Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 31, 2025
At their very core, brick-and-mortar stores are meant to be the physical manifestation of a brand a distillation of its promise and the experience it aims to create for shoppers and associates alike. Now, as new marketing and advertising formats venture further into the store, store teams must work more thoughtfully to ensure these touch points are intentionally integrated into their designs.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 28, 2025
Shoppers across the UK are expressing growing concerns over the impact of the governments recent Budget, with many fearing job losses and price increases in the retail sector. New research by the Retail Technology Show (RTS) found 62% of consumers worry that rising labour costs, triggered by National Insurance and National Minimum Wage hikes, will lead to fewer staff in stores.
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Inside Retail
JANUARY 27, 2025
We expect 2025 to be a pivotal year for the development of AI, with many GenAI projects seeing deployment, predicts advisory firm Coresight Research. At this point, any retail executive worth their salt is aware of the rising value, monetary and otherwise, of integrating artificial intelligence into their business operations. More specifically, generative AI (GenAI) enables machines to create original content, including text, images, music and computer code, and agentic AI, which enables softwar
Retail Focus
JANUARY 31, 2025
The Visual Merchandising and Display Show returns to London on 9th and 10th April 2025 , offering a two-day showcase of the latest innovations, trends, and solutions for retail professionals. Taking place at the Business Design Centre , just two minutes from Angel station and well-connected to major transport hubs, this highly anticipated event combines accessibility, education, and inspirationall with free entry.
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.
Tokinomo
JANUARY 27, 2025
Millennials are reaching middle age, and baby boomers are retiring. Enter Gen Z and Gen Alpha, the customers of tomorrow. These digitally native generations are reshaping the retail landscape with their unique preferences, values, and behaviors. How can brands effectively connect with them while maintaining their appeal across all generations?
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 29, 2025
In the highly competitive world of retail and ecommerce, brands must deliver personalized and relevant customer experiences to stay ahead. Tailoring product descriptions, marketing campaigns and customer service to align with varying consumer preferences across regions and languages not only increases conversion rates but also drives trust and credibility, thereby building long-term customer loyalty.
Experience Retail Today brings together the best content for retail owners from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Retail Minded
JANUARY 30, 2025
Retail crime isnt just about stolen goods its a serious threat that can disrupt daily operations, impact employees and alienate customers. For independent store owners, these challenges ripple through the business, creating hurdles that go far beyond the financial losses of theft and making it harder to stay competitive in an already tough market. Unpacking The Hidden Costs When retailers think about the impact of crime, their first thought is often the monetary loss tied to stolen inventory.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 29, 2025
Morrisons boss Rami Baitih said its been a year urgent reinvigoration as the supermarket reported its strongest quarter since the start of 2021. The chief executive noted that the grocer had made positive progressive against its turnaround strategy as it grew market share and made switching gains from its competitors. The supermarket reported a 4.1% rise in group like-for-like sales to 15.3bn in the year to 27 October, as fourth quarter sales climbed 4.9% to 3.8bn.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 29, 2025
The problem of counterfeit products remains, paradoxically, both enormous and under the radar. One big reason: given how widespread, global and (by necessity) publicity-averse its practitioners are, its difficult to put an exact price tag on the costs of counterfeiting. Difficult, but not impossible. John Ferdinand, who heads the anti-counterfeiting team at intellectual property (IP) management firm Marks & Clerk , said that in the European Union (EU) alone, the apparel industry loses approx
365 Retail
JANUARY 31, 2025
In todays rapidly evolving consumer landscape, sustainability is no longer a luxuryits an imperative. Fast-moving consumer Goods (FMCG) companies face growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact while maintaining profitability. One technological advancement transforming this effort is image recognition FMCG technology. By leveraging image recognition, companies can minimize waste, optimize supply chains, and ensure eco-friendly product placements, aligning their operations with sustain
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.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 29, 2025
The shareholders of both Sigma Healthcare and Chemist Warehouse approved the two companies’ merger during separate meetings on Wednesday. The second meeting, of about 40 Chemist Warehouse shareholders and franchisees in Melbourne, ended at 6.16pm with overwhelming approval. At the earlier meeting, more than 97 per cent of Sigma proxies voted in favour of the deal, surpassing the regulatory requirement of at least a 75 per cent approval rate.
Retail Focus
JANUARY 29, 2025
Railpen, one of the largest pension managers in the UK, has announced Caledonia Park, its premium designer outlet village in Scotland, has experienced a record-breaking year for sales and performance. The destination introduced seven new brands and secured a series of long-term renewals, demonstrating the success of Railpens strategic asset management.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 29, 2025
Following the debut of a line of adaptive womens underwear in 2024, Primark has expanded its offerings of clothing for disabled people into womenswear, menswear, underwear and nightwear. The retailer worked with designer Victoria Jenkins, founder of the Unhidden brand and a leading advocate for disability inclusion, to create 49 options that include features such as magnetic zips, pockets with tube access, belts attached at the side seam and extra-large pockets for devices.
