Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

As retailers gear up for the 2023 holiday shopping season, predicted to be another big year, expect generative AI to influence consumer shopping and buying decisions. In fact, seven out of 10 marketers in the U.S. are using generative AI in their work already, according to Statista. This influence is already being felt across the buyer journey. It’s being used to generate marketing content including social media posts, videos and images.

Shopping 229

Shopping Advertising Consumer Marketing 229

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Listed conglomerate Wesfarmers has reported tax-paid profit reached $2.5 billion in FY23 as operating conditions and consumer behaviours continued to normalise. The company’s retail business comprises Bunnings, Officeworks, and Kmart Group which in turn includes Target and Catch. For the year to June 30, group sales rose 18.2 per cent to $43.5 billion while tax-paid profits reached $2.5 billion, up 48.8 per cent and EBIT of $3.8 billion, up 6.3 per cent.

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Returns Consumer Discount Store Marketing 246

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

By reducing bounce rates from online merchants’ product detail pages (PDPs) that are reached via paid SERPs (search engine results pages) on Google, retailers can extend visitors’ journeys throughout their websites and help boost conversion rates. Bidnamic Discovery Pages, which are optimized for speed, can help address page loading slowdowns caused by the multiple elements on PDPs designed to encourage visitors to convert, such as behavioral tracking, rollover zoom features and video assets.

Customer Experience 234

Customer Experience 234

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Private equity firm Roark Capital agreed on Thursday to buy Subway, in a deal that people familiar with the matter said values the US sandwich chain at up to $9.55 billion, including debt, subject to targets in its financial performance. The deal marks the conclusion of a drawn-out auction that started in February and attracted interest from several private equity firms.

Finance 246

Finance Marketing Location Planning 246

Speaker: Loreal Lynch, Everett Zufelt, and Michaela Weber

Once upon a time, in the vast realm of online commerce, there lived a humble checkout button overlooked by many. Yet, within its humble click lay the power to transform a mere visitor into a loyal customer. 🧐 💡 Getting checkout right can mark the difference between a successful sale and an abandoned cart, yet many businesses fail to make payments a part of their commerce strategy even when it has a direct impact on revenue.

Checkout

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

Shein and Forever 21 are joining forces in a deal that will allow Forever 21 to sell its youth-focused apparel to Shein’s 150 million online users. The deal may eventually include Shein shop-in-shops at some of Forever 21’s 540 brick-and-mortar stores, which are heavily concentrated in malls, as well as offering consumers the ability to return Shein items at Forever 21 locations.

Fast Fashion 232

Fast Fashion Fashion Apparel Returns 232

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Collapsed Australian non-alcoholic drinks specialty store Sans Drinks has been acquired by online wine retailer, Just Wines. In July, the company entered voluntary administration citing competitive pressures and softening sales. On Monday, creditors resolved to accept the Deed of Company Arrangement (DOCA) proposal. This means secured and employee creditors are likely to be paid in full while unsecured creditors are set to receive an estimated 48 cents in the dollar over the next three months.

Specialty Store 246

Specialty Store Promotions Marketing Management 246

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Despite the ongoing summer heat, the pumpkin spice season is starting earlier this year, with companies like Starbucks, Dunkin’, Krispy Kreme, and 7-11 already rolling out their autumn-themed products. Starbucks, celebrating the 20th anniversary of its famous pumpkin spice latte, will release its fall lineup on August 24, which is earlier than usual.

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Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

CommentSold , a provider of live selling technology, has acquired the assets of mobile livestreaming marketplace Popshoplive. The newly named platform — Popshoplive, powered by CS — will allow creators to sell products directly to their followers via their own branded storefronts rather than referring them to brands and retailers. The deal coincides with the wide launch of CommentSold’s drop shipping capabilities, creating an end-to-end platform for direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales.

Drop-Shipping 209

Drop-Shipping Shipping Fulfillment Management 209

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Abercrombie & Fitch has raised its annual sales forecast after reporting strong second-quarter results that surpassed estimates. The company’s new clothing styles, including dressy apparel, knitwear, cargo pants, and denim silhouettes, attracted shoppers to both its Abercrombie and Hollister labels. The retailer’s tight inventory control and ability to chase demand without relying heavily on promotions.

Apparel 189

Apparel Promotions 189

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

Toy company Educational Insights launched in 1962, long before the internet existed. Now the company has become the first toy brand to test out the hottest new arena in digital selling — TikTok Shop. Brands have been clamoring to sell on TikTok almost from the moment the platform began its meteoric rise and the #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag proved its commerce potential.

Shopping 202

Shopping Merchant Services Fulfillment Social Commerce 202

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Adopting MACH technology means more than implementing new platforms. This type of digital change affects your organization at every level and requires a thoughtful approach to navigate challenges that crop up. The Get MACH Ready report, co-authored by MACH Alliance member Scott Canney in collaboration with Orium, commercetools, and Contentstack, will provide you with strategies to prepare your organization for a digital transformation.

