August, 2021

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July retail sales up 11.5% despite consumers traveling, dining out

Retail Dive

Growth compared to 2019 outpaced the year-over-year rise, partly because shoppers are flush with savings thanks to governmental support.

Consumer 138
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Don’t miss out – it’s now or never for digital transformation

Inside Retail

We’re living in an era that has seen profound technological advances change the face of retail. Just a decade ago, Instagram and Afterpay were barely in their inception phase – now, it’s hard to imagine any B2C business not taking advantage of these tools. As new tech continues to emerge, it’s becoming increasingly clear that businesses keeping pace with progress are setting themselves up to thrive, while those struggling to keep up will inevitably fall behind.

Boutique 364
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5 Reasons Why Your Business Should Focus on Customer Data

Retail TouchPoints

There’s no doubt that digital innovation is revolutionizing the retail landscape — just imagine that today, the average person produces some 1.7 MB of data every second. Leaving an information footprint everywhere we go in the online world, it’s those that can make sense of this data that get ahead of the competition. Peter Drucker, the father of modern business management, is attributed with an iconic quote: “If you can’t measure it, you can’t improve it.

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Mango opens new flagship store in Oxford Street

Retail Focus

Fashion retailer Mango has launched a new flagship store in London. The new space will be located at 223-235 Oxford Street, taking the total number of stores in the United Kingdom to 43. The aim is to create a functional, relaxed and welcoming space that promotes and simplifies the interaction between the customer and store staff, as well as improving the distribution of collections.

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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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Allbirds rolling out eco-friendly clothing to pair with wool sneakers

Retail Wire

Allbirds, famous for its wool and sneakers, is rolling out a new line of athletic wear also using wool and yarn made from eucalyptus trees. Allbirds co-CEO Joey Zwillinger said that the new line, which was in development for two years, offers both performance and eco-friendliness. “We think we can exceed the performance expectations of what’s out there,” he said.

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Retail advertising beyond the cookies?

Tokinomo

Everybody loves cookies. However, in this article, we are going to talk about a different kind of cookie. Online advertising is not going to look the same after 2023. Why? Because Google announced last year that it is letting go of third-party cookies. How is this going to affect FMCG brands and retailers? What can they do to make sure that they still offer personalized experiences to shoppers?

More Trending

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Online only supermarket Geezy Go launches in Sydney

Inside Retail

New on-demand food and grocery service Geezy Go has launched a digital supermarket serving Sydney, aiming to compete with Woolworths and Coles. . The online supermarket offers an under 20-minute delivery service, promising products priced similar to or lower than its rivals. The e-commerce store houses a comprehensive range of local and branded food and grocery products, ranging from plant-based food, pantry & staples, pharmacy to cleaning supplies. .

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Returns: The Hidden Opportunity for Retail

Retail TouchPoints

Returns provide brands and retailers the opportunity to delight their customers. But not all brands and retailers are seizing this opportunity. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the U.S. market saw over $400B in returns in 2020. If this dollar value were a proxy for revenues, the returns channel would be the second largest global retailer behind Walmart.

Returns 336
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Space NK immersive beauty experience in Old Spitalfields Market, London

Retail Focus

Space NK brought their ‘My Beauty Space’ campaign to life with a pop-up experience in Old Spitalfields Market between Friday 30 July – Sunday 1 August. The space allowed visitors to discover new products, curate the ultimate beauty shelfie and enter an infinity room where lights and a magical mirror can become the backdrop for a photo opportunity. .

Marketing 280
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Mattress Firm may close more stores but sees a turnaround in progress

Retail Wire

Mattress Firm, which took a huge sales hit when it was forced to close stores last year due to the pandemic, has said that it has seen a rebound in its business due to the dissemination of federal stimulus dollars and an easing on COVID-19 related restrictions. The retailer’s CEO, John Eck, said the company will continue to open some stores and close others as it seeks the right balance for the market.

