Tue.Apr 15, 2025

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Navigating the Tariff Era: How Retailers can Protect Topline Revenues Without Alienating Price-Conscious Shoppers

Retail TouchPoints

Even before the U.S. imposed tariffs on 90 nations, retailers began preparing for the impact they will have on the cost of imported goods. However, to account for the additional expenses on imported goods without alienating their price-conscious customers, they will need to adjust by adopting a variety of new strategies. In recent years, inflation-driven price hikes forced shoppers to become more strategic in their spending.

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Lessons in retail tech from Sephora that companies can steal

Inside Retail

In the competitive world of beauty retail, Sephora stands out for its innovative use of technology to create personalised customer experiences. Its not just selling makeup and skincare; its using marketing technology to build relationships and make customers feel special. For Australian retailers looking to boost customer engagement and drive sales, Sephora’s approach offers some valuable lessons.

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GAIL’s Bakery Partners with Verkada to Enhance Security and Operations Across More than 170 UK Locations

Retail Focus

GAILs Bakery , renowned for bringing chef-quality sourdough bread to neighbourhoods across the UK, has partnered with Verkada , a leader in cloud-based physical security, to streamline its security and operational processes across its more than 170 locations. Led by Brett Parker, Property Director at GAILs Bakery, the bakery business has successfully deployed Verkada video security cameras, access control, and air quality sensors to enable remote management of its retail storefronts and bakeries

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How retailers can make Mother’s Day about more than flowers and chocolates

Inside Retail

Mothers Day is one of the most widely celebrated occasions in Australia, marked by expressions of gratitude and love towards mothers and maternal figures. The nature of the celebration has gradually evolved, with shifting trends and an expanding definition of motherhood. Here, I discuss the origins of Mothers Day, its participation trends and evolving celebrations, and how brands and retailers can better leverage it.

Consumer 130
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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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Why Equity Crowdfunding Could Propel Your Product Startup to New Heights

Retail Bound

In the fast-paced world of product startups, securing the right funding can often mean the difference between success and stagnation. Enter equity crowdfundinga game-changing solution for many entrepreneurs. Imagine raising the capital you need while simultaneously building a community of brand advocates. This dynamic approach not only democratizes fundraising but also offers a unique blend of capital and community.

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Top stores sign up to stay in big boost for Lincoln’s Waterside centre

Retail Focus

Three top stores have signed up to long-term stays in a big boost for Lincolns Waterside centre. H&M, Next and The Body Shop have all said they see a successful future at Waterside and want to be part of the centre for years to come. Fashion and homeware retailer H&M has said yes to a further 15 years at Waterside and is also investing in a major revamp to give the centres biggest store an exciting new look, feel and customer experience.

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5 Innovative Offer Strategies to Accelerate Retail Growth

Retail Focus

Retail is evolving quickly, and if you want to stay competitive, your offers need to do more than just entice. They should work smarter, adapt faster, and deliver value to both you and your customers. This article breaks down five innovative offer strategies that can give your retail business the edge. Keep reading to find out which tactics can help you increase conversions and drive real growth.

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Apparel business Hard Rock admits to resale price maintenance practice

Inside Retail

Apparel business Hard Rock has been caught engaging in resale price maintenance as well as making misleading representations about consumers rights. In a court-enforceable undertaking submitted to the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission, the company said it had required certain resellers not to sell its products below 10 per cent of the recommended retail price.

Apparel 130
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Future proofing Your Website for the Next Generation of Connections

Retail Focus

In the modern online environment,every retail business needs to offer high-quality web pages. Even if you offer minimal online services, being visible and professional in this space reflects how seriously you take your industry. Consistently offering high quality can also create challenges, however, especially when the requirements to keep customers happy and perfectly catered to are constantly changing.

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Poolwerx founder John O’Brien steps away as company enters ‘next chapter’

Inside Retail

Poolwerx founder and executive director John OBrien will transition to a non-executive director role with a growth and strategic capacity. In his new role, OBrien will provide ongoing oversight, guidance, and continuity to ensure the brand continues its successful trajectory, while ensuring the companys vision and values remain people and future-focused.

