria&Coe Deal turbocharges Majestics ambition to become one of the largest on-trade suppliers of wines, beers and spirits in the UK Majestics on-trade specialist arm, Majestic Commercial, and Enotria&Coe will continue to operate as standalone businesses following the acquisition Majestic has entered into a formal agreement to acquire the leading premium wines and spirits supplier, Enotria&Coe.

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Pets at Home cuts profit guidance as costs increase

Retail Gazette

Pets at Home has slashed its profit guidance for the upcoming financial year as it prepares for a hike in costs stemming from the Budget. The pet specialist warned it faces a 30m increase in costs arising from changes to employers National Insurance contributions, new packaging regulations and the rebuild of variable pay. Pets at Home said its ability to mitigate cost inflation depends on the rate of sales growth we are able to deliver, which is dependent on how consumer demand evolves and how i

ATS 98
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RBA’s latest cash rate decision a ‘significant blow’ to retail sector

Inside Retail

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has decided to hold the interest rate at 4.1 per cent, which retailer groups described as a significant blow to consumer and business confidence. The RBAs move to keep the cash rate on hold is a distressing decision for retail businesses around Australia particularly given we are well within the target inflationary range outlined by the RBA, said Australian Retailers Association chief industry affairs officer Fleur Brown.

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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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Harrods increases compensation settlements for al Fayed abuse victims

Retail Gazette

Harrods has increased the maximum compensation payouts to settle claims brought forward by alleged sexual abuse victims of the retailers former owner Mohamed al Fayed. More than 250 claims have been made against al Fayed of sexual misconduct including rape and attempted rape during his time at the helm of the iconic London department store. Lawyers at MPL Legal are understood to have increased the potential payout for survivors from 330,000 to almost 400,000, Sky News reported.

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INTERSPORT launches new specialist football store

A1 Retail

INTERSPORT has officially announced the global launch of its new football specialist store format, as it continues to pursue a personalised and hyperlocal approach that matches the needs of consumers in its 42 markets round the world. The kick-off for this new store format occurred on March 27 th in Athens, as INTERSPORT Greece opened its new 1,200 sqm football store.

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Sports Direct Opens New Multi-Brand Store at Trafford Palazzo

365 Retail

Sports Direct has expanded its footprint in Manchester with the launch of a new 30,000 square foot store at Trafford Palazzo , one of the North Wests major shopping and leisure hubs. The opening marks another strategic step in the retailers push to deliver cutting-edge sports retail experiences. Spread across two floors, the new store combines leading sports and lifestyle brands with additional offerings from Frasers Group labels USC and GAME.

ATS 59
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In pictures: Sports Direct’s latest Manchester store at Trafford Palazzo

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has expanded its Sports Direct footprint in Manchester with the opening of a new 30,000sq ft store at Trafford Palazzo. The group said the two-storey site “brings another state-of-the-art sports destination to Manchester” following the launch of its Arndale flagship in March 2023. The new store features a range of sports and leisurewear from global brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Under Armour, New Balance, ASICS, Skechers, and Jordan.

ATS 52
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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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Exclusive Stay Casino Codes for Canadian Players: Unlock Your Rewards!

365 Retail

For Canadian players looking to optimize their Stay Casino experience to raise their bankroll and enhance gaming, current player coupons at Stay Casino provide a terrific way. Unlike welcome bonuses meant for new players, these promo codes celebrate returning customers with extra incentives like free spins, cashback, deposit matching, and more. If you frequent Stay Casino, you’ll be happy to hear that current player codes there may access a variety of continuous promos meant to keep the th

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Asda trials facial recognition to combat retail crime

Retail Gazette

Asda is trialling live facial recognition at five of its stores in Greater Manchester to help combat the rise in retail crime. The retailer has launched a two-month trial of the technology supplied by FaiceTech at its Ashton, Chadderton, Eastlands, Harpurhey and Trafford Park supermarkets. More than 1,400 incidents of assault took place against Asda store colleagues last year an average of four per day.

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Spar UK reaches £4 million fundraising milestone for Marie Curie

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Spar UK is celebrating a major milestone in its ongoing partnership with Marie Curie, having raised an incredible 4 million since 2017. Marie Curie is the UKs leading end of life charity, providing expert care and support for people with any terminal illness and their loved ones.

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M&S launches £50m overhaul of North West stores

Retail Gazette

M&S is investing 50m to open new and upgraded stores across the North West of England, creating 300 new jobs. The retailer ‘s investment programme kicked off on Friday (28 March) with the reopening of a full-line store at Warringtons Gemini Retail Park. M&S also plans to open six new stores in Speke, Formby, Thornton-Cleveleys, Warrington, Blackburn, and Bolton, and relocate the New Mersey Retail Park store from a food hall to a full-line store, Retail Week reported.

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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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Iceland’s Richard Walker announces 450 deals ahead of April bill increases

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Iceland Foods Executive Chairman, Richard Walker has branded this 1stApril as no time for jokes as millions of Brits are hit with increased water, energy and council tax bills. Instead, the supermarket is introducing more than 450 deals on a huge range of products as well as maintaining some of its essential schemes and initiatives […] If you want

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Naked Wines founder to exit business

Retail Gazette

Naked Wines founder Rowan Gormley is stepping down from the business, following the launch of its new strategic plan. Gormley is departing from the alcohol retailer as its non-executive chairman and director of the company with immediate effect. Senior independent director Deidre Runnette is set to take over the role of non-executive chairman on an interim basis until a successor is hired.

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Chipotle gives away free meals to celebrate National Burrito Day (3rd April)

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Chipotle Mexican Grill UK, the fast-casual restaurant chain that serves burritos, bowls, tacos, quesadillas, and salads made with fresh ingredients, has announced it will celebrate National Burrito Day with a BOGOF offer on all main meals, from Monday 31stMarch – Thursday 3rdApril.

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Wilko and Deliveroo extend partnership with nationwide expansion

Retail Gazette

Deliveroo and Wilko are extending their partnership, following the launch of the home and garden retailer on Deliveroo Shoppingin October. The retailer initially launched on the app across 10 Wilko hub locations, based in Edinburgh, Bristol, Nottingham, Bournemouth, Eccles, Manchester, Bedford, Harlow, Plymouth and Leeds, with 3,000 products on offer.

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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.