Retail Wire

MAY 18, 2025

Walgreens has continued its downsizing efforts, with the CVS competitor announcing that it is closing 29 locations this month alone. These 29 locations affect customers in 13 states. Is a store near you on the list? List of Walgreens Closures in May 2025 Newsweek reports that last year, the pharmacy chain declared that it would close 1,200 locations nationwide over the following three years, with about 500 of those closing in 2025.

Location 200

Location Planning Management Consumer 200

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 19, 2025

In just a few short years, artificial intelligence (AI) has transitioned from a futuristic concept to an operational reality in retail. As consumers increasingly embrace AI-powered tools from generative AI platforms like ChatGPT to customer service chatbots retailers are presented with an exciting opportunity to optimize the customer experience. However, along with this potential for transformation come some significant challenges that need to be addressed.

Customer Experience 162

Customer Experience Consumer Inventory Management Marketing 162

Inside Retail

MAY 18, 2025

The UK is in the midst of a retail cybercrime spree. Harrods, Co-Op and the iconic Marks & Spencer (M&S) have all fallen victim to large-scale cyberattacks. While Harrods stores and its website remained open following its breach, M&S wasnt so fortunate. As early as February, attackers infiltrated M&S’s systems, with immediate repercussions.

Payment Services 130

Payment Services ATS Fulfillment Supermarket 130

Retail Gazette

MAY 18, 2025

Up to 200 Poundland stores could be shuttered and thousands of jobs put at risk as the struggling discount retailers sale process enters a critical phase. The latest bids for the business are expected early this week ahead of an update from parent company Pepco Group, which will report its half-year results on Thursday. Poundland has been up for sale since March , with the process being led by advisers at Teneo.

ATS 106

ATS Supermarket Returns Marketing 106

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.

Customer Experience

Retail Wire

MAY 17, 2025

Burger King has been one of the most popular fast-food restaurants in the country. McDonald’s rival, however, is aware that many of its stores are in dire need of repair, and as such, it has decided to remodel over 400 locations in 2025. Is a location near you on the list? Burger King Restaurant Remodel Revealed in Earnings Call According to USA Today , Burger King plans to renovate roughly 400 locations this year.

Location 242

Location Planning Consumer Marketing 242

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 19, 2025

Bath & Body Works has named Daniel Heaf as its new CEO, effective immediately. He replaces Gina Boswell , who is stepping down from the post and the companys board. Heaf brings two decades of experience, most recently as Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Nike and featuring stints at Burberry and BBC Worldwide. No specific reason was given for Boswells departure, but Sarah Nash, Chair of the Bath & Body Works Board, thanked her in a statement: In the post-COVID normalization pe

Consumer 147

Consumer Returns Location Planning 147

Retail Gazette

MAY 18, 2025

M&S CEO Stuart Machin is set to face a significant pay reduction of up to 1.1m following a cyber attack that has severely impacted the retailer’s operations and stock value. The ongoing cyber attack, which was disclosed on April 22, has driven a 14% drop in M&S’s share price, translating to a loss of approximately 831,000 from Machin’s performance share plan and 233,000 from a deferred bonus, both of which are set to pay out in July.

Operating Expenses 99

Operating Expenses Planning Management ATS 99

Retail Wire

MAY 19, 2025

The U.S. government is pressuring food companies to replace synthetic dyes with natural colors. While many have openly accepted the new ingredient suggestions, the Spangler Candy Company is resisting the movement. Spangler, which makes iconic candies like Dum Dums lollipops and Sweethearts, uses Yellow 5 and Red 40 in some of its products. The Ohio candy maker wants to keep its current formulations as long as possible, saying some natural colors alter the taste of the final product.

Consumer 147

Consumer ATS 147

Retail TouchPoints

MAY 19, 2025

Pottery Barn , a portfolio brand of Williams-Sonoma Inc., will makes its United Kingdom debut this fall with a UK-specific website offering a curated selection of furniture, bedding, lighting and decorative accessories. The launch also will mark the introduction of the brands complimentary design services in the country, offering personalized styling assistance both in homes and online.

