Sat.Nov 16, 2024 - Fri.Nov 22, 2024

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The Christmas 2024 forecast: Trends from the bosses of Tesco, John Lewis, M&S, and Superdrug

Retail Gazette

The bosses of Britain’s biggest retailers are feeling positive about Christmas this year as early trading shows shoppers are starting to feel more confident about spending in the wake of easing inflation. M&S CEO Stuart Machin says the retailer is “very confident” about trading this year, while Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy says he’s “betting on a good Christmas” as customers display “a willingness to spend a little bit more to treat themselves”.

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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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It’s a shorter holiday season. Does that matter?

Retail Dive

There are five fewer days between Black Friday and Christmas Day compared to 2023. Here’s how retailers — and consumers — are preparing themselves.

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Types of Tenancy Agreements To Be Aware Of

Retail Focus

When it comes to renting, choosing the right tenancy agreement can make a real difference in your experience. Whether you’re after stability, flexibility, or a mix of both, understanding the most common types of tenancy agreements can help you make the best choice. With help from SAM Conveyancing , here’s a rundown on the agreements you’re likely to encounter. 1.

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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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Pret A Manger opens city debut at Gloucester Quays

A1 Retail

Peel Retail & Leisure has announced the opening of Pret A Manger at Gloucester Quays, bringing the popular British sandwich and organic coffee chain to the city for the first time. This announcement follows a series of food and beverage openings at Gloucester Quays – including a new Subway also now open on High Orchard Street – adding to the destination’s growing food options for its diverse catchment of all-day shoppers and locals and strengthening its reputation as a top 10 UK outlet.

ATS
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Sussan Group CEO Rebecca Hard on becoming a B Corp and sustainable fashion

Inside Retail

The Sussan Group, the retail collective behind women’s fashion brands Sportsgirl, Sussan and Suzanne Grae, is incorporating “responsible fibres” into its supply chain and investing in futuristic pilot projects, such as making a compostable T-shirt, as it looks to increase consumer awareness of its sustainability initiatives. This comes after the company recently became a certified B Corp in September.

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Shogo Onodera transforms existing surfaces in Tokyo boutique to "avoid making anything new"

Dezeen

Marble covered with plaster and metal treated with acid are among the repurposed materials used by Japanese architect Shogo Onodera to minimise waste while fitting out the flagship store of fashion brand IZA Tokyo. The boutique takes over an existing retail space in the city's Shibuya district, where the previous tenant had left the interior largely intact with much of the display furniture and internal surfaces still in functional condition.

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Enhancing Sales Effectiveness Through Data-Driven Execution: A Deeper Dive into Store-Level Selling

Wiser

In our previous post, we outlined how brands can leverage store-level sales data and incremental points of distribution to boost in-store sales. Now, we’re taking it a step further by exploring how Wiser’s tools empower brands to combine sales and execution data to further optimize sales and retail performance. By integrating real-time insights, brands can better understand how execution at the store level impacts sales and make data-driven decisions that improve both product visibility and sale

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Dusk CEO Vlad Yakubson on the retailer’s transformation into a lifestyle brand

Inside Retail

It’s not easy to be a mid-market retailer in Australia right now. There is increased competition from e-commerce players, the local market and major international brands. There is also subdued consumer sentiment and the rising cost of doing business. Growth opportunities are hard to come by. Even so, retailers offering a strong value proposition and attractive shopping experience are gaining steadfast shoppers.

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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.

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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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Retail Trends in Vaping: What’s Driving Sales for Vape Juice Brands

Retail Focus

The vaping industry has seen a lot of growth over the years, driven by evolving consumer preferences, regulatory changes, and advancements in technology. For vape juice brands, staying competitive in the retail market requires a deep understanding of the latest trends influencing sales. By tapping into these trends, brands can better cater to consumer demands and position themselves for success.

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Which is the best retail Christmas ad of 2024?

Retail Gazette

This year’s cohort of Christmas adverts have officially landed on our screens, with festive campaigns featuring the likes of Dawn French, Bridgerton star Adjoa Andoh and Roald Dahl’s the BFG. Some retailers sought to capture viewers this winter with heartwarming campaigns, while others enlisted much-loved characters for a festive mission.

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Why slowing down in stores can drive big sales: The science behind dwell time

Inside Retail

Speed. Efficiency. Instant gratification. These are the buzzwords of our age, even as we sit in traffic jabbing our phones to order oat milk flat whites we barely have time to drink. Everything is about getting things done faster. It’s the reason your local supermarket is now one giant self-checkout dystopia and why even the idea of browsing feels as old-fashioned as sending a telegram.

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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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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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Theatro Launches GENiusAI, Revolutionizing Frontline Productivity and Engagement with Generative AI Assistance

Theatro

DALLAS, November 19, 2024 – Theatro, a pioneer in voice-controlled mobile communication technology, is proud to announce the launch of Theatro GEN iusAI , an innovative suite of voice offerings that integrate Generative AI with Theatro’s Intelligent Virtual Assistance (TIVA) and Theatro’s portfolio of Digital Workflows. Theatro GEN iusAI equips frontline workers with on-demand, context-specific knowledge, enhancing their ability to deliver seamless customer interactions and enabling them t

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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

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Dusk’s sales increase in first 20 weeks

Inside Retail

Dusk posted higher sales in both online and physical stores in the first 20 weeks of the fiscal year. The home fragrance retailer’s sales rose 12.7 per cent year over year, with like-for-like sales growing 11.5 per cent. Online sales surged 41.2 per cent, while brick-and-mortar store sales jumped 10.7 per cent. “We have opened two new stores and further extended our reach with the launch of 12 pop-ups in flagship centres across the country,” said Vlad Yakubson, Dusk CEO and MD.

