Mon.Apr 22, 2024

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AI and the Art of Non-Linear Customer Experience

Retail TouchPoints

In the not-so-distant past, customer experience (CX) was a straight line — a predictable journey from point A (the customer’s question) to point B (the company’s answer). However, as retail landscapes evolved and consumer demands became more sophisticated, this linear approach showed limitations. Welcome to the future of retail, where the checkout lines are virtual, the service is personal and the experience is anything but linear.

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Myer sacks head office staff, outsourcing tech roles to India

Inside Retail

Department store Myer has laid off head office staff across its e-commerce and operations teams as it offshores functions to India. A Myer employee who requested anonymity told Inside Retail that Myer’s GM of e-commerce Lynna Barnard and chief customer officer Geoff Ikin oversaw the decision to implement the redundancies, which due to their suddenness left employees shocked.

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Ikea Creates Training Ecosystem to Support AI Literacy for 3,500 Employees

Retail TouchPoints

Ingka Group , parent company of Ikea Retail , has set ambitious targets for boosting the AI literacy of its organization, including AI training for approximately 3,000 employees and 500 executives. The initiative will include a variety of courses, tailored to the needs of employees at various levels and in different phases of their AI journeys, with the overall goal of embedding a deep understanding of AI within the organization and ensuring that Ikea values are reflected in the ways the technol

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Coffee chain Single O expanding Japanese footprint after early success

Inside Retail

Sydney-based coffee roaster Single O will open Ryogoku Roastworks, its second cafe in Japan on Friday, replacing the brand’s existing roastery. In a further sign of ongoing expansion in Japan, Single O will launch its Shibuya coffee bar in July. The new roastery and cafe will serve Single O’s signature coffee Reservoir and will feature self-serve batch brew taps, and a breakfast and lunch menu.

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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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JLL Rolls Out Virtual ‘Shopping Bestie’ in 13 Centers

Retail TouchPoints

JLL Retail Property Management has introduced a new virtual shopper agent named Cindy , designed to make the online experience more relevant and engaging at 13 of its shopping centers across the U.S. In addition to spotlighting the center’s sales and deals, Cindy gives consumers details on the latest fashion trends, acting as their exclusive “shopping bestie.

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Myer sacks 50 head office staff, outsourcing tech roles to India

Inside Retail

Department store Myer has reportedly fired more than 50 head office staff across its digital, IT, and e-commerce teams as it offshores their functions to India. A Myer employee who requested anonymity told Inside Retail that Myer’s GM of e-commerce Lynna Barnard and chief customer officer Geoff Ikin oversaw the decision to implement the redundancies, which due to their suddenness left employees shocked.

More Trending

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Pink Sues Pharrell Williams Over ‘P.Inc’ Trademark

Retail Wire

Pink has filed a lawsuit against Pharrell Williams to prevent his plans to trademark the term "P.Inc.

Planning 260
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After 25 Years, a Rebrand is Just the Beginning for Edible

Retail TouchPoints

Twenty-five years ago, Tariq Farid saw some fruit displayed in a unique way at an event. He turned the idea into a business — and Edible Arrangements into a household name. But his daughter, Somia Farid Silber, who’s now the company’s President, isn’t coasting on the company’s past success — she’s too busy thinking about the next 25 years. Somia Farid Silber, President, Edible (Image courtesy Edible) Farid Silber was six when Edible Arrangements was founded, and the company is so engrained in he

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Delta Air Lines Increases Pay as Unionization Attempts Continue

Retail Wire

Delta Air Lines is upping the pay for its nonunion workers, including flight attendants and ground staff, as it faces another unionization attempt.

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To Make Merger More Palatable, Kroger and Albertsons Boost Store Divestment Count

Retail TouchPoints

Facing regulatory challenges to their proposed $24.6 billion merger, Kroger and Albertsons have increased the number of supermarkets they plan to divest by 166 , for a total of 579 stores. The retailers also have increased the corporate and office infrastructure they would sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers , as well as additional private label product lines, for a total of approximately $2.9 billion in cash — nearly 50% more than the $1.9 billion price tag of the previous package.

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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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Earth Day Highlights Plastic Problem

Retail Wire

Modern supermarkets are no strangers to plastic. From bagged bananas to single-use pouches of baby food, plastic has found its way into nearly every aisle. Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator and current head of Beyond Plastics, finds this trend concerning.

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Coffee and home delivery: How food-service spending is changing in Apac

Inside Retail

According to a recent Euromonitor report, while consumer food-service value nears pre-pandemic levels in 2024, dining-in at restaurants will not return to pre-pandemic level until 2028 in Asia Pacific. Apac’s food-service spending surpassed pre-Covid levels in 2024, as revenues grew 12 per cent to more than US$1.2 trillion in 2023. The food-service segment includes restaurants, bars, cafes, fast food and home delivery services.

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Express Files for Bankruptcy to Facilitate Sale to WHP

Retail TouchPoints

A consortium led by Toys ‘R’ Us owner WHP Global that includes mall operators Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties has offered to buy a “substantial majority” of Express, Inc.’s retail stores and operations. In order to facilitate the sale and free up the liquidity needed to continue operations during the process, Express has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

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A guide to choosing the right security solution for your retail business

Inside Retail

Security cameras and access control systems are a vital layer of protection that all retailers should consider when it comes to store loss prevention strategies. Retail video security cameras : Working 24/7, IP security cameras capture video that helps security teams ensure employee safety, prevent theft and assist with liability claims. On-premise or cloud-based security cameras : You can choose between two types of security camera systems: an on-premise system and a cloud-based system.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Microsoft’s Latest AI Animates Faces To Bring Photos to Life

Retail Wire

Microsoft researchers revealed a new AI generator with the ability to transform a static face image and an audio recording of speech into a lifelike video of the person speaking.

