Sat.Mar 29, 2025 - Fri.Apr 04, 2025

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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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Is Your Office Quietly Sabotaging Productivity?

Retail Focus

Clutter: More Than Just an Eyesore Most businesses understand that clutter isn’t just unattractiveit’s quietly undermining office efficiency. You’ve probably noticed this already: the heaps of paperwork, supplies scattered about, and even those innocent-looking piles of old files that everyone pretends not to see. Believe it or not, clutter actively reduces focus, drains mental energy, and subtly hampers productivity.

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Why the founder of Uni runs her beauty brand like a software company

Inside Retail

Uni founder, Alexandra Keating, has worked out how to package personal care without compromising on product efficacy, environmental responsibility and innovative branding. I just want to make impact in whatever I do, Keating told Inside Retail. Her brand Uni is a body care line from the sea, for the sea with formulas that harness the power of natural ingredients, without the negative environmental impact.

Marketing 200
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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 163
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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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Frasers Group ups stake in THG days after increasing AO World share

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has raised its stake in MyProtein owner THG to 10.9%, up from 6.1%, according to a regulatory filing. The Sports Direct owner now holds 151.9 million shares in THG, valued at approximately 49.1 million at the current market price. The increase in Frasers shareholding comes after a series of investments and partnerships between the two companies, including Frasers 10m contribution to THGs fundraising efforts to support the spin-off of THGs Ingenuity technology business.

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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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How Email Marketing is Transforming the Retail Industry in 2025

365 Retail

Email marketing has been a cornerstone of digital marketing strategies for years, but in 2025, it is playing an even more crucial role in the retail industry. With advancements in artificial intelligence, automation, and data analytics, email marketing is transforming how retailers engage with their customers, drive sales, and build brand loyalty. As consumer expectations evolve, businesses must leverage email marketing to deliver personalized and data-driven experiences that foster long-term re

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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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Walmart Plows Ahead with Climate-Resilient Agriculture Partnership

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart has joined forces with Cropin , an AI-powered food and agriculture platform, to enhance scalable sourcing solutions across the retailers U.S. and South American markets. The Cropin agri-intelligence platform is designed to improve yield forecasting, monitor crop health and predict seasonal transitions with greater accuracy. The partnerships goal is to ensure a steady supply of high-quality perishable commodities, enhance product availability, reduce waste and deliver better-quality produ

Apparel 147
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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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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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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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How Jennifer Gilbert went from musical theatre to a career in e-commerce

Inside Retail

Inside Retails Top 50 People in E-Commerce , presented by Australia Post, is an annual ranking of the most impressive and inspiring leaders in Australias online retail industry. Over the coming weeks, we will be profiling this years Top 10. Here, we speak with #7, Nutra Organics’ head of global e-commerce, Jennifer Gilbert, about pivoting from a musical theatre career to e-commerce, striking the balance between ‘art’ and ‘science’ in her role and finding her groove

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How Retail Businesses can Reduce Credit Card Fees

Retail TouchPoints

Credit card spending has grown significantly over the past decade, leading to higher costs for businesses. For retail executives, finding ways to reduce these processing fees is crucial to improving profit margins and staying competitive in todays increasingly cashless economy. However, the complex and often unclear credit card processing system can make this difficult.

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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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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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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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How GYG, Pappa Flock are shaping the future of fast-casual dining in Australia

Inside Retail

The fast-casual restaurant sector has experienced a notable rise in Australia, driven by shifting consumer preferences towards high-quality, convenient and affordable dining options. Notable brands leading the charge are Guzman y Gomez , a well-established Mexican fast-casual chain that recently made a significant milestone on the Australian Securities Exchange, and newly founded crispy chicken restaurant, Papa Flock.

Location 200
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Why Clear, Well-Communicated Brand Values can Make — or Break — a Retail Business

Retail TouchPoints

If your brand went away tomorrow, would anybody care? Its a scarily relevant question that many retailers are likely asking themselves in the wake of recent high-profile closures. Its also not a question to which many retailers could honestly answer yes, according to Matt Kaness, CEO, GoodwillFinds, who posed it during a session at Shoptalk last week.

Consumer 162
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Sustainable Solutions for PET Bottles: Efficient Use and Recycling

365 Retail

PET bottles are widely used worldwide, but what happens to them after use? Managing plastic packaging sustainably is essential to reducing waste and using resources more efficiently. While reuse and upcycling have become popular trends, high-quality recycling remains the key to a circular economy. PET bottles can be processed into new packaging, reducing the demand for virgin plastic and lowering environmental impact.

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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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10 Inspiring CNC Projects Made with a CNC Machine

Retail Focus

CNC machines have revolutionised the way creators, hobbyists, and professionals build and design. With the ability to precisely carve, cut, and mill a wide range of materials, CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines are opening doors to exciting projects across multiple industries. Whether you’re just exploring the world of CNC or already familiar with a cnc machine these project ideas show the vast potential of digital fabrication. 1.

