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In the early 2010s, technology forecasters and business analysts painted a compelling picture of the future of customer service: chatbots would dramatically cut labor costs and transform how consumers interacted with brands. Fast forward to today, and the reality has yet to live up to the hype. While chatbots have found their place in the customer service ecosystem, they havent achieved the dominance and ubiquity that many predicted.
Temu has been ranked the fastest-growing website in Australia after recording a 72 per cent increase in unique visitors last year. The Chinese online marketplace took the top spot in Similarweb’s 2025 Digital 100 Australia report which measures the top 250 websites across various categories. Property.com.au and chatgpt.com were in second and third places, respectively.
Following a raft of stores closures in 2024, retail advisory firm Coresight Research predicts that closures will escalate further this year, to approximately 15,000. Store openings are expected to remain steady at approximately 5,800 (compared to 5,970 in 2024), but that would still represent a net loss of more than 9,000 stores. Supporting these expectations is the fact that more than 2,000 planned closures already are underway this year.
Kitchen remodelling projects are one of the cornerstones of the renovation and home improvement industries, as this area is more likely to see wear and tear than any other part of your house. Cooking, preparing, and serving meals are essential parts of daily life, but they also create a lot of mess. The use of cleaning products paired with the steam, the oils, the ingredients that can get spilled and the cookware that is sometimes dropped create irreversible damage in time.
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.
Regional grocery chain Wegmans has partnered with Uber Eats to offer on-demand delivery from stores in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. this month, with plans to add locations in New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware in February. Wegmans already works with DoorDash and recently expanded that partnership to additional supermarkets in the chain.
New Zealand entrepreneur Emma Lewisham is setting out to change the course of the beauty industry with her eponymous brand. After forging a successful corporate career as a strategy and marketing executive for Japanese tech company Brother International, Lewisham was inspired to reflect on the potentially harmful ingredients in the skincare she was using after a series of personal events.
Skechers has reimagined its store at Canadas West Edmonton Mall as its first Performance location, featuring an immersive experience that includes an expanded sales floor, half-size pickleball and basketball courts and a range of technology showcases. Image courtesy Skechers Designed as an experiential playground where customers can try out Skechers sports-focused footwear technology, the 7,500-square-foot store offers a gallery of the brands innovations for players at every skill level.
Skechers has reimagined its store at Canadas West Edmonton Mall as its first Performance location, featuring an immersive experience that includes an expanded sales floor, half-size pickleball and basketball courts and a range of technology showcases. Image courtesy Skechers Designed as an experiential playground where customers can try out Skechers sports-focused footwear technology, the 7,500-square-foot store offers a gallery of the brands innovations for players at every skill level.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is vital in protecting people on construction sites. It is tailored to particular job functions so that each worker is provided with the ability to address different risks. Wholesale PPE suppliers can offer a wide variety of protective gear to fulfill these demands, allowing employers to uphold safety standards while high specific operational requirements can be met.
Geekplus robots are now in use at all three of Happy Returns’ Hubs. (Image courtesy Happy Returns) Inside a large warehouse in Pennsylvania, dozens of black robots dart and swirl across a polished concrete floor. They resemble Roombas with a skinny highboy table on top. Geekplus, the company that makes them, calls them dancing robots, and for good reason they really do look like dancers in the midst of an intricate performance.
As any long-term business owner will tell you, keeping an existing customer is a whole lot cheaper than finding a new one. As a retail business owner, your goal should always be to ensure that your current customers are happy. You want them to keep returning. Businesses only survive when they have returning customers. On this page, we want to share a few tips that should help you to gain returning customers.
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. , which operates more than 520 stores under various banners, and the 166- store supermarket retailer The Fresh Market have each named new leaders. Jason Potter, a 30 -year grocery retail veteran, will take on the President and CEO roles at Grocery Outlet as of Feb. 3, 2025. Current Fresh Market COO Brian Johnson will become that retailers President and CEO, also on Feb. 3.
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.
The Mercers Company has announced that Bloom Perfumery, the famous Londonperfumery, has relocated within Covent Garden. Opening a larger location within The Yards , and accommodating the brands significant growth and popularity, Bloom Perfumerys new flagship store is triple the size of its previous site. Bloom Perfumery selected The Yards 2,900 sq ft 4 Slingsby Place site, relocating from Langley Court, to accommodate the influx of visitors the store receives, as well as the brands growing colle
Today, Victoria Centre has announced that a remarkable 13,347 was raised for Nottinghamshire Hospice, its charity of choice in 2024.To achieve this incredible figure, the centre hosted fundraising initiatives and activities throughout the year. This included charitable collection spaces at the Centre, donations from the iconic Emett Clock, staff-led initiatives such as Christmas Jumper Day and an in-house tuck shop.
Creating a long-term SEO strategy is essential for businesses that want to improve their online visibility and drive sustainable growth. While quick fixes and one-off campaigns can yield short-term results, a well-planned, long-term strategy ensures your business stays ahead in the digital space. Many businesses in Liverpool are turning to professional SEO agencies to help develop and execute these strategies.
Indian retail conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited has signed a franchise agreement with American luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue to expand its luxury retail portfolio through its subsidiary Reliance Retail, the company said in its third-quarter financial report last week. Specific details regarding the inaugural Saks Fifth Avenue store’s launch timeline and location in India have not yet been announced.
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.
