April, 2025

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Why social media and the digital experience remain critical for in-store retail

Inside Retail

In the early years of online shopping, bricks-and-mortar retailers were terrified about “showrooming” This was the idea that consumers would browse products in stores – touch them, try them on – and then go and buy them cheaply online. But the reality in 2025 is that the reverse is happening in Australia. According to recent Publicis Sapient research while online is growing as a source of sales, the majority of sales (86 per cent) still result from stores.

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A Practical Guide for Brands and Retailers: Managing Tariff Uncertainty

Wiser

US tariff changes can throw off your costs and squeeze your margins. Dont wait for policy shifts and focus on what you can control. This guide provides a practical framework on how to limit exposure to tariff-induced uncertainty and keep your core operations solid. 1. Spot weak links in your supply chain A robust supply chain is your first line of defense.

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How To Choose the Right Packaging Partner For Your Retail Business

Retail Minded

Youve poured your heart into creating a product. Say, a handmade candle or a trendy snack bar, and its finally ready to hit the shelves. Youre excited to see it in customers hands, but then the first shipment arrives at their doors. The boxes are crushed, the labels are smudged, or worse, the product inside is broken. Suddenly, your dream launch turns into a flood of complaints, and all that hard work feels wasted.

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Why Independent Retail Still Wins for Emerging CPG Brands

Rangeme

While many entrepreneurs dream of their products dancing beneath the fluorescent lights of a national chain, the reality behind those dreams often carries a cost. Hidden among the towering pallets and pristine endcaps are pitfalls that few discuss: slotting fees that siphon margins, chargebacks that gnaw at profits, and a glacial approval process designed less for innovation than for inertia.

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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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UK shoppers prioritise lasting and meaningful gifts this Mother’s Day as furniture and gadgets rise in revenue

A1 Retail

Furniture and Homewares revenue increased by 22 percent year-on-year. Gifts, Gadgets & Gaming saw a 65 percent revenue rise per domain. Jewellery mobile orders comprised 81 percent of total purchases. Health, Beauty & Cosmetics revenue declined by 19 percent. Mothers Day 2025 has highlighted a significant shift in UK consumer behaviour, with a clear move towards thoughtful and enduring gifts.

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Moving People: How to Engage Audiences Through Direct Mail and Digital

Retail TouchPoints

Look around. Smartphones are practically an extension of our hands. Were bombarded by thousands of digital messages daily, and cutting through the noise has never been more challenging. Yet despite the digital deluge, one channel continues to surprise marketers with its ability to connect, resonate and engage. You guessed it, mail. Combine it with the precision and scale of digital and youve got a recipe for audience engagement thats as powerful as it is personal.

Marketing 284

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Are Product Images Vital for Brick-and-Mortar Stores?

Retail Focus

Regarding marketing and selling products to consumers, product imagery is unquestionably one of the most important selling points. When considering the prevalence and dominance of e-commerce and digital shopping channels, traditional brick-and-mortar retail stores may question where this leaves them. There is an argument to be made regarding the benefits of seeing physical products up close and testing them in action, which e-commerce does not offer.

Returns 162
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The Growing Demand for Healthy Convenience: What Retailers Need To Know

Retail Minded

Shoppers are looking for faster ways to eat better. Its not a passing trendits a response to packed schedules, growing nutritional awareness, and a stronger focus on long-term wellness. For independent retailers, especially those without the margin for guesswork, this shift signals a change in how product selection, inventory, and customer engagement need to evolve.