Accessories 147

Accessories Marketing Customer Experience 147

Inside Retail

MAY 18, 2025

Luxury brand group Richemont, the parent of Cartier, Montblanc and Dunhill, among many other brands, has posted strong sales growth of 4 per cent to US$24 billion in its year-end results. The growth in sales was attributed to a high single-digit increase at the company’s jewellery brands, which include Van Cleef & Arpels and Buccellati. Gross profit rose 2 per cent to $1.5 billion with a gross profit margin of 66.9 per cent.

ATS 130

ATS 130

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Retail Gazette

MAY 19, 2025

M&S has been hit with a multimillion pound lawsuit following the theft of shopper data during its cyber attack. The food and fashion giant confirmed last week that hackers had stolen shopper data, such as dates of birth, contact details, and online order histories. However, it assured customers that the stolen data did not include payment details, card information, or account passwords, and there was no evidence that the data had been shared.

Fashion 77

Fashion Accounting Planning Supermarket 77

Retail Wire

MAY 19, 2025

Publix has announced that it is recalling pouches of some of its most popular baby food due to fears of lead contamination. As reported by WFTV in Orlando, Florida, the popular grocery chain is recalling GreenWise Pear, Kiwi, Spinach, and Pea baby food pouches. According to company execs, the 4-ounce plastic bags may contain “elevated levels of lead.” Customers who return the items to their nearest store location will receive a complete refund.

Grocer 147

Grocer Returns Consumer Location 147

Retail Dive

MAY 19, 2025

Consumer sentiment has slumped this year even as recent “hard data” reveal stable prices and robust hiring.

Consumer 71

Consumer 71

Inside Retail

MAY 18, 2025

French luxury goods company S T Dupont has unveiled its latest flagship store in the heart of Tokyos Ginza district. The opening marks the third chapter in S T Duponts global flagship rollout, following Paris and Hong Kong, and is part of a sweeping rebranding effort launched in 2023 to reframe the brands legacy for a contemporary audience. Designed by London-based Sybarite, the Ginza store is a study in quiet sophistication, an homage to S T Duponts signature 1941 lighter, interpreted through t

Boutique 130

Boutique Shopping ATS 130

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Management

LS Retail

MAY 17, 2025

2025 Laurel J. Delaney. All rights reserved. A tulip blooms not for itself, but for the joy it brings to others.

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Retail Wire

MAY 18, 2025

In-N-Out Burger is one of the few fast-food places where customers can count on consistently good food, drinks, and company, but a recent change has occurred with its drinks and condiments, and customers are saying it’s for the better. The New York Post reports that the popular burger chain has removed artificial coloring from one of its most popular drinks.

Fulfillment 130

Fulfillment Customer Experience Consumer ATS 130

Retail Gazette

MAY 19, 2025

Asda vice president for ambient, Ade McKeon, is stepping down from the business less than six months after rejoining the supermarket giant. McKeon returned to the supermarket in January as part of a wider leadership shake-up under executive chairman Allan Leighton, aimed at better meeting the daily and weekly shopping needs of ordinary working people and their families who demand value.

Supermarket 71

Supermarket Grocer Returns Management 71

Inside Retail

MAY 18, 2025

Dominos Pizza Enterprises ANZ CEO Kerri Hayman will step down in August 2025. Hayman leaves the business after less than a year as the companys first female ANZ CEO. Her 37-year career has been entirely with the pizza brand, across Australia, the UK, and the US and she recently joined the ranks of the Dominos Pizza Enterprises hall of fame. Dominos CEO will exit after a lifelong career with the brand Working with Dominos has given me some of the most rewarding experiences of my life, Hayman said

Returns 130

Returns Management Planning 130

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.

Finance

Retail Dive

MAY 19, 2025

Through its Shipt service, the mass retailer will give subscribers access to same-day delivery at Petco, PetSmart, CVS, and more, all without price markups.