Marketing 246
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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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Hard Seltzer - The trendiest beverage on the market

Tokinomo

Nobody knew what hard seltzer was back in 2012 and now it has become the most popular alcoholic beverage in the United States. How can this new beverage takedown well-known giants like wine and whiskey? Marketing might be the differentiator.

Marketing 246
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MAP Violations: How, When, & Why You Need to Monitor & Eliminate Them

Intelligence Node

eCommerce has grown tremendously in the last year and a half. While it was already on its way to mass adoption, the pandemic further accelerated the shift to digital and birthed many first-time online shoppers. The growth in eCommerce has opened many new avenues for brands and is a window into the future of retail. […]. The post MAP Violations: How, When, & Why You Need to Monitor & Eliminate Them appeared first on Blog.

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Harvey Norman hits record profit in Australia

Inside Retail

Harvey Norman has delivered another strong year in spite of the Covid-19 crisis, with total revenue up 15.3 per cent to $9.49 billion, and profit after tax up 75 per cent to $841.4 million. Earnings at the furniture and homewares business also spiked during the year, growing 54 per cent to $1.45 billion, with Harvey Norman’s Board recommending a payout of a fully-franked dividend of 15 cents per share.

Shopping 305
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Exclusive Q&A: How Stojo’s Sustainable Cups Spread from the MOMA Store to Target

Retail TouchPoints

Jurrien Swarts, CEO, Stojo. If you want a tutorial in how to be an environmentally responsible company, not just in one or two areas but end to end, take a look at collapsible cup and container manufacturer/retailer Stojo. The fast-growing company applies circular principles not just to its products but to their component parts, extending even to how those parts are fitted together — because no glue is used, the individual elements can be separated and placed in their own recycling streams.

Consumer 336
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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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Amid Rising Prices, Demand for Fair Prices is Rising Too

Retail Focus

For those retailers creaking back to healthy business levels after the seesaw demand cycles, supply chain upheaval, Brexit trade disruption and forced store closures, an unwelcome new specter is rearing its head: inflation. According to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) food price index, global food prices rose consecutively for the 12th month in May 2021, reaching its highest level since May 2014.

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Target opening 100 Disney shops ahead of Christmas

Retail Wire

Target said it will grow the number of locations that house Disney shops from 53 at present to 160 by the end of the year. The retailer is also releasing its Bullseye’s Top Toys list with 50 toys and games, including 22 that are exclusive to the chain.

Shopping 246
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EXPERT ROUND-UP: All about the customer

Tokinomo

We begin this expert round-up with a simple question: What is the most important part of any business? If you thought about the customer, then you are right! This is why we decided to ask 4 of the best retail experts their opinion about customer satisfaction and experience.

Shopping 246
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5 Best Practices to Improve Your Digital Shelf Performance

Intelligence Node

The Fight for Customer’s Attention has Intensified The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the face of retail forever. eCommerce quickly took the center stage as more brands and retailers were coaxed to move their businesses online or take the omni-channel route. The number of online stores grew rapidly and with that the competition to get in […]. The post 5 Best Practices to Improve Your Digital Shelf Performance appeared first on Blog.

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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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$24m investment into recycling to help retailers hit sustainability targets

Inside Retail

The Federal and NSW Governments announced a joint $24 million investment into greater recycling capabilities across the state on Monday, a decision which will see 22 projects greenlit with the intention of reducing waste. ARA boss Paul Zahra said the scheme will provide retailers with more options to recycle, and will go a long way to help the industry make more sustainable decisions.

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Q2 2021 Roundup: How Target, Macy’s and Foot Locker Harnessed Consumer Optimism

Retail TouchPoints

Retail rode strong into Q2 2021 as shoppers returned to stores even as digital sales remained elevated. The spring and early summer was an optimistic time for many consumers who finally emerged from lockdowns looking to refresh their wardrobes and find items suited for smaller local outings during the warmer months. While there were success stories across the industry, three retailers stood out with strong, expectation-topping results: It’s no surprise that Target had another strong quarter, but

Consumer 328
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More independent brands sign leases to open in Wembley Park

Retail Focus

Innovative independent businesses are rushing to sign leases in Wembley Park, London’s globally renowned entertainment district and 365-day neighbourhood , with two further deals made in the last week – including one that already has a space in the destination. Organic goods specialist The Grocery Store has chosen Wembley Park as the place to expand its business, with the local, family-run firm signing a lease on a 1,400 sq ft shop.