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Express files Chapter 11, plans to close over 100 stores

Retail Dive

All of the company’s UpWest stores will shutter as the retailer pursues a sale to WHP Global, Simon Property Group and Brookfield Properties.

Planning 133
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JetBlue’s Ex-CEO Robin Hayes Takes the Helm at Airbus Americas

Retail Wire

Robin Hayes, the former CEO of JetBlue, is set to lead Airbus Americas. He steps into the role vacated by Jeff Knittel, who recently retired. Hayes served as JetBlue's CEO for nine years before resigning on Feb. 12.

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Second phase of Nike layoffs to hit Oregon headquarters this summer

Retail Dive

After the job cuts, effective June 28, about 740 employees will have been impacted in the retailer’s home state.

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SEO vs. PPC: Which Strategy Is Best for Your Business?

When it comes to driving traffic and growing your online presence, businesses often ask: SEO or PPC—what’s the better choice? This guide breaks down the key differences between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases. Whether you’re looking for long-term organic growth or immediate visibility through paid ads, we’ll help you determine which strategy—or combination of both—is right for your business.

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TikTok Faces EU Ban and Fines Over TikTok Lite

Retail Wire

European Union officials are considering hefty fines and the suspension of TikTok Lite due to concerns about its addictive features. TikTok Lite is a scaled-down version of TikTok that offers users cash rewards for engaging with the app.

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Figs recycled over 40K healthcare professional’s scrubs in trade-in program

Retail Dive

The “Scrubs That Don’t Suck” campaign launched April 1 and ends on Earth Day as the brand hit its participation goal.

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Nationwide Health Alert for E. Coli in Greater Omaha Ground Beef

Retail Wire

There is no recall for this product. It should be thrown away or returned to point of purchase.

Returns 130
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Lowe’s taps DoorDash for on-demand deliveries

Retail Dive

Products can be purchased directly on the DoorDash app and the move is a way to “reach new DIY customers,” the home improvement retailer said.

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The GTM Intelligence Era: ZoomInfo 2025 Customer Impact Report

ZoomInfo customers aren’t just selling — they’re winning. Revenue teams using our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform grew pipeline by 32%, increased deal sizes by 40%, and booked 55% more meetings. Download this report to see what 11,000+ customers say about our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform and how it impacts their bottom line. The data speaks for itself!

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Mall Retailer Express Files for US Bankruptcy Protection

Retail Wire

The retailer is expected to close almost 100 stores nationwide.

Fashion 130
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Selfridges targeted by Middle East and Chinese investors amid ownership battle

Retail Gazette

Selfridges is being circled by Middle East and Chinese investors as the financial troubles of the department store’s Austrian co-owner Signa spark an ownership battle. Fellow co-owner, Thai conglomerate Central Group, wants to buy out Signa’s remaining stake in the department store chain with another partner and is in talks with several sovereign wealth funds and tycoons about a potential partnership, the Times reports.

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Oregon’s Market of Choice Embraces Sustainable Dry Farming

Retail Wire

In a significant step toward sustainability, Oregon’s family-owned Market of Choice has teamed up with the Dry Farming Institute to boost dry farming practices in the region.

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Mingle Mocktails aims to spark a zero-proof cocktail craze

Retail Dive

The nonalcoholic brand says its products, which do not directly mimic the taste of alcohol, can satisfy consumers looking for an alternative option in social situations.

Consumer 112
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Create SEO-Friendly Content to Boost Traffic & Engagement

Creating SEO-friendly content is key to improving your website’s visibility and attracting more visitors. This guide walks you through best practices for writing optimized content, including keyword placement, proper formatting, and engaging writing techniques. Whether you’re crafting blog posts, landing pages, or product descriptions, these proven SEO strategies will help your content rank higher and keep readers engaged.

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Buro Happold Details Sustainable Projects for Earth Day

Retail Wire

As Earth Day arrives, the UK firm Buro Happold has shared the sustainable projects that they have been involved in, highlighting efforts to create a more sustainable world.

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Universal Standard launches size exchange program

Retail Dive

The campaign, dubbed Fit Liberty, allows customers to replace items with ones in a different size at no cost.

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M&S trials postal donation bags for ‘unwearable’ clothes

Retail Gazette

M&S is encouraging customers to donate their used clothes via a postal donation bag as part of its tie-up with Oxfam. The fashion retailer is trailing the option for consumers to send their unwearable clothes from any label using a pre-paid postal donation bag that is left with a local courier that the charity can then resell, reuse, or recycle.

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Small businesses in 2024: Tap into tech to amplify your growth

Retail Dive

AI can help small business leaders optimize productivity and streamline success in 2024.

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AI for Commerce: Foundations, Aspirations, and Hype

AI is rapidly transforming digital commerce, but how do you separate real opportunities from hype? Moderated by Orium, AI for Commerce: Foundations, Aspirations, and Hype , experts from Bloomreach , commercetools , Contentstack , and Fluent Commerce explores where AI is already delivering results and where its potential is still unfolding. This masterclass dives into proven AI applications, emerging innovations , and the gaps between promise and reality in commerce.