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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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World Emblem Blunts Tariff Impacts with Manufacturing Shift to Dominican Republic

Retail TouchPoints

President Trumps tariffs, and the uncertainty surrounding them, have caused many businesses to call a halt to major moves as they assess the situation (for example, both Klarna and StubHub have recently delayed their planned IPOs). But patch manufacturer World Emblem is moving full speed ahead with a manufacturing expansion to the Dominican Republic (DR), adding a new facility there in addition to an existing plant in Mexico that the company opened 18 years ago, as well as its U.S. manufacturing

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Snowy Mountains shopping centre sells for $13.7 million

Inside Retail

Coomas Centennial Plaza, a Coles-anchored shopping mall in the Snowy Mountains, has been sold to Brisbane-based syndicator Natgen Group. The $13.725 million deal was brokered by global commercial real estate and investment management company JLL. In 2024, neighbourhood centre transactions in Regional NSW increased by 22 per cent based on the previous year, clearly showcasing the demand from investors for regional NSW assets outside of the tightly held Sydney market, said Sebastian Fahey, JLL sen

Shopping 130
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Specialist leisure accessories brand Thule opens second UK store in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials

Retail Focus

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that Swedish premium outdoor brand, Thule, has opened in Covent Gardens Seven Dials neighbourhood. Pioneers in creating solutions to simplify lifes adventures, Thules second UK store joins Covent Gardens substantial line-up of innovative new spaces from world leading brands. Thule has opened at 72 Neal Street in a 2,100 sq ft unit, showcasing its extensive range of premium products designed to provide the perfect solution for any journey.

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250-year-old concept, Songhelou, makes international debut in Chinatown London

A1 Retail

Shaftesbury Capitalhas announced that renowned heritage concept,Songhelou, has opened its first-ever restaurant outside of China, in Chinatown London. Spanning 3,600 sq ft at 22 Wardour Street, across three floors and with 144 covers, Songhelous international debut in Chinatown London allows visitors to choose from a range of soup-based noodle dishes, that have been popular in China for centuries.

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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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Financial Management Strategies for Small Business Owners: Navigating Cash Flow and Growth

Retail Focus

Small company owners must practice effective financial management to successfully navigate the intricacies of cash flow and attain sustainable development. Adopting a certified financial planner guarantees the company’s stability and growth potential in a cutthroat industry. Tools like Albert.com offer comprehensive budgeting, saving, and investing solutions for personal financial management, helping individuals achieve their financial goals.

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Thule Opens Second UK Store in Covent Garden’s Seven Dials

365 Retail

Swedish outdoor brand Thule has opened its second UK store in Covent Gardens Seven Dials neighbourhood. Located at 72 Neal Street, the 2,100 sq ft retail space showcases the brands full range of travel and outdoor products, from roof racks and bike carriers to backpacks, pushchairs and luggage. The launch further strengthens Covent Gardens reputation as a hub for performance-focused and lifestyle brands.

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Lowe’s Purchases Interior Design and Installation Provider for $1.325 Billion

Retail TouchPoints

Lowes has entered a definitive agreement to purchase Artisan Design Group (ADG) for $1.325 billion , which the home improvement retailer will finance with cash on hand. The acquisition is expected to close in Q2 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. ADG, which generated approximately $1.8 billion in FY 2024 revenue, provides design, distribution and installation services for interior surface finishes through a national network of more than 3,200 specialized installers and longstanding r

Finance 147
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Asda poaches Tesco veteran for new chief people officer

Retail Gazette

Asda has named Tesco veteran James Goodman as its new chief people officer. The supermarket said Goodman will join Asda later this year from Tesco, where he spent twelve years, most recently as the people director for the UK and ROI, responsible for all people related matters, including labour relations, recruitment, learning, early careers and health and wellbeing.

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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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The Power of Dynamic Targeting in eCommerce Campaigns

365 Retail

Dynamic targeting has become a vital strategy for online retailers who want to stand out and drive real results. If you want to increase conversions without slashing prices or relying on broad discounts, this approach offers a smarter way forward. Continue reading to find out how dynamic targeting can transform your eCommerce campaigns! What Is Dynamic Targeting?

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Investing in women leaders: Why ongoing development is non-negotiable

Inside Retail

Leadership development is essential for business success and elevating women in the workplace, but many retailers stop investing in training once employees reach a certain level, warns Jennifer DiPasquale, president and co-founder of Women in Retail Leadership Circle. At some point in your career, you get to a place where there’s no more training, DiPasquale says.

