Fri.Nov 17, 2023

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Retail sales slump to ‘lockdown’ levels as shoppers delay Christmas spending

Retail Gazette

Retail sales dropped unexpectedly last month with figures returning to “lockdown” levels as shoppers delay their Christmas spending amid ongoing inflationary pressures. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show sales volumes slipped 0.3% in October following a fall of 1.1% in September. Online retailing was the only sub-sector to report growth, with volumes edging up 0.8% in October following a fall of 2.4% in September.

Returns 76
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America’s Favorite Fast-Food Chains Ranked From Best to Worst

Retail Wire

These are the best and worst fast-food chains ranked by consumers.

Consumer 288
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Amazon to Sell Hyundai Cars Online in 2024; Automaker Selects AWS as Cloud Provider

Retail TouchPoints

No, they won’t arrive on your doorstep in a giant box cushioned by packing peanuts, but Amazon customers in the U.S. will be able to purchase Hyundai cars online next year. Customers will be able to shop for available vehicles in their area based on preferences including model, trim, color and features, check out online and then either pick up their car at a local dealership or have it delivered to their home.

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Walgreens Is Closing for the First Time During Thanksgiving

Retail Wire

Walgreens has decided to close most of its stores on Thanksgiving Day this year for the first time in the company's history.

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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.

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Even Elves are Using AI This Year: Simon Debuts ‘HolidAI’ Tool in Two Malls

Retail TouchPoints

Since Santa’s magic only works in the vicinity of the North Pole, Simon Property Group has equipped “helper elves” with ChatGPT 4.0-powered AI technology to assist shoppers seeking the perfect gift. Beginning on Black Friday and recurring every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 23, HolidAI elves carrying tablet devices will be strategically positioned throughout Simon’s Roosevelt Field mall in Garden City, N.Y. and Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, Calif.

Fashion 261
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Last-Minute Holiday Shoppers Could Be Fraud Victims

Retail Wire

By taking extra steps against fraud, the holiday can be free of headaches for shoppers.

Shopping 264

More Trending

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Pikachu Squishmallow Toy Might be the Hottest Gift This Holiday

Retail Wire

Get this Pikachu Squishmallow before it's completely gone.

Shopping 246
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Computer Vision-Enabled App Helps Home Depot Improve On-Shelf Availability

Retail TouchPoints

The Home Depot has one major advantage over competing retailers that keep much of their inventory in back rooms, where it’s invisible to customers and associates alike. With its high store ceilings, the retailer can store many items in shelving way above the sales floor, ready to be taken down and put on reachable shelves. The problem, of course, is that storing items so high up means it’s nearly impossible to read their labels, barcodes or QR codes, making it difficult to know not just what’s u

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Mortgage Rates Continue To Decrease Slightly, According to Experts

Retail Wire

Mortgage rates have taken a dip for the third consecutive week, offering a sigh of relief for budget-conscious homebuyers.

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Stitch Fix Launches ‘Holiday Party Hotline’ to Help Shoppers Find the Perfect Outfit

Retail TouchPoints

The Stitch Fix value prop has always centered around its robust data and analytics strategy — with so much insight into consumer behaviors and preferences, stylists can match shoppers to the perfect wardrobe pieces. To better serve shoppers in urgent need of outfit advice, Stitch Fix has launched new services spanning phone and social media for the holiday season.

Shipping 144
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Staying Ahead of UFLPA Enforcement: Best Practices for Retail Supply Chains

Speaker: Ethan Woolley, Director at Kharon

This webinar will explore how companies can proactively address compliance risks–rather than reactively responding to–UFLPA enforcement actions. Ethan Woolley will provide insights into the latest CBP enforcement trends, entity list updates, and industries under increased scrutiny, with a look at potential shifts under the Trump administration. Ethan will also explore how predictive data and strategic due diligence can help organizations stay ahead of regulatory challenges and strengthen complia

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Eye Drops Recall: Amazon Pulls Seven Brands Following FDA Warning

Retail Wire

Amazon is taking down seven brands of eye drops from its online marketplace in response to a letter from the FDA.

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REI vows to fight union allegations, puncturing its progressive reputation

Retail Dive

Unionized store workers this week filed 80 unfair labor practice charges against the outdoor retailer, alleging bad faith bargaining and retaliation.

Outdoor 130
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Target Initiates Recall of Toy Mushroom Peg Sorters Due to Safety Concerns

Retail Wire

Target has announced a recall of its 13-Piece Toy Mushroom Peg Sorter due to a potential choking hazard for children.

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Skechers slams ‘baseless’ Nike lawsuit as an abuse of market power

Inside Retail

Skechers USA Inc said it will “vigorously defend” the “baseless” patent lawsuit filed by Nike earlier this month. Nike previously claimed that several sneaker models of Skechers and New Balance misuse its patented Flyknit technology , which uses “high-strength fibres to create lightweight uppers with targeted areas of support, stretch and breathability”.

Marketing 130
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Future-Proofing Enterprise Commerce: Why Extensibility Wins with Shopify

Speaker: Benjamin Woll, Tiffany Spizzo, and Jaime Santos Alcón

Enterprise commerce is evolving fast, and brands relying on rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions risk losing agility. But modernization doesn’t have to mean disruption. In this webinar, we’ll explore how an extensible, modular approach empowers brands to integrate new capabilities, enhance performance, and scale efficiently—all while leveraging Shopify’s strengths.

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Starbucks Red Cup Rebellion Is the Largest Work Stoppage in Company History

Retail Wire

The Starbucks Red Cup Rebellion was the largest work stoppage in the coffee chain's history.

