November, 2024

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The state of insolvencies in the retail industry

Retail Focus

The British high street has endured a string of high-profile insolvencies in recent years, leading to the demise of household retail brands. Retailers are fighting to stay out of the red as record-high inflation, rising rent, the cost of living crisis, and growing popularity for ecommerce dent already reduced budgets. Chris Bristow, a company liquidation and corporate rescue specialist at Real Business Rescue, examines the financial health of retail businesses under the current climate.

Consumer 321
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30-Year Verizon Veteran Shares How Retailers can Turn ‘Just Jobs’ into Careers

Retail TouchPoints

Kevin Zavaglia took his first job with Verizon in 1994 as a junior sales associate, back when the company was still Bell Atlantic. Flash forward 30 years, and Zavaglia has spent nearly his entire career at the retailer, rising up the ranks to become Chief Sales Officer. However, Zavaglia’s single-employer experience is becoming less and less common, particularly in retail, where historically high attrition rates hover at around 60%.

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McDonald’s Is Selling $1 Orders of Chicken McNuggets Until December

Retail Wire

McDonald's is continuing a push to improve consumer sentiment by offering some improved value propositions, this time in the form of steeply discounted Chicken McNuggets.

Consumer 258
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Retailers warn National Insurance hike makes job cuts ‘inevitable’

Retail Gazette

The UK’s biggest retailers have warned of “inevitable” job losses as a result of the government’s decision to increase National Insurance. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has been warned that jobs will be lost, stores will shut, and prices will have to rise due to the hike. Reeves increased the rate of employers’ National Insurance by 1.2% to 15% from April, and also lowered the level where employers begin paying on each staff member’s salary from £9

Shopping 124
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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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Citing Costs, Saks Fifth Avenue Dims the Lights on its Holiday Show

Retail TouchPoints

After more than 20 years, Saks Fifth Avenue is cancelling the renowned holiday light show at its Fifth Avenue flagship store. The light show has become something of a cultural fixture in Manhattan during the holiday season, serving as the perfect complement to Saks’ famed holiday window displays as well as the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. Last year’s show, sponsored by Christian Dior, was the retailer’s most dynamic yet.

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Toys ‘R’ Us posts higher sales in October quarter

Inside Retail

Toys ‘R’ Us said its sales grew in the October quarter and expects further growth in the holiday trading period. The toy retailer’s sales during the three months ended October surged 168 per cent, or by $329,000, from the previous quarter, driven by its e-commerce performance. It also noted that Riot continued to perform well and expects the brand’s revenue to accelerate in the coming quarters. “With our streamlined operations and strong inventory position heading

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Top 7 In-Store Retail Media Trends to Watch in 2025

Tokinomo

In-store retail media has evolved into a critical tool for engaging customers at the point of purchase. In today’s digital-first world, where e-commerce dominates, the physical store remains a vital touchpoint for brands to connect with shoppers in immersive and memorable ways. From dynamic digital displays to voice-activated promotions, in-store media bridges the gap between digital innovations and tangible experiences, offering a unique opportunity to influence purchasing decisions in real-tim

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Domino’s Pizza Stake Purchased by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Group

Retail Wire

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Group has purchased a huge stake in Domino's Pizza, and the investor's reasons for the purchase may be surprising.

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Homebase in administration: What went wrong and what next?

Retail Gazette

Homebase plunged into administration today, appointing Teneo, which immediately sold the DIY retailer’s brand, IP and up to 70 UK stores to The Range and Wilko owner CDS Superstores. But where did it go wrong for Homebase, and what will happen next? Retail Gazette explores. Homebase’s fall from grace Homebase’s demise was kickstarted by what GlobalData senior data analyst Matt Walton terms, the “disastrous ownership” by Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers.

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How Network Detection and Response Can Protect Retailers from Cybercrime

Retail TouchPoints

The past year has been brutal for big retailers when it comes to cybercrime. Breaches have compromised customer records, disrupted online sales and caused network outages that impacted customer deliveries. It’s not as though these companies had no defenses. They did. The alarming reality is that hackers are adopting new methodologies to overcome traditional defensive technologies – and are succeeding.

Checkout 290
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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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Small retailers expect upcoming holiday trading to be ‘more essential than ever’

Inside Retail

Australian retailers forecast a $69.7 billion boost in the lead up to Christmas, expecting this coming trading season will be “more essential than ever.” The Australian Retailers Association (ARA) and American Express Small Retail Index shows that 44 per cent of small retailers are expecting sales to be slightly up or significantly up from last year.