Fashion 190
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Walmart says corporate and management-level workers must get COVID-19 vaccine

Retail Wire

Walmart has decided that its corporate staff and management-level employees must get vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 4. The company has also begun a phased-in approach to bringing employees back to the office who have been working remotely during the pandemic.

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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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Hybrid Retail: Find the right mix of channels for your shoppers

Tokinomo

Retailers and brands are constantly adapting to new trends. When the pandemic started to affect the way we live and shop, retailers knew that things would look different after restrictions were lifted. However, nobody expected this massive digitalization in all industries.

Shopping 246
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What you see is what you get … to protect

Cisco Retail

In my first nearly 90 days since joining Cisco , I’ve spoken with customers from around the world. And one thing that I continue to hear? The shift to a more distributed workforce is driving the need for anywhere, anytime access to resources, wherever they exist. Prior to 2020, many treated “digital transformation” as merely a buzzword — a low priority, at best.

Location 145
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Snap lockdowns weighing on ‘battle-weary’ retailers, public

Inside Retail

Australia’s battle with the Delta variant of Covid-19 is continuing to shut businesses down, with the state of Victoria re-entering lockdown, rejoining New South Wales and Queensland in shutting non-essential retail and restricting citizens movements in light of surging cases. Victoria’s state premier Dan Andrews said he would have preferred to wait to reintroduce restrictions, but that, as seen in Sydney’s case, they only get one chance to act before the more infectious strain gets away from he

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Zebra Technologies Acquires SaaS Forecasting and Merchandising Solution

Retail TouchPoints

Zebra Technologies will acquire antuit.ai , a provider of AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions designed to assist with forecasting and merchandising in the retail and CPG industries. Antuit.ai will serve as the planning and demand forecasting module within Zebra’s retail software portfolio. Antuit.ai aims to help users ensure they have the right product in the right place, at the right time, at the right price, based on the current state of the supply chain, store inventory and cons

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What Your Financial Statements Are Telling You—And How to Listen!

Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker

Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.

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Cadogan signs Soho Home Studio flagship

Retail Focus

Cadogan today announces the signing of Soho Home Studio to the King’s Road, Chelsea – set to open in September 2021. This will be Soho Home’s first flagship for the homeware brand from Soho House. In addition to showcasing Soho Home’s collections, the interiors destination will offer a new retail concept, providing access to interior design services, a programme of workshops and events, and a rotating gallery of member collaborations for customers to discover and enjoy.

Location 190
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Delta variant takes a bite out of July’s retail sales

Retail Wire

Retail sales in July fell 1.1 percent as a surge of COVID-19 cases connected primarily to the Delta variant made Americans more cautious about shopping in stores. Consumers cut back their spending at retailers selling clothing, furniture and sporting goods, according to Commerce Department data. Economists had expected a 0.3 percent decline in July.

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Ten Chinese bookshops that display books in imaginative ways

Dezeen

From shops that display books on tree trunk columns to stores that reflect books all over the walls, we've rounded up ten bookshops in China that exhibit books in non-traditional ways. Chongqing Zhongshuge Bookstore, Chongqing, by X+Living. Mirrored ceilings and zigzag staircases create the disorientating interior of this bookstore in southwest China designed by Shanghai-based studio X+Living.

Location 145
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Deploying the Cisco Catalyst 9104 Stadium Antenna—AKA the Catalyst 9130 AP on steroids!

Cisco Retail

Cisco Catalyst 9104 in landscape orientation on second story roof. Cisco recently asked me to test out a new access point/antenna combination called the Cisco Catalyst 9104 Stadium Antenna. I agreed but I was not at all prepared for what I was about to receive! To make a long story short—these things came on a pallet. They are huge, and for good reason.

Outdoor 145
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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.