Fri.Feb 02, 2024

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How Retail Businesses Can Excel With Customer Services

Retail Focus

Surviving and thriving in today’s competitive retail market requires more than offering quality products at best prices. It is more about providing top-notch customer services to give them a reason to choose your brand over the others and recommend it as well. Exceptional customer service goes beyond driving sales. It also fosters loyalty and builds a brand’s reputation.

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Moving from Monologues to Conversations: How Brands are Driving Innovation with Unified Commerce Experiences

Retail TouchPoints

Steve Jobs once famously said that his job was to figure out what consumers want before they know they want it. As was often the case, Jobs was ahead of his time. This concept of starting with a deep understanding of the customer (at times more deeply even than they understand themselves) and building from that point is also the basic premise of retail’s latest technological and philosophical movement — unified commerce.

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Amazon Is Selling $30K Tiny Homes

Retail Wire

There's a new trend that's making waves in the modern housing market, and it's all thanks to online retailer Amazon and the Tiny Homes it sells.

Marketing 299
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USPS Invests in EV as Part of 10-Year Modernization Plan

Retail TouchPoints

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently unveiled its first round of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at a new Sorting and Delivery Center (S&DC) in Atlanta, Ga. The Postal Service expects to convert approximately 400 S&DC sites nationwide so they can serve as charging hubs for more than 66,000 USPS electric delivery vehicles.

Planning 276
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Is Your Business AI-Ready? Find Out with Orium’s Maturity Model

Generative AI is poised to redefine B2B, but scaling AI success in this space isn’t without obstacles. From fragmented data sources and complex buyer journeys to operational inefficiencies, the road to AI-powered growth can be challenging. To achieve a competitive edge, understanding your organization’s AI-readiness is essential. Orium's Data & AI Maturity Model provides a quick, actionable way to assess your starting point.

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Lego appoints Justine McKenny as marketing chief for ANZ

Inside Retail

The Lego Group has appointed Justine McKenny as its new senior director, head of marketing for Australia and New Zealand, effective March 1. McKenny will lead the marketing team for the region and join the leadership team, reporting to Troy Taylor – VP and GM for Australia and New Zealand. McKenny joined The Lego Group in 2009 and has been responsible for the development and execution of some of the brand’s biggest campaigns in the region.

Marketing 261
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As Amazon Launches AI Shopping Assistant, Jassy Predicts AI will Drive ‘Tens of Billions’ in Revenue in Coming Years

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon has debuted Rufus , a new generative AI-powered conversational shopping experience, at the same time that it reported strong earnings for Q4 2023 and the full year. Both announcements highlighted the transformative potential of gen AI, with Amazon planning to lean heavily into the technology in the coming year. Tapping into Gen AI to Improve Online Shopping Trained on Amazon’s product catalog as well as information from across the web, Rufus can answer customer questions on a variety of s

Shopping 242

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Despite Challenging 2023, Tractor Supply Plans 90+ Store Openings This Year

Retail TouchPoints

Even in the face of an 8.6% net sales decline in Q4 2023, Tractor Supply still plans to open up to 95 brick-and-mortar stores in 2024, as well as complete its 10th distribution center. Comp store sales in Q4 dipped 4.2% ; for the full year of 2023, Tractor Supply’s net sales increased 2.5% , while comp store sales remained even with the prior year. The retailer plans to open approximately 80 Tractor Supply stores and 10 to 15 stores under its small-box pet supply banner, Petsense by Tractor Supp

Planning 226
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Why the Video Game Industry Is in Trouble

Retail Wire

Although the video game industry appears to be huge on the surface, the numbers show that it's actually in trouble.

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WHSmith Plans 110+ Store Openings in 2024 with Over 50 in North America

Retail TouchPoints

UK-based travel retailer WHSmith is bullish on growth prospects for 2024, with plans to open more than 110 stores this year — and more than 50 of those openings will be in North America. “Our travel business is growing strongly across all our divisions and we have seen a notably strong performance in the UK, our largest division,” said Carl Cowling, Group Chief Executive at WHSmith in a statement.

Planning 261
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Woman’s Used Couch Return at Costco Wholesale Sparks Debate

Retail Wire

In today's age of online virality, a Seattle-based woman has grabbed the internet's attention by testing the limits of Costco's famously generous return policy. The product in question? A two-and-a-half-year-old couch that had simply fallen out of her favor.

Returns 147
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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Amanda Adams, Fractional CFO, CPA

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Amanda Adams, a seasoned fractional CFO and CPA passionate about transforming back-office operations for finance teams. This session will cover critical best practices and process improvements tailored specifically for accounting professionals.