ATS 277
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Merry Hill hits its stride as Footasylum Opens upsized store

Retail Focus

Merry Hill has announced that Footasylum, the leading streetwear retailer, has launched its upsized store at the centre, tripling its footprint. Combining its existing unit with the adjacent space, Footasylum has expanded its presence at Merry Hill from 3,000 to 10,000 sq ft. The upsized store introduces innovative features, including a mobile payment system that speeds up checkout, new digital screens, and a refreshed fit-out.

Checkout 297
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Natural materials create "a sense of refuge" in Kyiv boutique Friends of Fashion

Dezeen

A curved bench and sinuous display rails meander through the interconnected spaces of this fashion store in Kyiv , Ukraine, which interior designer Katerina Kovalenko has conceived as a calming sanctuary for shoppers. Kovalenko's studio 725 developed the concept store for Friends of Fashion – a Ukrainian clothing brand that wanted its first physical space to complement its simple and elegant womenswear collection. 725 has created a concept store for Friends of Fashion in Kyiv A palette of natura

Boutique 115
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The Real Price of a Data Breach in Retail

Retail TouchPoints

Businesses today operate in a fast-moving cyber threat landscape. As digital operations become more complex and cybercriminals launch increasingly sophisticated phishing and malware attacks, data breaches have become common occurrences. In 2024 alone, several high-profile companies, including Dell, AT&T, Ticketmaster and Disney have suffered the consequences of a major breach.

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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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The Power of Employer Branding in Attracting Top Retail Talent

Retail TouchPoints

When you think of any major retailer, you probably immediately imagine a personality, a distinct vibe, or something about the company that sets it apart in the marketplace. This branding isn’t just about appealing to customers but also is a way to attract top-notch employees as an employer. Employer branding refers to how a company showcases its culture, mission and values to potential employees, creating an appealing image that attracts quality retail talent.

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Puma Brings Immersive Entertainment Flagship to Las Vegas

Retail TouchPoints

Puma has unveiled a new flagship concept that includes activations, customization services and other tech-powered elements. Located at the BLVD , a new retail and entertainment destination in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, this is the global sports brand’s second U.S. flagship. The 25,000-square-foot space spans three floors and represents Puma’s much broader “brand elevation strategy,” according to Arne Freundt, CEO of Puma.

Apparel 311
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The Login Effect: The Role of Customer Authentication Psychology in Retail Success 

Retail TouchPoints

Picture this: You’re about to buy something online, but the site doesn’t remember who you are, so you go buy your item elsewhere, or just not at all. What might sound like an unlikely scenario happens all the time – a FIDO Alliance study found that U.S. consumers abandon a purchase and stop accessing an online service because they can’t remember their passwords 4.76 times per day on average.

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Lesson from APAC: Social Commerce is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Retail TouchPoints

For the last half decade, U.S. and European retailers have observed – and, often, participated in – the social-commerce explosion happening in China and elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) while wondering if, when, and to what extent the same thing would happen at home. The “if” and “when” are now clear. TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and others have enabled in-app purchasing during videos and livestreams (the most popular flavor of social commerce in APAC) that WeChat, Taobao, Douvin and ot

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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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How QR Codes Modernize Holiday Shopping Experiences

Retail TouchPoints

1WorldSync’s 2024 Consumer Product Content Benchmark report revealed that 64% of shoppers have scanned a QR code on a product while shopping in-store. With a quick click on a smartphone, these customers have accessed hidden content, exclusive deals and lightning-fast checkouts. The result? Static shelves are morphing into dynamic, interactive shopping hubs, bridging the physical-digital divide in retail.

Shopping 275
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Hanna Andersson’s Secret Digital Sauce: Personal Shoppers and a Relentless Focus on the Customer

Retail TouchPoints

The decision to close all its stores in 2020 could have been seen as a rare failure for beloved childrenswear brand Hanna Andersson. But instead, the 40 -year-old company turned its new digital-first status into an opportunity to enhance the customer experience by: Transitioning store managers into online personal shoppers who offer one-on-one shopping and styling advice; Leveraging its newly honed ecommerce chops to launch a resale marketplace that has made Hanna Andersson the most resold child

Boutique 289
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Click, Connect, Convert: How Live Events Integrate with Omnichannel Retail Strategies

Retail TouchPoints

With retail sales bouncing around as the UK economy chugs along, marketers in the sector are seeking the best way to keep their customers happy and prevent them from spending their money in another store. They have good reason to fear a fall in retention — savvy shoppers are scouting around for the best deals , so it’s no wonder building loyalty may seem harder than ever.

