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Theres no shortage of talk about technology thats going to redefine, dominate, or transform retail this year. Much of this language boils down to marketing speech, and often, true industry disruption fails to materialize. There is no shortage of tech hyperbole in retail. But then theres the occasional exception a technology that genuinely does redefine and transform a way of doing business.
Sstrene Grene is accelerating its UK growth plans, confirming three new store openings in Harrogate, Canary Wharf, and Stirling for summer 2025. The development is part of a wider strategy that will see the Danish lifestyle and homewares retailer launch 60 new stores across Europe next year, with the goal of reaching 100 UK stores by 2027. The expansion comes at a time when many retailers are contracting in response to changing shopper habits and falling footfall.
1-800-Flowers.com Founder Jim McCann is stepping down and The Home Depot veteran Adolfo Villagomez has been appointed as the companys new CEO, effective May 12. The leadership shift was announced as 1-800-Flowers reported a dramatic sales decline in fiscal Q3 (ended March 30, 2025), with revenue decreasing 12.6% from the prior year period to $331.5 million as consumer demand slackened.
Newbie , part of the Kappahl Group, has announced a significant expansion of its UK retail footprint, with plans to open six new stores during 2025. The move will see the childrens clothing brand increase its UK presence from seven to thirteen locations, supporting the companys wider international growth strategy. The first new opening will take place on 22 May in The Glades Shopping Centre , Bromley.
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.
No-cost menstrual products, free pads, and tampons will soon be available in shopping centre vending machines across Victoria, providing relief from cost-of-living pressures for women in the state. Minister for Women Natalie Hutchins has announced that the rollout of vending machines dispensing free period products will be installed in 90 venues in Melbourne, starting with 18 shopping centres initially.
Lakeside Shopping Centre , part of SGS Group, has announced the opening of a new Reiss store. The unit offers the brands complete range of contemporary menswear, womenswear, and accessories, and is part of Reiss s broader strategy to grow its physical store network across the UK. The stores design was led by rpa:group , which also collaborated with Reiss on its location in London Heathrows Terminal Two.
Braehead Shopping Centre , part of SGS Group, has confirmed the upcoming opening of a new store from global pop culture retailer MINISO , marking the brands first location in Glasgow and only its second in Scotland. The announcement strengthens Braeheads position as a key retail and lifestyle destination in the region. Set to open in the coming months, the 2,267 sq ft store will be located on the centres lower level, opposite MAC.
Customer engagement research reveals some telling facts organizations focused on customer engagement saw cross-sell revenue surge by 22% and upsell revenue by 13-51%.
Rains , the Danish contemporary outerwear brand, has opened its second store in Belgium, situated in Brussels creative Dansaert district. The new 100-square-metre location on Rue Antoine Dansaert marks the brands 31st store worldwide and reinforces its ongoing European growth strategy. The Brussels opening follows the success of Rains Antwerp store and supports the companys aim to expand its physical footprint in urban centres across the continent.
In partnership with Vetsource, Amazon has launched a pet medication pharmacy. Using the convenience of the retailers online platform, pet parents can find various prescription treatments, such as flea and tick prevention, as well as drugs for chronic conditions. To order a pet prescription through Amazon, customers will need to use the storefronts search bar to find the prescribed medication.
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.
Made in Central London recruitment event to offer employment opportunities for up to 1,000 applicants in retail, hospitality, leisure, construction and facilities management The Crown Estate in association with British Land, Grosvenor, Shaftesbury Capital, Westminster City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions are hosting Made in Central London, a recruitment event to support job seekers in the next step in their career.
As the warmer weather approaches, Target has ramped up its summer line of accessories. This year, on its shelves is a new bag eerily similar to the very pricey Bogg Bags that took the internet by storm in 2020. The Instagram page Target Gems shared a video of the multicolored assortment of totes on the shelves of the Bullseye store. The company’s brand is called Sun Squad, and the bag retails for $15, while Bogg Bags retail for around $100.