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Inmates go to Iceland as supermarket opens UK’s first ‘in-prison’ store

Retail Gazette

Iceland has opened the UKs first in-prison convenience store at HMP Oakwood, the largest prison in England, offering inmates the opportunity to gain work experience while aiding their rehabilitation. The frozen food specialist ‘s store, which is part of a new marketplace within the prison, allows inmates to use Monopoly-style money earned through good behaviour to purchase groceries, including branded products such as Chicago Town pizzas and Ben & Jerrys ice creamitems typically unavai

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KYC Strategies That Help E-Retail Platforms Mitigate Fraud

365 Retail

In todays fast-paced digital marketplace, e-retail platforms face growing threats from fraudulent activities that compromise revenue and customer trust. Know Your Customer (KYC) strategies have become powerful tools to verify user identities, detect suspicious behaviour, and ensure regulatory compliance. By implementing effective KYC protocols, businesses can significantly reduce risks and foster a safer shopping environment.

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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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Walgreens to Pay up to $350 Million to Settle DOJ Opioid Lawsuit

Retail TouchPoints

Walgreens will pay $300 million to settle a U.S. Department of Justice civil suit, filed in January 2025 , that had accused the retailer of dispensing millions of unlawful prescriptions for opioids. The pharmacy retailer will have to pay an additional $50 million if the company is sold, merged or transferred prior to the 2032 fiscal year, according to a statement by the DOJ, which had filed a similar suit in December 2024 against Walgreens competitor CVS.

Planning 147
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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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You’ve Got a Retail Startup and Zero Cash—Now What? 

Retail Minded

So, youve launched a retail business with little more than a dream, a half-maxed credit card, and a lot of caffeine. You’re not alone. Most retail founders start with almost nothing. Zero cash isnt the end, its the start of a very specific kind of hustle. What matters now is how smart you get with your next move. What you do right now, when the stakes are high and the funds are low, will shape everything.

Finance 52
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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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How Tesco plans to retain its crown as price wars ramp up

Retail Gazette

Competition in the grocery sector is heating up as Tesco revealed it was lowering its profit guidance for the year ahead to give it the firepower it needs to respond to increased market pressures. The supermarket giant shaved as much as 4m off its expectations for the forthcoming yearas chief executive Ken Murphy looks to safeguard the grocer’s market share of 28.5% – its highest level since 2016. “In the last few months, we have seen a further increase in the competitive inten

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How to Reverse Declining Customer Satisfaction

Hyken

One of our subscribers asked, How can I reverse our companys declining customer satisfaction ratings? Not knowing specifics about the company, its customer feedback, how long the scores have declined, and other details makes it a difficult question to answer. Still, I felt compelled to share something that could help. What I came up with is a list of three to-dos that any company should use to find out whats causing a downward trend.

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Why Store Closures Present Opportunity for Retail Real Estate

Retail TouchPoints

In the first quarter each year, announcements of store closings often fuel speculation about the state of physical retail and the strength of the industry. In fact, the marketplaces industry, and brick-and-mortar retail specifically, is healthy, with underlying metrics demonstrating that demand for space continues to outpace supply. In the competition for consumer dollars, stores remain a crucial part of a successful omnichannel strategy and there is significant opportunity in the current marke

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Anko Philippines’ country manager Rachel Turner on building the brand abroad

Inside Retail

Long before she took the helm as country manager of Anko Philippines, Rachel Turners retail journey began with a childhood steeped in the rhythms of customer service, from making tea for salon patrons and swapping pocket change for comics to learning the nuances of human connection from behind the counter. With a career that has spanned leadership roles at Country Road, Aldi and Kmart Australia, Turner brings a rare blend of operational excellence, people-first leadership and market adaptability

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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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How to Create a Retail Space Using a Commercial Gazebo

Retail Focus

Setting up a retail space can be a challenge, especially when you want to stand out and make a lasting impression. One effective way to create a unique shopping environment is by using a commercial gazebo. These versatile structures provide a cost-effective and visually appealing solution for businesses looking to establish a retail space with style and functionality.

Outdoor 130
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BOXHALL City is now open, providing a new food hall destination to London

A1 Retail

BOXHALL City, the new elevated food hall concept from BOXPARK, is now open to the public. The heritage venue opposite Liverpool Street station is home to 13 exciting dining experiences, as well as two bars with a curated wine, cocktail and mindful drinks offer and live entertainment. The food hall also features a chef residency space for established and emerging talent to host exciting menu concepts, called Kitchen No. 8.