Management

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

White Castle is introducing AI-powered voice bots to 100 drive-thru lanes by the end of 2024, following a successful partnership with SoundHound’s technology since 2020. As labor shortages continue to impact the restaurant industry, White Castle is among several fast-food chains, including McDonald’s, Checkers & Rally’s, Del Taco, Taco Bell, Panera Bread, Popeyes, and Carl’s.

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ATS 188

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

Alphabet Inc. plans to open a new Google Store in Boston, making it the second U.S. city to house a retail space for the technology giant, according to new reporting in the Boston Business Journal. Sources familiar with the project revealed that the company has its sights on a ground-floor storefront at 149 Newbury St., a new five-story mixed-use building developed by L3 Capital LLC.

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Location Planning ATS 189

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Macy’s has announced plans to open four smaller stores in Boston, Las Vegas, San Diego, and suburban Indiana, as part of its efforts to revamp its brand and attract younger shoppers. These new locations, situated in strip malls, will host events and frequently change merchandise. CEO Jeff Gennette noted that Macy’s existing smaller-format stores have.

Location 188

Location Planning 188

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Malaysian hospitality company Woodpeckers Group has added a new food business to its portfolio, with the recent signing of a 20-year franchise agreement with Cha Thai International, the owner of popular Thai tea chain ChaTraMue. The agreement will see Woodpeckers open between eight and 10 ChaTraMue stores in Malaysia this year, with an additional 30 stores scheduled for the following year.

Marketing 130

Marketing Planning Consumer Location 130

Speaker: David Azoulay, Marc Stracuzza, Román Tejada, and Guest Speaker Sucharita Kodali

Imagine a retail landscape where every interaction is personalized, every decision informed, and every opportunity maximized 🤔✨ Join us for an exploratory journey into the heart of AI-driven retail innovation. We’ll unveil the transformative potential of AI and data analytics in shaping the future of omnichannel personalization and e-commerce.

Customer Experience

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

CVS Health has introduced Cordavis, a new subsidiary aimed at producing and commercializing “biosimilar” drugs, which are more affordable versions of costly brand prescriptions derived from biotechnology. Cordavis will collaborate directly with drug manufacturers to develop and distribute these biosimilar products, which are approved by the FDA as highly similar and without clinically meaningful differences.

ATS 185

ATS 185

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Walmart announces leadership shuffle following CEO retirement By Dean Blake Judith McKenna, president and CEO of Walmart International, announced her retirement last week, after 27 years with the company. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said that the business was extremely grateful for her tenure, and that the first time he met McKenna, he was struck by her “combination of intelligence and heart”.

Outdoor 130

Outdoor Finance Supermarket Management 130

Retail TouchPoints

AUGUST 24, 2023

Dollar Tree will pay a $1.35 million fine to settle safety violations that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has “repeatedly cited at multiple stores,” according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The retailer, which also operates the Family Dollar chain, also has agreed to remediation of issues including blocked exits, access to fire extinguishers and electrical panels and improper material storage at stores nationwide.

ATS 130

ATS Store Operations 130

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

With job mobility at a 9.5 per cent peak for a second year in a row, the highest rate in a decade, leaders everywhere are searching for solutions to help them retain staff. Job mobility is of particular concern to retail trade, with retail possessing one of the highest attrition rates of all industries. In fact, according to the latest release on job mobility from the ABS, retail trade accounted for the second largest share of people who changed jobs in the year ending February 2023 at 11.8 per

Accounting 130

Accounting ATS 130

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Understanding the intricate world of Point-of-Sale (POS) technology is a common challenge for tech buyers. When it comes to defining the functions of Point-of-Sale systems, the communications have yet to be standardized–—until now. Forrester’s new report, Demystifying The Technical Functions of POS Solutions, breaks through the noise and provides business leaders with the information and tools they need to evaluate the features of POS systems.

Point of Sale

Retail Focus

AUGUST 24, 2023

Already home to a well-established traditional Market Hall, INDIEPOP SALFORD will see the creation of a second market hub within the centre, with the focus on local, independent and pop-up retail providing a diverse range of unique products, services and grab and go food and drink operators aimed at the ever growing, diverse population on the centres door step.

Accessories 130

Accessories Marketing Shopping Fashion 130

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Footwear retailer Accent Group says it has “returned” to long-term profit growth in FY23, but remains cautious as trading conditions remain challenging. The company owns and operates retail businesses such as Platypus, The Athlete’s Foot, Subtype, The Trybe, HypeDC, Pivot and 4 Workers, and distributes global brands including Dr Martens, Skechers, Vans and Merrell.

Apparel 130

Apparel Returns Planning Management 130

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Peloton reported a wider-than-expected loss for its fourth fiscal quarter and experienced a drop in new subscribers, attributing it to the recall of its Bike seat post and seasonality. The company’s net loss was $241.8 million, compared to a loss of $1.26 billion a year earlier, while sales dropped to $642.1 million from $678.7 million.

