Tue.Apr 22, 2025

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Retail Media 2.0: How RMNs Can Compete Like Media Giants

Retail TouchPoints

Its 2025, and retail media isnt just growing it’s exploding. With double-digit growth projected this year , brands are doubling down on retail media investments, and retailers are scrambling to claim their piece of the pie. More than 200 retail media networks (RMNs) exist today, and 80% of the top 100 U.S. retailers have built their own. The result?

Marketing 162
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‘We’re in the Dark Ages’: Industry associations speak out against red tape

Inside Retail

Concerns over increased workplace regulation have been voiced by The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) , Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (Cosboa) and Australian Retailers Association (ARA). The three industry groups issued a joint statement after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese vowed to protect penalty rates through new legislation if his government is re-elected.

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How AI is Helping a Brooklyn Thrift Store Amp Up Both Sales and its Environmental Impact

Retail TouchPoints

Nestled in a back parking lot of the industrial waterfront that lines Brooklyns Gowanus Canal is an absolutely fantastic thrift store of the old school a sprawling warehouse filled to the brim with used goods organized in a somewhat jumbled manner by general category. Big Reuse s unassuming exterior blends in perfectly with the loading docks, storage facilities and various trade businesses in the area, but that bare-bones faade belies a veritable treasure trove within.

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Melanie Remai takes the helm at Cue as Hilco hastens restructure

Inside Retail

Melanie Remai is set to take over as CEO of Cue Clothing and its brand Veronika Maine, which the Levis family recently sold to British asset manager Hilco Capital. Remai, former GM of Country Road Group’s Trenery brand, will take over from Simon Schofield in August as part of the deal. The Cue and Veronika Maine brands are synonymous with iconic Australian design and quality clothing.

ATS 259
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A Roadmap For Modernization: How To Break Free From Your Monolith Before July 31, 2026

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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URW Aims to Turn its Malls into ‘Dynamic Platforms for Brand Storytelling’ with Launch of U.S. Media Network

Retail TouchPoints

Shopping center operator Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) is expanding its in-house media and experiential division, Westfield Rise , to the U.S. First established in 2022 in Europe, Westfield Rise helps brands forge connections with the millions of high-intent consumers that visit its shopping centers every year, using dynamic media, immersive experiential activations, Westfield signature events and strategic integrations. “With Westfield Rise, we’re giving brands a global stage acr

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Zales Tests Store of the Future as it Seeks to Make Fine Jewelry an Everyday Accessory

Retail TouchPoints

Zales has taken a playful approach in its latest campaign, Own It, as it seeks to take fine jewelry out of the rarefied air of special occasion wear and into womens everyday lives. New products, including lab-grown diamond fashion designs, and more accessible price points will be complemented with tests of a store of the future concept that blends digital integration with curated displays for a more self-serve, personalized shopping experience.

Jewelry 147
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Hobbycraft prepares to close stores and slash jobs in survival restructure

Retail Gazette

Hobbycraft owner Modella Capital is planning a significant restructuring that could see the closure of several stores and the loss of up to 250 jobs. The private investment firm is gearing up to launch a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) at the retailer as soon as on Wednesday, Sky News reported. Sources close to the plans claimed that nine of the chain’s stores would be axed, with the loss of around 100 jobs, while 18 more would stay open if negotiations with landlords regarding rent cu

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Walmart Tests Experiential ‘Beauty Bars’ in 40 Stores; Amazon Beauty Event Returns

Retail TouchPoints

Seeking to compete with high-touch beauty retailers like Sephora and an expanded assortment at rival Target , Walmart will pilot Beauty Bars in 40 stores, giving customers the opportunity to talk to beauty experts, test samples and explore new products. The retail giant also will spotlight trend-forward brands online with elevated shopping experiences and editorial storytelling.