365 Retail
JANUARY 29, 2025
Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 is set to return to Fira de Barcelona Gran Via from 4-7 February, welcoming over 1,600 exhibitors and spanning a massive 92,000m. The event will bring together industry leaders, innovators, and tech enthusiasts to experience the latest advancements in audiovisual technology and systems integration. Attendees can expect immersive performances, interactive showcases, and networking opportunities, making ISE 2025 the ultimate platform for exploring groundbreakin
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.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 26, 2025
Kogan has returned to strong top-line growth in the fiscal first half, which was fuelled by solid holiday sales. The company reported gross sales of $492.5 million during the July-December period, a 10.3 per cent increase year-on-year. Revenue also grew 9.9 per cent to $272.7 million. On the bottom line, gross profit rose 18.3 per cent to $106 million and adjusted EBITDA improved 17.5 per cent to $25.3 million.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 28, 2025
Charles Tyrwhitt founder Nick Wheeler has blamed the Labour Partys anti-business policies for his decision to curb investment in the UK. The businessman, who launched the menswear retailer 38 years ago, said policies like the National Insurance changes and minimum wage increases have pushed him to focus on expanding overseas instead. Wheeler criticised Labours economic stance, particularly comments by Chancellor Rachel Reeves claiming the party is friendly to business.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 29, 2025
California supermarket chain Stater Bros. is rolling out an AI-powered ordering solution from Afresh in the produce department at all 169 of its stores following a successful pilot. By replacing its previous manual ordering process, Stater Bros. will be able to reduce overstock, prevent excess inventory from sitting in the backroom and ensure the sales floor remains freshly stocked.
365 Retail
JANUARY 29, 2025
Recent studies show that nearly 70% of consumers still value the in-store shopping experience , with a strong emphasis on ease. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, enhancing the physical shopping experience remains a priority for both shoppers and retailers. Metrocentre is one of the UKs largest shopping and entertainment destinations, with an intricate layout that can overwhelm visitors and pose operational challenges.
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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
Inside Retail
JANUARY 27, 2025
Travellers thronged railway stations and airports on Friday, clutching large suitcases and gifts such as boxes of fruit as they joined millions of Chinese returning to their hometowns to celebrate the Lunar New Year festival with family. The holiday, China’s biggest, this year falls between January 28-February 4 and marks the arrival of the Year of the Snake.
Retail Focus
JANUARY 29, 2025
El Departamento has created Fake Gods’ first flagship store in central Madrid. Inspired by a contemporary reinterpretation of the Garden of Eden, this store merges digital, physical, and symbolic elements. Technological materials, immersive design and biblical narrative transform the space into the brand’s new meeting point for its growing community.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 28, 2025
Anyone whos ever been to CES will tell you, its a biiiggg trade show. While a lot of the action happens on that vast trade show floor where everything from autonomous cars to massage chairs are demoed Melissa Burdick, Co-founder and President of commerce acceleration platform Pacvue , said there is a whole other hive of activity in the suites of the adjacent Aria hotel.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 28, 2025
WHSmith confirmed this week that it has hoisted a For Sale sign over its entire high street business, more than 230 years after it opened its first store. The retailer known for its stationery, books and magazines said on Saturday that it was exploring potential strategic options for the business, including a possible sale of its 500 UK shops. The high street stalwart is understood to have caught the eye of several suitors, including Bensons for Bed owner Alteri, Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital
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.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 31, 2025
The founding family of Japan’s Seven & I is asking Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group to invest in a management buyout of the Japanese retailing giant, national broadcaster NHK reported on Thursday. The founding family is in talks to take Seven & I private through a management buyout to fend off a US$47 billion takeover from Canada’s Alimentation Couche-Tard.
A1 Retail
JANUARY 29, 2025
Railpen, one of the largest pension managers in the UK, has announcedCaledonia Park, its premium designer outlet village in Scotland, has experienced a record-breaking year for sales and performance. The destination introduced seven new brands and secured a series of long-term renewals, demonstrating the success of Railpens strategic asset management.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 31, 2025
Costco has raised the salary for most store employees to $30 per hour, according to reporting by Bloomberg and other media outlets. The pay raises, which will take effect in March, apply to the warehouse club retailers non-union locations. The company will add $1 per hour at the top end of its pay scale to reach $30 , and $0.50 per hour at the bottom, raising these wages to $20 per hour.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 28, 2025
Ikea plans expand its second-hand marketplace after successful pilots in Oslo and Madrid. Speaking to the Financial Times, Jesper Brodein, CEO of Ikea’s largest franchisee Ingka said its trial of the DIY retailer’s Preowned service has been extended nationwide across Norway and Spain, and will run until August. Brodin said: “We have decided to expand it from Madrid to Spain, and from Oslo to Norway.
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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.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 29, 2025
Easyplant New York City When it comes to buying plants or anything greenery-related, the first place that comes to mind is probably a humble nursery or small mom-and-pop shop, rather than a chic boutique. Easyplant aims to change that. The retailer opened its first bricks-and-mortar store at 15 Prince Street in New York Citys bustling Nolita neighbourhood.
365 Retail
JANUARY 31, 2025
Loading bays are essential to any industrial building, vital in settings from logistic centres to warehouses. Unfortunately, not all of them are as energy-efficient as they could be. Current government initiatives require companies to examine the energy efficiency of their business practices to reduce their carbon footprint. Loading bays are a good place to contemplate making changes that could help reduce energy bills, improve energy efficiency and even reduce carbon footprint.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 29, 2025
Kohls will close 27 underperforming stores by April 2025 and shutter an ecommerce fulfillment center (EFC) in San Bernardino, Calif. when its lease expires in May 2025, according to documents the company filed with the SEC earlier this month. The San Bernardino facility is one of 15 EFCs and distribution centers, and the closing stores represent approximately 2.3% of Kohls 1,150 locations.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 29, 2025
Lidl has been granted permission by a High Court to open its very first pub in Northern Ireland. The German grocery giant will be able to go ahead with its plans to launch the pub inside its Dundonald store, based near Belfast, after a judge dismissed an appeal raised by another trader. During the ruling on Monday (27 January), Mr Justice Colton said he saw “no good reason for refusing the application” The discounter’s proposals involve opening a pub, seating roughly 45 custome
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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