Sainsburys has launched a trial allowing customers to pay directly on its handheld SmartShop devices, removing the need to visit a traditional checkout as part of wider efforts to streamline the shopping experience. According to The Grocer, the new functionality, currently being tested in two storesRichmond and Kemptonmarks the first time shoppers using the in-store handsets can complete payment without queuing at tills.
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.
Debenhams has introduced virtual try-on technology to enhance customer experience across its digital channels, starting with its beauty offering and aiming to expand into fashion in the coming months. The move is part of the online department store s wider strategy to increase personalisation and interactivity online, helping shoppers feel more confident in their purchases.
Nutella Peanut is coming to store shelves in the U.S. European food company Ferrero, the maker of the iconic Nutella hazelnut spread, is using the new product to build a stronger presence in North America. Nutella Peanut will not be a new peanut butter. According to the food maker, the new product will combine its famous hazelnut spread with roasted peanuts.
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 Pope Leo XIV takes the helm of the Catholic Church, Popeyes reaction to the news has some fans roaring with laughter. Its witty remarks took the internet by storm just moments after the papal appointment. The restaurant wasted no time joining the online chatter about the new pope. It served up a cheeky take on the news that added a dash of irony to the holy appointment.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Frozen food is riding high on a wave of innovation and consumer demand, according to a panel of food and drink experts. They say the category which grew by nearly 12% in 2023/24, generating more than8 billion in grocery sales is no longer just for the budget-conscious but attracts shoppers looking for quality products […] If you want more informat
Crocs Inc. CEO Andrew Rees provided a wealth of information to analysts during a May 8 conference call, perhaps most notably that the company does expect industry-wide price increases in the near future as a direct result of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump. According to Footwear News , Rees gestured toward pricing as a potential way of maintaining profits, particularly in the face of increased cost pressure being put forth by tariffs and other threats to the company’s bottom line
UK footfall was up over April, boosted by the spring sunshine and Easter falling in April, fresh data found. Total UK footfall rose 7.2% during the four weeks from 6 April to 3 May, up from -5.4% the month prior, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). High street footfall increased 5.3% over the period, rising from -4% in March, while retail park footfall jumped 7.5% from -1.2% the month before.
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
Old Navy has signed a long-term retail lease with JEMB Realty (JEMB) to build a new 55,000 -square-foot flagship at Herald Towers in the heart of New York Citys Herald Square. Herald Towers, which serve as the home of Old Navy’s new Herald Square flagship in NYC. (Image courtesy JEMB Realty) The store is set to open in 2026 and will span two floors.
White Castle has rolled back the cost of its sliders to 2012 prices in an unprecedented, budget-busting move to drive store traffic and build customer trust. According to a company press release , a pack of six sliders will cost just $4. This means each slider is priced at 67 cents, less than the menu listing of the brand’s Original Sliders 13 years ago.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Scotlands largest celebration of specialty coffee drew record crowds this year proving the strength and resilience of the industry amid a challenging time for the industry. More than 2,000 visitors attended this years Glasgow Coffee Festival, held across two sold-out days last month.
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.
Markets in different regions never behave the same because people in each location shop, spend, and decide differently. Your audience in one area might value affordability, while another expects premium. The post Geographical Pricing: A Strategic Business Guide appeared first on Blog.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Fashion, apparel and specialty stores lead the retail industry when it comes to technology adoption, butmost (62%) say customers are demanding different store experiences than what they can currently provide.
None of the Canadian retailer’s bids are from insiders. Meanwhile, the president responded to the toy brand's statements on diversifying its supply chain.
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Aldi is bringing the taste of Greece home with the launch of itsGyros Kits a tasty fakeaway for a purse-friendly3.19. A popular street food staple in Greece, gyros (pronounced “yee-ros”), typically features marinated meat, fries, and sauces wrapped in warm flatbread.
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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