Location 107
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Sainsbury’s braces for price war squeeze as it forecasts flat profits

Retail Gazette

Sainsburys has forecast flat profits for the year ahead as it looks to maintain momentum in a highly competitive market, despite reporting a solid 7.2% increase in annual profit. The UKs second-largest supermarket said it expects retail underlying operating profit for 2025/26 to come in at around 1bn slightly down from the 1.036bn it delivered in the year to March 1 and below analysts expectations of 1.08bn.

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From Corporate Exec to Brand Owner – and Straight Onto Walmart Shelves

Rangeme

One of the things Alex Yale loves about being an entrepreneur is that whatever work he invests into the business, he gets back. Every action he takes is one meant to directly benefit the brand. Hes not pulled into other peoples projects, and his calendar is not filled with other peoples meetings. Yale At the same time, the challenges are all his own.

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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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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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The new era of generative AI-driven search: What retailers need to know

Inside Retail

As FMCG and retail sectors continue to grapple with the advent of digital integration, AI platforms are reinventing how businesses interact with customers. Generative AI platforms, including ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity, are rapidly becoming integral to consumer research. This integration poses a new challenge for Australian businesses on how to stay prominent and reputable in a landscape where AI, not traditional search engines, is increasingly driving purchasing decisions. “The shift i

Consumer 237
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Dealing With Travel Emergencies – What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Retail Focus

Youre on the trip of a lifetime, soaking in the sights, enjoying new foods, and suddenlyboomsomething goes wrong. Maybe your passport disappears, your stomach betrays you after some adventurous street food, or worse, you get into a car accident in a place where you dont speak the language. Travel mishaps can turn a dream vacation into a stress-filled mess, but they dont have to ruin everything.

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Brands snap up space at Cotswolds Designer Outlet opening July 2025

A1 Retail

As the countdown commences to Cotswolds Designer Outlets grand opening, a string of new lettings has been announced with over 133,600 sq ft of space either exchanged or in solicitors hands, which will bring the scheme to 98 percent let on opening. Global fashion label BOSS takes 4,126 sq ft, leading a stellar line-up of fashion, athleisure, beauty, homewares and dining brands that include Marks & Spencer, Adidas and Levis, which have secured stores of 7,845 sq ft, 8,474sft and 4,455 sq ft re

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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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Sainsbury’s people boss defends café closures

Retail Gazette

Sainsbury’s chief people officer Prerana Issar has defended the supermarket’s decision to close its cafes, saying it “just didn’t make sense” to keep them. At the end of January the grocery giant said it was closing its remaining cafs, hot food counters, patisserie, and pizza counters, resulting in in 3,000 job losses. Issar, who is also the grocer’s head of corporate affairs, said at the 2025 Retail Technology Show that “customers who are going to the c

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In Pictures: IKEA Unveils New Oxford Street Store

365 Retail

IKEA is set to open its Oxford Street store to the public on Thursday 1 May, marking a significant new chapter in its UK presence. Located at 214 Oxford Street, the new outlet occupies three floors of the former Topshop building and forms part of IKEAs growing strategy to establish smaller, centrally located stores in high-footfall areas. The store is designed to cater specifically to the needs of urban residents.

Outdoor 64
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How AI is Helping a Brooklyn Thrift Store Amp Up Both Sales and its Environmental Impact

Retail TouchPoints

Nestled in a back parking lot of the industrial waterfront that lines Brooklyns Gowanus Canal is an absolutely fantastic thrift store of the old school a sprawling warehouse filled to the brim with used goods organized in a somewhat jumbled manner by general category. Big Reuse s unassuming exterior blends in perfectly with the loading docks, storage facilities and various trade businesses in the area, but that bare-bones faade belies a veritable treasure trove within.

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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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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.