Marketing 130
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Retail sales growth continues in February, but recovery still far away

Inside Retail

Australian retail sales recorded another modest growth in February despite the continued impact of cost-of-living pressures and economic uncertainty. Retail sales rose 3.6 per cent year-on-year to $37.1 billion, extending the 3.8 per cent uplift in January , data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows. The ‘other retailing’ category which includes cosmetics, sports, and recreational goods recorded the biggest increase at 5.5 per cent, followed by food with a 4.08 per cent i

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Store Closures are Forcing Retailers to Thrive or Die: Here’s How Brands can Adapt

Retail TouchPoints

Its been hard to miss this years headlines heralding a retail reset, or predicting the end of physical retail as we know it. Chains like Foot Locker, CVS and Victorias Secret have been forced to shut down stores: it seems no sector is safe. This trend is unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon: A report from TimeOut predicts store closures across the country will double this year, with an estimated 15,000 stores closing down for good.

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Rushmere invests in becoming one of Northern Ireland’s most energy-efficient shopping centres

A1 Retail

Rushmere Shopping Centre & Retail Park in Craigavon has become one of Northern Irelands most energy-efficient shopping centres, qualifying for a Green Loan from Danske Bank to support ongoing development. A shopping destination in the heart of Craigavon, Rushmere boasts some of the top names in retail, with over 60 top brand stores located within the centre.

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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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How to Negotiate Your Salary as an Executive Assistant in London

Retail Focus

As an Executive Assistant (EA) in London, negotiating your salary can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach, you can secure a compensation package that reflects your skills, experience, and contributions. Whether you’re seeking executive assistant jobs London or trying to raise in your current role, understanding how to negotiate effectively is key.

Finance 130
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Five key consumer behaviour and technology shifts impacting retailers

Inside Retail

Retail is at a tipping point in Australia. Global geopolitics are making Australia look like an attractive market, but retailers are continuing to grapple with huge shifts in consumer behaviour as well as technological change. These evolving consumer expectations are a key driver behind the changes happening in retail. 1. Omnichannel and personalised Omnichannel is critical for traditional bricks-and-mortar retailers to compete against the new online entrants.

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Small Business, Big Ideas: Amid Historic Disruption in Off-Price, This Family-Owned Overstock Wholesaler is Reinventing the Game

Retail TouchPoints

This story is part of Retail TouchPoints ongoing Small Business, Big Ideas series, focusing on smaller retail brands that have found big success and have even bigger ambitions. Norman Nardick, Founder of The Bazaar and grandfather of current CEO Bradley Nardick. Back in 1960, before terms like off-price and closeout were commonplace, decorated World War II veteran Norman Nardick was working for a catalog company offloading its out-of-season merchandise.

Wholesale 147
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Two Thirds of Retailers Turn to AI as £5 Billion Wage Tax Rises Loom, Yet 81% Are Yet to Tap Workforce AI

365 Retail

As British retail and hospitality businesses face significant wage and tax rises, many firmsrecognise the need to improve labour productivity and employee engagement, prompting a growing need for investments in Artificial Intelligence (AI) according to the latest research from Legion Technologies , an innovator in workforce management (WFM). With imminent National Insurance Contribution (NIC) and National Living Wage (NLW) increases set to add an estimated 5billion to retails wage bill this yea

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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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Why Your Online Store Needs a Cross-Border Ecommerce Strategy

Retail Focus

In a world where consumers can shop from virtually anywhere, ecommerce is no longer limited by geography. Yet, many online retailers still focus primarily on domestic markets, missing out on the vast opportunities that lie beyond their borders. Embracing cross border ecommerce solutions isnt just a bonusits becoming a necessity for long-term growth and competitiveness.

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A retailer’s playbook for discounting during major sales events

Inside Retail

Its common knowledge that discounting in retail is a double-edged sword; while price cuts might encourage customers to pull out their wallets, these purchases are less profitable for retailers. Even worse, if customers become habituated to buying on sale, retailers can easily get caught in a discounting spiral that is difficult to end. No wonder some businesses approach major sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday with trepidation.

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NRF Forecasts at Least $5.42 Trillion in 2025 Sales Despite Economic Queasiness

Retail TouchPoints

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is forecasting U.S. retail sales growth of 2.7% to 3.7% in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching between $5.42 trillion and $5.48 trillion , according to the NRF State of Retail & the Consumer. If consumers spend at the high end of the scale, 2025 would exceed the 2024 growth rate of 3.6% , and even at the low end will outstrip last years $5.29 trillion in sales.

ATS 147
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INTERSPORT Kicks Off Football-Focused Store Concept in Greece

365 Retail

INTERSPORT has formally introduced a new football specialist store format, reinforcing its strategy of delivering personalised, hyperlocal retail experiences tailored to consumer needs across its 42 global markets. The inaugural store opened on 27 March in Athens, operated by INTERSPORT Greece. Spanning 1,200 square metres, the space is designed as both an immersive retail environment and a local community hub for football fans.

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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.