REI has named Mary Beth Laughton, a former REI board director with experience at Sephora, Athleta and Nike on her resume, to serve as President beginning on Feb. 3, 2025, and then taking on full CEO responsibilities on March 31, 2025. Laughton will replace Eric Artz, who will be retiring in March. Artz, who had previously been the outdoor retailers COO, took over the CEO role in February 2019 when the previous CEO, Jerry Stritzke, resigned after an investigation into a personal consensual relati
Sainsburys is to cut 3,000 jobs as part of a drive to simplify its business and address rising costs, including a 140m leap in employer national insurance contributions from April. The supermarket will close its remaining cafs, hot food counters, patisserie, and pizza counters, and reduce senior management roles by an estimated 20%, Reuters reported.
Bloom Perfumery , the renowned London-based perfumery, has relocated to a larger flagship store in The Yards , Covent Garden. The move marks a significant milestone for the brand, which has grown substantially in popularity, requiring a new space three times the size of its previous location on Langley Court. The new store, located at 4 Slingsby Place, spans 2,900 sq ft and is designed to accommodate Bloom Perfumerys impressive collection of over 60 fragrance brands and more than 1,000 perfumes.
Rituals is set to double down on its growth plans after topping 2bn (1.77bn) in sales for the first time in its 25-year history. The Amsterdam-based beauty and wellness brand reported a 21% increase in sales for the 2024 financial year, reaching 2.1bn (1.77bn), up 23.5% from 1.7bn (1.4bn) in 2023. The growth is largely driven by strong sales in Europe and a growing presence in Asia.
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.
Since launching in 1995, Lush has stayed at the forefront of the beauty and personal care industry thanks to its emphasis on good-for-you ingredients, unique product collaborations and ability to keep up with trends. Here, Lushs head of retail for the eastern US, Stephanie Greben shares her career journey, the best advice she received about how to lead a team and the importance of a brand standing firm to its values.
Living, Giving, Working, and Dining in style: Ambiente 2025 is set to be a trade fair showcasing leading brands. With its four segments, it encompasses all facets of modern lifestyles and workstyles. Visitors can expect a “Whos Who” of international brands catering to all aspects of life. In 2025, many renowned brands will once again return to the Frankfurt trade fair.
The online casino industry has come a long way since its inception, and as we move into 2025, the landscape is changing rapidly. Advancements in technology, regulatory changes, and shifting player preferences are reshaping how online casinos operate and how players engage with their favourite games. The Rise of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) In 2025, one of the most significant changes in the online casino industry will be the widespread adoption of virtual reality (VR) and augm
Charles Tyrwhitt is proud to announce the opening of its first store in Norwich today, expanding its presence across the country. This exciting new addition to the brands portfolio brings its timeless British menswear and impeccable craftsmanship to one of the UKs most historic and dynamic cities. Located on Castle Street, the Norwich store sets the stage for the brand’s renowned shopping experience, showcasing a curated collection of Charles Tyrwhitts iconic products, including their sign
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
Gamification has proven to be an effective strategy for both online casinos and retail businesses, allowing them to engage customers in a more dynamic and rewarding way. By incorporating elements like loyalty programs, leaderboards, challenges, rewards, and free spins, online casinos have created a more immersive and engaging environment for players.
Schuh has started a voluntary redundancy process with its staff as it looks to trim costs across the footwear chain. The retailers president Colin Temple told The Scotsman that due to ongoing challenging economic conditions and rising costs, we have made the difficult decision to restructure our business. We are going through a voluntary redundancy process in some areas of business,” he said.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Product copying is a common issue on Amazon, and the worst part is that it can often go unnoticed for long periods, allowing copycats to profit off your hard work while you lose out on sales. Whether it’s someone hijacking your listing or repackaging your product as their own, its important to know how to […] If you want more information Reta
iStock/solarseven The fifth annual Trade in Transition 2025 study surveyed over 3,500 supply chain executives across the world. The findings reveal firms are being forced to adapt at speed to rising protectionism and shifting geopolitical alliances. Research unveiled by Economist Impact and DP World at the World Economic Forum highlights this strategic pivot, driven by geopolitical uncertainty which is likely to grow with the America first policies of the new administration in the United States.
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.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! No reservations? No problem Aldis Valentines Day range is a match made in heaven for those looking to host date night at home this year. With deals that are scrumptious on the palate as well as the wallet, Aldis Valentines Day meals start from just 2.99 per person.
The Range owner CDS Superstores has relaunched Homebase’s website following its acquisition of the brand out of administration last year. The retailer said the redesigned site provides “an upgraded online shopping experience for all household and garden requirements” Homebase.co.uk features an enhanced browsing experience, improved functionality and online offers and special promotions, all backed by the DIY chain’s trusted customer service.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Asda has partnered with coffee pod recycling service Podback, to provide coffee lovers with a simple and convenient way to recycle their used coffee pods in over 600 of its stores. Coffee pods are not suited for recycling through traditional routes, due to their small size, and because they contain organic material.
Despite shareholders unequivocal approval of Myers deal with Premier Retails Apparel Brands last week, many retail experts remain sceptical of the logic of combining the two businesses. From a practical standpoint, even from a marketing standpoint, I can’t see a logic behind the rationale for a department store with, essentially, 50 stores or 60 stores across Australia to buy another 600 or 700 smaller stores, Gary Mortimer, a Professor of Retail Marketing and Consumer Behaviour at the QUT
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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