Consumer 277
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Petco Helps Welcome Furry New Family Members, Chewy Sponsors Free Adoptions

Retail TouchPoints

Petco has introduced a new “Welcome to the family” program, available at stores beginning Nov. 25, 2024. The free booklets, for both dogs and cats, include practical guidance and shopping checklists created by the retailer’s veterinary, training and grooming teams, plus exclusive pet services and savings on Petco-owned brands. And just in case that’s not enough adorableness for you, Chewy has brought back its Chewy Claus letter-writing campaign.

Location 272
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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Study: How Retailers are Managing the Tug-of-War Between Employee Satisfaction and Profitability

Retail TouchPoints

Employee satisfaction plays a central role in store operations. After all, when employees are happy and engaged, they create more productive and profitable store environments. But one survey found that nearly one in every two frontline employees are unhappy with their job due to low pay, inflexible hours, poor leadership and a lack of growth opportunities.

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How Programmatic Media Buying is Leveling the Playing Field for Smaller Retail Media Networks

Retail TouchPoints

It’s hard to find a topic that all marketers agree on, but if there is one, it’s likely that programmatic ad buying continues to be a dominant channel for advertisers looking to scale. In fact, it will make up the vast majority — over 91% — of the current U.S. digital advertising spend in 2024, according to eMarketer. With programmatic spend increasing and the platforms themselves launching more advanced services for advertisers of all sizes, there has never been a better opportunity for smalle

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We Need to Talk About Porch Piracy 

Retail TouchPoints

In an era when online shopping is not just a convenience but a way of life, a new menace is plaguing consumers and retailers alike: porch piracy. Our recent research reveals that over a third of U.S. online shoppers have fallen victim to this form of theft within the past year. The situation is particularly dire for younger generations, with over half of Gen Z consumers reporting that they have experienced porch piracy in the last 12 months.

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How Marketers Can Use the Holidays to Set a Foundation for Long-Term Loyalty

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon’s summer Prime Day sales event now serves to kickstart many retailers’ summertime sales and back-to-school marketing efforts, and is generally pivoting marketers’ planning calendars. This year, peak Halloween marketing time, usually running from mid-September to early October, turned into “Summerween” -themed sales and product drops. And now, brand marketing teams wonder if the holiday marketing calendar has been elongated too.

Marketing 278
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SEO vs. PPC: Which Strategy Is Best for Your Business?

When it comes to driving traffic and growing your online presence, businesses often ask: SEO or PPC—what’s the better choice? This guide breaks down the key differences between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases. Whether you’re looking for long-term organic growth or immediate visibility through paid ads, we’ll help you determine which strategy—or combination of both—is right for your business.

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Target Taps into Creator-Led Commerce with Linktree Partnership

Retail TouchPoints

Target is tapping into the $250 billion creator economy through a new partnership with Linktree, a tool that allows influencers and independent creators to seamlessly connect their social content to product revenue. Just in time for peak holiday shopping, Target is joining Linktree Shops, the company’s social commerce marketplace, which already features 35+ brands including Nike , Fanatics and Savage x Fenty.

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Holiday Shopping Trends and Payments Innovations: Experience as Competitive Advantage

Retail TouchPoints

As the holiday shopping season approaches, retailers face increased pressure to facilitate a seamless and secure shopping experience. This is an opportunity to not only capture share of wallet but also build lasting customer loyalty and trust. Payments technology is central to the shopping experience. Innovations like biometrics and tap-to-pay have transformed how, when and where consumers shop.

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3 Hidden Traps for Retailers this Holiday Season

Retail TouchPoints

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Odds are you haven’t, since only 32% of U.S. shoppers start in October or earlier. However, this year, you and retailers are facing the same problem: a quirk of the calendar means there are only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, five fewer days than usual, so retailers have a number of tricky balancing acts they’ll need to pull off to make sure it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

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Macy’s Delays Q3 Earnings to Investigate Financial Irregularity

Retail TouchPoints

Macy’s reported preliminary earnings for its Q3 2024, which ended Nov. 2, 2024, but has delayed the full release of results while it investigates an incident in which it appears an employee hid millions of dollars of expenses for nearly three years. The irregularity was uncovered as the retailer was preparing its financial statements for the current quarter.

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Staying Ahead of UFLPA Enforcement: Best Practices for Retail Supply Chains

Speaker: Ethan Woolley, Director at Kharon

This webinar will explore how companies can proactively address compliance risks–rather than reactively responding to–UFLPA enforcement actions. Ethan Woolley will provide insights into the latest CBP enforcement trends, entity list updates, and industries under increased scrutiny, with a look at potential shifts under the Trump administration. Ethan will also explore how predictive data and strategic due diligence can help organizations stay ahead of regulatory challenges and strengthen complia