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Proven Marketing Strategies That Keep Consumers Coming Back

365 Retail

For many, growth means an increase in new customers. Focusing exclusively on generating new customers, however, can rapidly deplete cash reserves and endanger a companys financial stability. To prevent this, it is essential to balance customer growth with powerful retention strategies. Research shows that retaining current customers is not only more cost-effective but also increases the likelihood of repeat purchases and higher spending over time.

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JD.com trials UK supermarket website

Retail Gazette

Chinese ecommerce giant JD.com has test launched a UK grocery supermarket website, called Joybuy. The website sells full ranges of ambient and frozen foods, baby, household, beverages, beauty, personal care, health, pet and nicotine products from major brands Additionally, hundreds of Morrisons own-label products are available to purchase across several categories.

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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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Leadership Lessons from Dr. Adam Grant

LS Retail

iStock/fongleon356 Last December, I [Dr. Adam Grant] asked my students at Wharton to nominate and vote on topics for our final class. The runaway top choice was leadership lessons from Elon Musk. Its become a hot topic among the corporate elite, too. As an organizational psychologist, Ive long admired the boldness of Mr. Musks vision, the intensity of his drive and the impact of his innovations in cars and rockets.

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Bravissimo CEO exits as new owner reshapes leadership for growth

Retail Gazette

Bravissimo CEO Leanne Cahill has stepped down following an internal restructure that will see the business more closely aligned with its new parent company Wacoal Europe. The move comes just months after Wacoal Europe, which owns lingerie labels including Freya, Fantasie, Elomi and Wacoal, acquired Bravissimo in a deal that kept the brand operating as a standalone business from its Leamington Spa base.

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US sleep brand Bedgear launches in Australia with Sydney flagship

Inside Retail

US-based performance sleep brand Bedgear is expanding into Australia with its flagship store at Warringah Mall in Sydneys Brookvale and a national rollout through Snooze. The store, supported by a partnership with Ironman Australia, offers products featuring temperature-regulating materials such as moisture-wicking Dri-Tec and cooling Ver-Tex layers.

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Retailers face £464 million loss due to lost parcels, Metapack reports

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! New data from Metapack reveals that UK and European retailers suffered an estimated 464 million in lost parcel revenue during the peak shopping season (September December). While only 0.06% of parcels were officially declared lost, this still amounts to approximately 3.72 million missing items over the four-month period.

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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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Asda one ups Morrisons by slashing Easter veg prices for all shoppers

Retail Gazette

Asda has slashed prices on key Easter vegetables to just 8p from today, offering the deal to all customers with no loyalty card required. Running from 15 to 21 April, the grocer’ s promotion includes five core lines: 1kg of carrots, one swede, 360g of broccoli, 500g of parsnips, and 2kg of white potatoes all priced at 8p each, in-store and online while stocks last.

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Foot Locker Adds New Customer Data Platform to Enhance Personalization

Retail TouchPoints

Foot Locker has selected the Ometria customer data platform (CDP) as the retailer seeks to deepen relationships with customers by delivering more personalized experiences at scale, fueled by the data Foot Locker collects via its customer loyalty program and other sources. We are thrilled to work with Ometria as our CDP to unify our customer data we’re gathering through programs like our enhanced FLX Rewards loyalty program, to unlock deeper, more meaningful connections with our customers,&

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Why Luxury Brands Are Partnering with Casinos to Attract High Rollers

Retail Focus

In the world of high-end luxury, exclusivity and experience are everything. Luxury brands are no longer just focused on showcasing their latest collections in opulent boutiques or flashy advertising campaigns. Instead, many are turning to casinos to tap into an elite, high-spending demographicthe high rollers. These individuals arent just purchasing items; they are looking for an experience, a way to express their success, status, and taste.

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Gymshark named as one of social media’s most-loved activewear brands

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Gymshark, one of the UKs fastest-growing companies, has been named among social medias favourite activewear brands globally inWeArismasSports and Athleisure 2025 State of Influencereport. Its community-led engagement strategy has generated influencer content that garnered over 907.3 million engagements, outshining heritage labels Adidas and Nike.

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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.