Shopping 66

Shopping ATS 66

Retail Wire

MAY 19, 2025

Subway was once one of the most popular restaurant chains in the United States and across the globe. In recent years, however, the company has closed thousands of locations, with as many as 1,600 locations closing since 2022 in the U.S. alone. Let’s look at what’s going on and what that means for the brand’s future. Subway Closed Over 1,600 Locations Since 2022 According to USA Today , which examined franchise disclosure records for its report, the number of Subway shops in the

Location 130

Location Shopping Management ATS 130

A1 Retail

MAY 19, 2025

InPost, the UK out-of-home parcel delivery provider, has reached a major milestone with the installation of its 1,000th Tesco Locker location. The lockers provide shoppers with an easy and convenient way to collect, return, and send parcels while integrating seamlessly into their shopping trips at both large Tesco stores (Extra, Superstore, Petrol) and Tesco convenience stores (Tesco ESSO, Tesco Express).

Location 65

Location Returns Shopping Consumer 65

Retail Gazette

MAY 19, 2025

M&S Food managing director Alex Freudmann has criticised the “painfully slow” movement of goods across the Irish Sea, five years on from Brexit. In a post shared ahead of upcoming cross-border deliveries, Freudmann revealed that shipments to Ireland are now routinely delayed by Brexit-related red tape. He highlighted how a single lorry now requires more than 200 documents including obscure details such as the Latin name of a chicken used in a sandwich. “Tonight our trucks

Shipping 59

Shipping Supermarket Management ATS 59

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Marketing

Retail Dive

MAY 19, 2025

The apparel retailer debuted the On Rotation concept as a way to fuel discovery shaped by the generation’s favorite brands.

Apparel 66

Apparel 66

Retail Wire

MAY 19, 2025

Dave & Buster’s has announced a new Summer Season Pass, giving customers a new way to play and save money. According to a press release , this exciting upgrade includes unlimited video gameplay, daily deals on food and drinks, access to exclusive new games, and the chance to score awesome prizes. Its everything customers need for a full season of fun, without breaking the bank.

Kiosk 130

Kiosk Location ATS Marketing 130

A1 Retail

MAY 19, 2025

CleanCo , a leading independent alcohol-free spirits brand has announced England Cricket Captain, Ben Stokes OBE as its latest strategic investor, as part of a wider $5 million fundraise. Stokes joins CleanCo as both an investor and brand partner, as the challenger brand is set to realise cash-flow positivity this year. Ben Stokes investment in CleanCo was born from his own personal journey re-balancing his relationship with alcohol.

Consumer 65

Consumer Marketing Accounting ATS 65

Retail Gazette

MAY 19, 2025

Poundland could be snapped up by Gordon Brothers, who is reportedly in pole position to acquire the business. Theshortlist of bidders for the discounter also includes turnaround investors Hilco Capital, Endless and Modella Capital the private equity firm behind The Original Factory Shopand WHSmiths high street business. The Times reported that bids for the discount giant expected to be made tomorrow (20 May) with Gordon Brothers is in pole position.

Management 59

Management Consumer Marketing ATS 59

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Fulfillment

Retail Dive

MAY 19, 2025

The institution will be housed at the company’s former headquarters and is expected to welcome 1,500 undergrads and 500 nondegree learners.

Planning 59

Planning ATS 59

Retail Wire

MAY 19, 2025

Bath & Body Works is soon set to have a new CEO helming the company, as CNBC reported, its second in fewer than three years. Daniel Heaf formerly Nike’s chief strategy and transformation officer before his position was axed by the footwear company’s new CEO, Elliott Hill will be taking over from Gina Boswell. Boswell stepped down from her role as CEO and a board member, effective immediately.

Beauty and Health 130

Beauty and Health Consumer ATS 130

365 Retail

MAY 19, 2025

Co-living has emerged as one of the most significant trends in the UK residential property market, transforming how urban spaces are developed, operated, and experienced. This innovative housing modelblending private accommodation with shared facilities and community programmingis rapidly expanding beyond London to regional cities and even some rural areas.

Planning 52

Planning Marketing Management Location 52

Retail Times

MAY 18, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Scottish start-up POTRhas developed the worlds first fully traceable and eco-friendly plant pot made from recycled marine plastic. The Ocean Pot created by the Glasgow-based firm is produced entirely from discarded fishing gear recovered from UK coastlines in part.

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