Returns 147
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Exclusive: Poundland retail and digital bosses exit in leadership reshuffle

Retail Gazette

Poundland has restructured its leadership team under new boss Barry Williams as part of his efforts to turnaround the struggling retailer. Around a dozen senior team leaders in the discount chain’s digital, commercial, buying and retail teams left the business earlier this month, Retail Gazette has learnt. Among those impacted by the job cuts include director of digital Tom Hill, head of digital loyalty and engagement Emma Collins, head of labour and productivity Steve Young and head of re

Returns 113
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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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Angel Central celebrates record-breaking footfall and new opening for Therapié Clinic

A1 Retail

CBRE Investment Management has announcedAngel Central, its retail and leisure destination in Islington, has experienced a strong Q1, with sales exceeding last year alongside record-breaking footfall.The out-performance coincides with the newsTherapi Clinicis opening its first location in Islington at the destination. Angel Centrals sales were up 12.4 percent compared to Q1 in 2024.

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Matalan secures £25m to fuel store upgrades and digital transformation

Retail Gazette

Matalan has secured 25 million in additional funding from its anchor investors to support its ongoing business transformation. The fashion retailer said the investment will drive key initiatives, including store refreshes, new store openings, and improvements to its supply chain. The funding comes from a group of investors including Invesco, Tresidor, Man Group, and Napier Park, and will also help launch a new app that will bolster Matalans ecommerce operations and support its loyalty programme.

Fashion 108
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Building Simpler, Resilient, and AI-Ready Networks

Cisco Retail

Senior leaders from Colt, stc Group, and Swisscom share their strategies for the delivery of digital experiences in an AI-powered world. They are simplifying their networks to meet growing customer demands, and embracing assurance, automation, and autonomous networking to transform their operations, ensure the resiliency of their services, and drive new revenue streams.

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Bella Italia declares 30th April ‘Bella Appreciation Day’ – because every Bella deserves a £100 treat!

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Ever wished your name could get you free food? Well, if your name is Bella, todays your lucky day! On Wednesday 30th April, Bella Italia is rolling out the red carpet for all Bellas across the nation with the launch of Bella Appreciation Day.

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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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Home Depot Opening 11 Stores Across the United States — See If There’s a Location Near You

Retail Wire

Home Depot is opening 11 locations.

Location 183
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What to Say When You Don’t Have What the Customer Wants

Hyken

I recently responded to a question on LinkedIn: A customer is furious about an out-of-stock item. How do you turn their frustration into satisfaction? I added a second part to that question. What if what the customer wants is something youve never had in stock? Some customers might still be angry that you do not have what they want. And even if they arent, whether the item is out of stock or you just dont carry it, that doesnt mean you cant make the customer happy.

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Asda: UK families have more to spend in 2025, but future pressures loom

Retail Gazette

UK households now have 25 more to spend each week compared to the same period last year, with disposable income averaging 257 per week after bills and essentials in Q1 2025, according to Asdas latest Income Tracker. The improvement follows a decline in inflation, which dropped to 2.6% in March, largely due to falling fuel prices. The supermarket ‘s latest tracker shows that all UK regions saw an improvement in disposable income, with London continuing to have the highest disposable income

Grocer 71
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Macy’s Announced the Closure of 66 Stores in 2025. These Locations Are Still Open — But Not for Long

Retail Wire

Macy's has two popular locations still open that were slated for closure earlier this year.

Location 179
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Cut Costs & Complexity: Smarter Fulfillment for Home, Furniture & DIY Brands

Late deliveries. Split shipments. Spiraling freight costs. For home, furniture, and DIY brands, fulfillment has never been more complex—or more critical. This report outlines how a smarter, AI-ready order management system (OMS) helps you reduce shipping costs, streamline project-based fulfillment, and ensure accurate inventory across every channel.