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Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

New Zealand shoppers will receive a warm welcome to what a truly international modern retail outlet centre has to offer when Auckland Airport opens the doors to Mānawa Bay – its purpose-built premium outlet shopping destination – in the second half of 2024. The 24,000sqm outlet shopping centre is being built on the water’s edge of Auckland Airport’s precinct.

Accessories 130

Accessories Shopping Location Fashion 130

Speaker: Jennifer Wright, Michael Scholz, Jasmin Guthmann, and Scott Canney

Digital transformation in retail is so much more than new technology. You need to get your whole organization, from entry-level workers to executives, on board with the new tech, new skills, and culture changes that digital transformation brings. Leading this mindset shift can be a daunting task… but that’s where this webinar comes in! Join our panel of experts as they guide you through the challenges of digital transformation, preparing you to avoid common mistakes and make the most of incredib

Management

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Bath & Body Works issued a warning of a more significant decline in annual sales as Americans hold back on purchasing its higher-priced home fragrances and personal care products due to ongoing inflation. The company’s second-quarter sales fell by 3.6% to $1.56 billion, and it now expects annual net sales to decline between 1.5% and.

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Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Best known for the eponymous shoe label she founded in the 1990s, Jo Mercer is now channelling her passion for local manufacturing into Matilda Life , the fashion and lifestyle brand she started in 2021. Here, she discusses opening a physical store and lessons learned from over 20 years in retail. Inside Retail : Can you tell me about the Matilda Life brand?

Fashion 130

Fashion Customer Experience Returns Shopping 130

Retail Wire

AUGUST 24, 2023

Shares of Foot Locker plunged by as much as 36%, hitting a 13-year low, due to warnings of weak consumer demand amid persistent inflation. The sportswear retailer’s limited selection and heightened promotions from competitors impacted its sales and back-to-school shopping season.

Sporting Goods 100

Sporting Goods Promotions Consumer Shopping 100

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Victor Sanz , global creative director of Tumi, has carved a unique career path, intertwining art, design, and industrial innovation. In this insightful interview, Sanz delves into his love for creating products that deeply resonate with people, offers advice for the next generation of retail leaders, and contemplates the challenge of balancing work and life in a creative field.

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Clienteling Fashion Fulfillment Outdoor 130

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Did you know—74% of IT leaders are looking to improve their tech stack to offer better personalization? It’s impossible to ignore the importance of personalization, but it comes with challenges. How do you do it with a tight budget? What about customer privacy and the use of data? The Personalization Playbook is packed with research and insights from Orium, Talon.One, and Bloomreach and gives IT leaders answers to these tough questions, helping them shape 2024 strategies for personalization.

Retail Gazette

AUGUST 24, 2023

HMV owner Doug Putman has made a last-minute attempt to rescue parts of fallen retailer Wilko. The retail boss is understood to have been engaged in talks with the discount retailer’s administrators from PwC. The offer could rescue 3,000 to 4,000 jobs, as well as roughly half of its 400 stores, according to reports from The Sun. However, The Times reported Wilko CEO Mark Jackson would rather liquidate the retailer to make higher returns for its creditors.

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Returns 98

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Australian and New Zealand furniture chain Freedom this month relocated its Victorian distribution centre (DC) to a 24,345sqm facility in Melbourne’s southeast. The move to the new location, which has a five-star Green Star rating, was made with the intention of streamlining logistics, and expediting customer deliveries for its Victorian customers. Here, Pascal Kouknas, Freedom’s general manager for IT and logistics, speaks with Inside Retail about how the new DC will help to drive product innov

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Location Management Planning ATS 130

Shopping Center

AUGUST 24, 2023

Kansas City, Mo. — Kansas City-based Chicken N Pickle has announced plans to open seven new locations by the first quarter of 2025. Plans include locations in St. Charles, Missouri; Allen,… The post Chicken N Pickle to Open Seven New Locations appeared first on Shopping Center Business.

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Location Planning Shopping 98

Inside Retail

AUGUST 24, 2023

Digital supply chain and omnichannel commerce fulfilment provider Blue Yonder is making strong moves to drive innovation and shape the future of retail supply chains with its plans to further leverage generative artificial intelligence (AI), the data cloud, and infinite computing power into its systems. As the company hits 25 years since its incorporation in Australia (originally as JDA Software Group) – and in the wake of its announcement earlier this year of plans to invest up to US$1 billion

Planning 130

Planning Consumer Fulfillment Shipping 130

Speaker: Shaunna Bruton - Associate Director of Product Strategy at Orium | Sam Panzer - Director of Industry Strategy at Talon.One | Frank Passantino - Director of Product Management at Bloomreach

More and more, customers are expecting a better personalized CX. But can retailers actually deliver? Data from McKinsey shows that companies that excel in personalization increase their revenue by 40%, but despite these numbers, retailers struggle to implement customer personalization strategies. So what are the potential solutions? Join us to gain a better understanding of the current retail landscape and learn what you can do to translate personalization strategies into practical implementatio

Customer Experience