Wed.Dec 20, 2023

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From frumpy to fashionable: the triumphant turnaround of M&S Clothing

Retail Gazette

One of the good news stories of 2023 has been the resurgence of M&S, which just last month hailed a better-than-expected 75% rise in first-half profit. A big driver of his performance has been the long-awaited revival of its fashion arm. In fact M&S clothing is – dare we say it – cool again. With stylish celebrity ambassadors and a booming social media channel, the retailer’s designs are a fry cry from the frumpy fashion that filled its stores not so long ago.

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Microsoft and TomTom Partner To Create Conversational AI Assistant for Cars

Retail Wire

TomTom has announced that it will be partnering with Microsoft to create a fully integrated AI-powered conversational automotive assistant for the global automobile industry.

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Walmart Brings BNPL to Self-Checkout in 4,500 Stores Via Expanded Partnership with Affirm

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart will offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) options at self-checkout kiosks in more than 4,500 U.S. stores through an expanded partnership with Affirm. Walmart and Affirm first partnered in 2019 to bring BNPL options to shoppers on its website and app. Indeed, until recently most BNPL offerings were relegated to the digital realm, but stores are widely seen as the next big area of expansion for this increasingly popular financing option.

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Australia Post to pay $2.9 million for lost, damaged parcels

Inside Retail

Australia Post and its subsidiary StarTrack have committed to pay about $2.9 million in compensation for lost or damaged parcels. The failure affected about 10,500 business contract customers and fewer than 1000 recipients of StarTrack deliveries, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The consumer watchdog said that the two companies admitted they likely committed misleading or deceptive practices when they declined compensation requests and incorrectly told som

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Turn Payments Into Personalization: Unlock the Value of Transaction Data

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.

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Year in Review 2023: Tokinomo’s news, awards, and best campaigns

Tokinomo

2023 marked a year of unparalleled achievement for Tokinomo, characterized by groundbreaking innovations, influential participation in key events, and notable recognition in the retail marketing sphere.

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Polo Ralph Lauren expands Sydney footprint

Inside Retail

Polo Ralph Lauren is growing its presence in Australia by opening a new store in Sydney’s Westfield Warringah Mall. The store stocks Polo Ralph Lauren men’s and women’s clothing, which will be available to customers right before Christmas. The product selection includes the latest items from the women’s Spring Summer 2023 collections, with some pieces available exclusively to the new store.

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FTC Imposes 5-Year Ban on Rite Aid’s ‘Reckless’ Use of AI-Based Facial Recognition

Retail TouchPoints

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has prohibited Rite Aid from using facial recognition technology in its stores, claiming the retailer failed to implement reasonable security procedures and prevent harm to consumers. The FTC complaint said that from 2012 to 2020, store employees using this technology erroneously accused customers of wrongdoing based on “thousands” of false positive matches with a database of shoplifters and other troublemakers.

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Comcast’s Xfinity Faces a Massive Data Breach

Retail Wire

Comcast's Xfinity has been hit by a major data breach, with unauthorized access to its systems between Oct. 16 and Oct. 19.

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The Top 5 Retail Remix Episodes of 2023

Retail TouchPoints

The Retail Remix podcast was developed to feature the founders, executives and practitioners shaping retail’s future. Over three -plus years, I have had the honor of speaking with industry pros who have rich backgrounds in tech, marketing and advertising, operations, finance and so much more. With every conversation, my goal is simple: to have candid and at times challenging conversations around some of the industry’s hottest topics and trends.

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Fresh Express and Publix Bagged Spinach Recalled Over Listeria Concerns

Retail Wire

Publix and Fresh Express bagged Spinach has been recalled after the Florida Department of Agriculture registered a positive result for Listeria during a routine test.

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Get MACH Ready: Preparing Your Business for Digital Transformation

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.

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Fairway Turns its Markets into ‘Convenience Stores’ with 30-Minute Delivery from Instacart

Retail TouchPoints

Manhattan’s Fairway Market grocery chain has partnered with Instacart to develop a new convenience-focused service called Fairway Now that will offer delivery of last-minute grocery items and household essentials in as fast as 30 minutes. “Our customers are New Yorkers, and they are savvy, on the move and always looking for smart, convenient ways to shop,” said Perry Blatt, Director of Ecommerce and Business Development for Fairway Market in a statement.

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Monsanto Is Ordered To Pay $857 Million Over PCBs

Retail Wire

In a recent ruling, a jury in Washington state commanded the globally recognized agrochemical firm, Bayer's Monsanto, to pay a staggering $857 million.

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Alibaba Adds Taobao and Tmall Ecommerce Group to Eddie Wu’s Portfolio

Retail TouchPoints

Alibaba Group has given Eddie Wu, already Group CEO and head of the Alibaba Cloud unit, responsibility for its biggest revenue generator, the Taobao and Tmall Group (TTG). Wu is replacing Trudy Dai, one of Alibaba’s original 18 founders, as CEO of TTG, but she will remain with the company to help set up an asset management company. “Eddie’s leadership of both Alibaba Cloud and TTG will ensure total focus on, and significant and sustained investment in, our two core businesses of cloud computing

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How Haus of Dizzy uses bold and bright jewellery to advocate and inspire

Inside Retail

Kristy Dickinson is a jewellery designer and founded Haus of Dizzy, to amplify the voices of those who have been silenced. Haus of Dizzy was featured as one of the 20 Coolest Retailers in Australia, in the November issue of Inside Retail magazine. Inside Retail : Tell me about your career journey – as a jewellery designer and the founder of Haus of Dizzy.

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How Retailers Are Transforming Customer Experiences with Data & AI

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.