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Easter delivers a weekly boost to footfall, as shoppers shell out an estimated £2.3billion on Easter spending finds Sensormatic Solutions

A1 Retail

Good Friday delivered a +40.8 percent week-on-week increase to store visits across all retail destinations Easter Monday saw total retail footfall rise by +17.4 percent versus the week before Shoppers were expected to have spent 2.3billion over Easter this year Despite a week-on-week boost, total shopper counts over the Easter weekend were down -7.5 percent compared to 2024 Easter delivered a weekly boost to footfall as shoppers splashed out on Easter eggs, seasonal treats and entertaining over

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McDonald’s Marks Milestones with Immersive Concept at Admiralty Station

365 Retail

Landini Associates has unveiled a new concept for McDonalds at Admiralty Station, Hong Kong, in recognition of two major anniversaries: 50 years of McDonalds in the region and 70 years since Ray Kroc launched his first restaurant in the United States. The location, among the busiest McDonalds restaurants worldwide, has been transformed with the introduction of the Mood-Engine, a 22-metre-long feature that alters the ambience throughout the day.

ATS 64
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Amazon launches dedicated storefront for premium beauty

Retail Gazette

Amazon is expanding its premium beauty offering with a dedicated dermocosmetics skincare category and storefront. The move allows shoppers to browse and purchase specialist beauty products from brands such as Caudalie, La Roche-Posay and Dermalogica. The online retail giant said the dedicated store front aims to offer a curated shopping experience for customers to browse by category, skin type, ingredient, and brand.

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New Balance Unveils Oxford Street Flagship

365 Retail

New Balance has opened the doors to its Oxford Street flagship in London, revealing a completely redesigned retail environment that puts community and creativity at its core. Officially launched on Thursday, April 17th, the space represents the latest iteration of the brands global retail concept, shifting emphasis from products to people. This updated concept is designed to foster a deeper connection between visitors and the brand, using central seating zones and visual storytelling to showcase

Fashion 64
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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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Caledonia Park adds French Connection to its outlet

A1 Retail

Railpen has announced thatFrench Connectionwill open its newest outlet store atCaledonia Park, the premium designer outlet village in Scotland, as it celebrates a strong first quarter. The new standalone store, spanning2,200sq ft, is set to open in a few weeks. It will offer a range of the labels distinctive and classic womenswear and accessories, including iconic co-ord sets and feminine floral prints, along with lightweight trenches just in time for the summer.

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New SNAP Restrictions Could Ban Soda, Junk Food in Some States

Retail Wire

Several Republican-led states are seeking to restrict some SNAP purchases.

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Birds Eye rolls out solar-powered refrigerated trailers in partnership with European shipping and logistics firm DFDS

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Birds Eye will be rolling out two new solar-powered refrigerated trailers to transport thousands of tonnes of product each year as part of a partnership with European shipping and logistics firm DFDS and British sustainable-powered refrigeration specialists Sunswap, advancing progress towards their 2025 science-based carbon reduction target.

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OpenAI Could See ChatGPT Partnering With Shopify Following Microsoft’s Copilot Merchant Program Launch

Retail Wire

OpenAI appears poised to incorporate Shopify into its ChatGPT tool.

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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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Represent names ex-Dr Martens CEO as new chair

Retail Gazette

Luxury streetwear brand Represent has named ex Dr Martens exec Kenny Wilson as its new chair and non-executive director, under an ongoing strategy to accelerate its growth and global expansion. The executive most recently served as CEO of Dr Martens from July 2018 until March 2025. He was previously chief executive of Cath Kidston and held senior roles across Levi’s, most recently serving as its SVP of commercial operations from November 2005 until January 2009.

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Krispy Kreme’s New Doughnuts Are a Cheesecake Lover’s Dream

Retail Wire

Krispy Kreme has introduced a trio of cheesecake doughnuts.

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Railston Mannequins celebrates World Earth Day

A1 Retail

2025 marks 55 years since Earth Day first began. The commemorated day started in the US in 1970 and has now spread globally, celebrated by millions of people across the world. It’s a chance to honour and celebrate the achievements of the environmental movement and highlight the need to protect the planet further. To mark the occasion, Railston Mannequins have made their own important pledge in support of the need to reduce carbon emissions within the world of retail.

ATS 59