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Amazon confirms ‘several hundred’ will be let go from Alexa unit

Retail Dive

The decision comes during a year when the e-commerce giant has eliminated tens of thousands of roles.

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GM’s Cruise Halts Robotaxi Operations Due to Safety Concerns

Retail Wire

General Motors’ autonomous vehicle division, Cruise, recently put forward a major operational decision. This GM-owned robotaxi company declared a suspension of.

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In pictures: Flannels and Sports Direct’s ‘revolutionary’ Metrocentre stores

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has opened the doors to its new ‘revolutionary’ stores for both Sports Direct and Flannels at Gateshead’s Metrocentre. The retail group has transformed the former Debenhams unit into new homes for its luxury and sports retailers, alongside a new flagship space for its Everlast Gym. The 50,000sq ft Flannels flagship on the ground floor boasts an expansive new luxury fashion collection from brands including Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford and Vivienne Westwood, as well as

Outdoor 122
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🚀Future-Proof Your Salesforce B2C Commerce: Modernization Strategies Inside!

Outdated platforms are costing you sales. Legacy platforms like Salesforce SiteGenesis and SFRA can slow innovation, increase maintenance costs, and frustrate customers. This playbook provides a strategic roadmap to modernizing your Salesforce B2C Commerce platform using a composable approach to transition to faster, scalable, and flexible e-commerce solutions —without disrupting your business.

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Alibaba Cancels Cloud Unit Spinoff as US-China Tech War Rises

Retail Wire

Alibaba has decided to halt the spin-off and public listing of its $11 billion cloud business.

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Interview: How Chinese giant Miniso is planning to take over the UK

Retail Gazette

Cult Chinese retailer Miniso is currently embarking on an ambitious brick-and-mortar expansion in the UK. The retailer, which has over 5,800 stores in more than 100 countries, may have gone under the radar so far in the UK as it quietly opened more than 20 stores, however, its latest opening on Oxford Street should bring more attention. The lifestyle retailer, which takes inspiration from Japanese culture with Hello Kitty’s aplenty in its stores, is not stopping there.

Planning 122
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5 tips for overcoming retail bottlenecks during holidays

Retail Customer Experience

The holiday season is an opportunity for retailers to make a lasting impression on customers, which can translate into long-term loyalty and increased business throughout the year.

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Old Navy regains momentum in Q3 as Gap Inc. shows signs of recovery

Retail Dive

But Athleta's promise as a growth engine seems further away as both sales and comps plunged nearly 20%.

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Protect Your Businesss Online Reputation with These Expert Tips

In today's digital world, your online reputation can make or break your business. Protecting it requires proactive strategies, from monitoring customer reviews and social media mentions to responding professionally and showcasing positive feedback. This guide will help you establish a strong online presence, address negative comments effectively, and leverage SEO to highlight your best qualities.

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Cisco and Our Partners: We Are Greater Together!

Cisco Retail

Co-authored by Rodney Clark , SVP of Partnerships and Small & Medium Business Thank you to all of our Partners who joined us digitally or traveled to Miami Beach for Cisco Partner Summit 2023.

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Foot Locker, NBA sign multiyear marketing deal

Retail Dive

The footwear retailer, which has seen sales fall for three consecutive quarters, will become an official league marketing partner in the U.S.

Marketing 116
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Small Global Companies Are Hidden Champions

LS Retail

©iStock/jacoblund Smaller technology companies are Europe’s “hidden champions” that need to be connected to develop alternative solutions to the big tech companies, Secretary General of the European DIGITAL SME Alliance Sebastiano Toffaletti told Euractiv. For Toffaletti, there is a misconception that everything is owned and invented by Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and other Big Tech companies.

Location 104
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Under Armour ‘really excited’ about progress on inventory

Retail Dive

Growth in stock levels has shrunk considerably as the sportswear brand sells through pack-and-hold products and funnels excess stock to its outlet stores.

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5 Ways You Can Win Faster with Gen AI in Sales

Incorporating generative AI (gen AI) into your sales process can speed up your wins through improved efficiency, personalized customer interactions, and better informed decision- making. Gen AI is a game changer for busy salespeople and can reduce time-consuming tasks, such as customer research, note-taking, and writing emails, and provide insightful data analysis and recommendations.

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How to Build a Brand Story for Your Retail Store in 2024

Shopify

Retail branding experts give you the scoop on how to craft an effective brand story that resonates with customers and makes them loyal for life.

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Simon introduces AI-driven holiday shopping tool

Retail Dive

The HolidAI Gift Finder experience will roll out at two properties — one in New York and another in California — this season.

Shopping 105
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Five Restaurants to Join The Shops at Broad in Texas 

Shopping Center

Mansfield, Texas — Five restaurants have signed new leases at The Shops at Broad, a retail center located in Mansfield. Portillo’s, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Boomer Jack’s Grill and Chuy’s… The post Five Restaurants to Join The Shops at Broad in Texas appeared first on Shopping Center Business.

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Odele secures private equity investment

Retail Dive

The hair care brand snagged capital from Stride Consumer Partners, with its three co-founders retaining a majority stake.

Consumer 105
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5 Tips to Build a Strong Web Presence for Your Small Business

Creating a solid web presence is crucial for small business success in today's digital world. This blog covers five essential tips to help you build and strengthen your online presence. Learn how to create a professional website, optimize it for search engines, and leverage social media to engage with your audience. We'll also guide you on the importance of local listings and how to maintain a consistent brand across all platforms.