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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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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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Dune London Reopens Renovated Flagship Store at Westfield White City

365 Retail

Dune London has officially reopened its newly renovated store at Westfield White City , unveiling an elevated flagship concept that promises a more engaging and immersive shopping experience. The 101 sqm space showcases the latest in-store design from Dune London’s creative and store development teams, blending luxurious aesthetics with functional enhancements.

ATS
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Harvey Norman: The Australian retail giant vying to shake up the UK

Retail Gazette

Harvey Norman made its English debut last month in the unlikely location of Merry Hill Shopping Centre in Dudley. The Australian electricals and homewares retailer, which has over 300 stores worldwide, has had a lengthy period testing the waters in Northern Ireland for the last 15 years. While the rural suburbs of Dudley may seem like an unusual launchpad for the retailer, which generated £4.6bn (AUS$8.86bn) in global sales last year, to make its English debut, there is method in the madness fro

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Adore Beauty plans multi-store rollout as it pursues omnichannel growth

Inside Retail

Adore Beauty plans to expand its national retail store network over the next three years to accelerate its omnichannel growth. The company is targeting the opening of more than 25 stores as part of its three-year strategy, which was announced at its annual meeting in Melbourne. The stores, which will leverage existing infrastructure and strength of the Adore Beauty brand, will help broaden the company’s addressable market, increase brand awareness and boost customer acquisition.

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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.

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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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Why VPS Hosting Is a Game-Changer for Online Retail Businesses

Retail Focus

The online retail industry is going from strength to strength. However, with increased competition and growing customer expectations, staying ahead in the market requires more than just a user-friendly website. It demands robust infrastructure capable of handling high traffic, ensuring security, and offering scalability. Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting is proving to be a game-changer for online retail businesses, offering the perfect mix of performance, flexibility, and affordability – keep

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Uncovering how skylights and access panels are revolutionising sustainable design in retail spaces

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! The demand by environmentally conscious consumers has made sustainability the central focus of retail design. Businesses that don’t align with green principles are going to find it hard to establish a brand and attract an audience.

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How BlockTexx and Elk teamed up in circular fashion partnership

Inside Retail

In an Australian-first partnership, BlockTexx and Elk have teamed up to bring an innovative solution to bring end-of-life garments into the circular fashion economy. “I don’t think it matters that you’re small, it’s what you’re doing,” Tonia Bastyan, design and marketing manager at BlockTexx, told Inside Retail. BlockTexx is a Sydney-based company that has found a way to break down textiles into raw materials, diverting fashion waste from landfill on a massive scale and n

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Unwrap Holiday Growth: The Top Benefits of Joining an External Loyalty Program this Season

Retail TouchPoints

As the holiday season approaches, retailers are under intense pressure to deliver results, with only 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Rising debt and higher cost of living are contributing to forecasted slower retail sales this year, making it more crucial than ever for brands to stand out. While events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are still expected to attract crowds and drive online traffic, competition for consumers’ carefully guarded share of wallet will be fiercer tha

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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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Space NK hails double-digit customer growth as profits surge

Retail Gazette

Space NK has posted strong results for the financial year ending in March with sales and profits soaring. Pre-tax profit rocketed from £1.5m to £7.5m while turnover jumped more than a third (34%) to £196.5m year-on-year. The premium beauty retailer’s growth has continued into the current financial year, with half-year sales up 38% year-on-year.

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Chisholm Hunter Opens Flagship Boutique at Lakeside Shopping Centre

365 Retail

Chisholm Hunter has opened a new flagship boutique at Lakeside Shopping Centre , marking its first location in Essex. Spanning 7,000 sq ft, the store introduces a variety of services and collections to enhance the shopping experience for visitors. The store offers a wide range of fine jewellery and luxury timepieces, featuring brands such as OMEGA , TUDOR , IWC , PANERAI , GUCCI , Longines , and Montblanc.

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What the class action against Coles and Woolworths means for ‘The Big Two’

Inside Retail

The ACCC’s lawsuit against Coles and Woolworths for allegedly misleading consumers about the price of essential products has now been spun into a class action lawsuit by the Gerard Malouf and Partners law firm. For Jim Ritchie, founder and strategy partner at branding agency US+US, the price drop class action and ACCC legal action against the Australian supermarket points to something much larger.

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Amazon Doubles Down on Live Shopping for Black Friday

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon has partnered with video commerce platform TalkShopLive to beef up its livestreaming efforts this holiday season with new shows from Martha Stewart, Jennifer Hudson and more. The collaboration will kick off on Black Friday, with TalkShopLive producing a series of new shows for Amazon Live , the e-tailer’s livestreaming service. Martha Stewart, Jennifer Hudson, Eva Mendes, and Kimberly Schlapman of the country music group Little Big Town will each host live shows showcasing a curation of A

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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.