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Holiday Retail Trends 2023: Essential Insights for Online Brands & Retailers

Wiser

Analyzing the holiday retail trends of 2023 can illuminate the path forward for brands and retailers and clarify the steps they need to take to stay competitive. Data can help identify the promotional strategies that resonated with consumers, the products that flew off the virtual shelves, and the ones that didn’t. With this knowledge, brands and retailers can tailor their future strategies to align with consumer behavior and preferences.

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Six standout retail spaces, from a double-decker bus to luxury flagships

Inside Retail

LSKD, National The LSKD BAF (Big As *) bus is not your typical double-decker automobile. Rather, it’s a vibrant and innovative addition to the LSKD sportswear brand, which is taking the brand on the road and across the country as part of its “Chase The Vibe Tour”. The brainchild of LSKD’s head of design Dylan Osborne, the concept came to life when the brand purchased the 1970s double-decker bus that once served as ‘The Love Bus’ in Byron Bay.

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Austrian Court Orders Signa Holding To Sell Chrysler Building Stake

Retail Wire

The financially troubled co-owner of the Chrysler Building, Signa Holding, has been mandated by an Austrian court to sell its stake in the famed skyscraper.

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Melbourne retail identity Franco Cozzo dies

Inside Retail

Melbourne furniture businessman Franco Cozzo – whose catchy television commercials and larger-than-life personality made him something of a Victorian identity – has passed away at the age of 87. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Franco Cozzo,” his family said in a statement. “He was surrounded by his loving wife and family.” Cozzo rose to fame after appearing in a series of TV advertisements for his furniture store in the 1980s, with hi

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Forrester Report: Demystifying The Technical Functions of POS Solutions

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.

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Volkswagen and Labor Leaders Ink Agreement on Cost Reduction & Job Cuts

Retail Wire

After enduring months of intense discussions, Volkswagen AG and its influential labor chiefs have reached a preliminary understanding.

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Analysis: What Coupang’s acquisition means for Farfetch

Inside Retail

The retail world is abuzz with the $742 million (US$500 million) acquisition of Farfetch Holdings by South Korean e-commerce company Coupang together with investment firm Greenoaks. In a statement, Bom Kim, founder and CEO of Coupang, declared, “Farfetch is a landmark of the luxury landscape and has been a transformative force in demonstrating that online luxury is the future of luxury retail.

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Southwest Airlines and Pilots’ Union Near Agreement on New Contract

Retail Wire

After a prolonged three-year negotiation period, Southwest Airlines and its pilots' union are on the cusp of a breakthrough.

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Lessons for the retail sector from the year that was

Inside Retail

As 2023 comes to a close and we look back on the year that was – and the year ahead – the Australian retail sector is on fast-forward. Once upon a time, the festive season was the last gasp before a January slowdown. Multiple industries across the country took a much-deserved breather. But it feels like in the past decade, that break has been eroded.

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Mapping Digital Transformation: Retail’s Strategic Shift

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

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Sun-Seeking Bahamas Cruise Passengers Unexpectedly Face Boston Chill

Retail Wire

Cruise passengers seeking an escape from winter weather in the Bahamas unexpectedly faced the chill of Boston-area temperatures.

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Why retail crime rises at Christmas and how to prevent it

Inside Retail

Societal pressures and a sense of entitlement suggest that this Christmas period will be a challenge for retailers to manage theft and customer aggression. The need for continued vigilance and innovative approaches towards retail crime prevention is essential to maximise retail profits and workers’ safety. High foot traffic and crowded stores during this period make it easier for shoplifters to blend in and commit theft.

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Lidl becomes first UK supermarket to double paid maternity and adoption leave

Retail Gazette

Lidl GB has become the first supermarket to introduce 28 weeks full pay for colleagues on maternity or adoption leave. From 1 January 2024, the discount grocery giant will double paid maternity and adoption leave, with colleagues now benefiting from over six months of full-pay, up from 14 weeks. Aldi said the move will not only support parents, but also “set a new benchmark for others in the industry to follow” As part of a raft of new employment benefits , the discounter will also b

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Employee Spotlight: Meet Amar Mandal, a Talented Data Scientist & the Employee of the Year

Intelligence Node

Meet Amar Mandal, a skilled data scientist at Intelligence Node, where he blends analytical expertise with retail innovation. Amar plays a crucial role at Intelligence Node, harnessing his expertise to. The post Employee Spotlight: Meet Amar Mandal, a Talented Data Scientist & the Employee of the Year appeared first on Blog.

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The Personalization Playbook: 2024 Strategies

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.

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Frasers Group confirms cut-price deal to snap up Matchesfashion

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has confirmed a cut-price of approximately £52m to purchase Matchesfashion from Apax Partners. The takeover means heavy losses for the private equity firm, which is said to have invested roughly £600m into the business since buying it from Matchesfashion founders six years ago, according to Sky News. The deal includes refinancing around £20m of debt owed by the fashion company.

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Farfetch Bought by Coupang for $500 Million

Retail Wire

E-commerce giant Coupang has jumped in to save struggling UK-based luxury retailer Farfetch with $500 million in emergency funding.

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Brits set to owe £4bn BNPL payments in the new year

Retail Gazette

Brits are set to owe billions of pounds in the new year after using buy now pay later (BNPL) schemes to fund festivities. According to analysts, customers are predicted to spend nearly £4bn using BNPL lenders over Christmas, making it 8.8% above 2022. This will take the total amount spent this year to £17bn, pushing it up over a quarter compared to last year.

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2024 RIS Software Leaderboard

RIS News

RIS' 23rd annual look at the industry's best solution providers based on customer satisfaction rankings from retail end users. Where did your trusted partners rank?

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How Personalized Customer Experiences Drive Retail Growth and Revenue

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