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Digitalization Can Help Mitigate Climate-Related Supply Chain Disruptions

Retail TouchPoints

For sugar importers, this past summer has been anything but sweet. The cost of sugar has surged by more than 40% globally since the previous year, due largely to poor harvest conditions caused by dry conditions across India, China and Thailand and an unusually cold and wet spring in Europe. The cost increases are expected to increase the prices of soda, candy and baked goods, among others.

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ByteDance CEO Upset With Employees for Missing Out on AI

Retail Wire

It's getting hot in China's tech scene. Longtime big players like Alibaba, Tencent, and JD.com are feeling the pressure from emerging companies like PDD Holdings, the parent company of Pinduoduo and Temu, and the returning giant Baidu. Even social media trendsetter ByteDance is starting to sweat.

Returns 147
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Tony Spring Officially Takes the Helm at Macy’s

Retail TouchPoints

After serving as President and CEO-elect for the past year, Tony Spring will officially take the top leadership role at Macy’s Inc. on Feb. 4, 2024. Spring started the succession process in March 2023, following in the footsteps of Jeff Gennette, who is retiring after more than 40 years with the retailer, although he will remain chair of the Macy’s board until the company’s 2024 annual meeting.

ATS 236
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Independent lifestyle brand, Fig & Fox, opens permanent Festival Place location following successful Pop-Up

Retail Focus

Sovereign Centros has announced that local homeware and gifts retailer, Fig & Fox, has opened at Festival Place , one of the UK’s top 25 retail and leisure destinations. The launch of the Hampshire-based brand follows a successful pop-up at the end of 2023, also emphasising the destination’s commitment to supporting local brands and responding to consumer demand for a diverse range of premium retail options.

Location 147
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Is Your Brand AI-Ready? Find Out with Orium’s Maturity Model

Generative AI is reshaping retail, but achieving true AI success isn’t simple. Many brands face hurdles—underdeveloped data strategies, limited AI-ready infrastructure, or lack of seamless integration across systems. As you explore how AI can boost efficiency and transform customer experiences, understanding your business’s readiness is key. Orium's Data & AI Maturity Model offers a clear starting point.

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TaylorMade Sues Costco Wholesale’s Kirkland Signature

Retail Wire

Costco Wholesale made significant ripples in the golf world with the launch of its Kirkland Signature Players Irons last month. However, not everyone welcomed this incursion.

Wholesale 147
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Lululemon expands its mens offer, adding footwear

Inside Retail

Lululemon – known for its yoga selections and bags – is expanding its footwear offerings with its first men’s collection to debut this month. The brand will launch its first casual sneaker ‘Cityverse’ on February 13. Two new running models, BeyondFeel and BeyondFeel Trail, will be launched in March and May respectively. The Spring Summer 2024 Collection will be available online and in select stores across North America, Europe and Mainland China.

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Super Bowl LVII Party Costs Might Be Lower for Big Game Spreads

Retail Wire

Planning a meal to serve to family and friends in 2024 could be a bit easier than expected, as consumers will find that prices on some Super Bowl staples have gone down from last year.

Planning 130
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Ocean Eyes bolsters niche fragrance brand Who is Elijah’s global campaign

Inside Retail

Founder and creative director of Who is Elijah, Raquel Bouris speaks to how the vegan, fragrance brand plans to further disrupt the niche luxury fragrance market after a successful Black Friday campaign and launch of its new scent Ocean Eyes. And what her day looks like when she isn’t campaigning to have the brand stocked in some of the world’s biggest retailers.

Marketing 130
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NEWS: SML RFID Delivers 98% Inventory Accuracy to Gina Tricot

I’m getting in touch with the news that fashion retailer, Gina Trictot, has achieved 98% inventory accuracy thanks to its partnership with SML RFID. Please see the full press release below, including exclusive quotes.

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How to Understand Your Customers: Awareness, Analytics and Assessments

Retail Focus

One of the main drivers of success is an acute understanding of what people want. Put simply, knowledge is power when it comes to sales. Give people what they want at a price they like, and you’ll make money. That, of course, is easier said than done. Data on things such as consumer trends and internet searches are abundant these days, but that doesn’t mean you’ll always get it right in terms of selling things people want to buy.

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Amazon Introduces a Shopping Assistant: Meet Rufus

Retail Wire

An AI-powered shopping assistant promises to make customer shopping more interactive than ever for Amazon.

Shopping 147
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3 strategies to maximize return on retail media networks

Retail Customer Experience

By merging digital displays with retail media networks, in-store signage becomes a new channel to create a connected shopping experience, captivate shoppers and generate new revenue streams.

Returns 113
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Meta Thrives With Stellar Earnings and Announces First Dividend Payout

Retail Wire

The latest developments for Meta Platforms Inc. have shaken up the financial world, proving once again its market dominance.

Marketing 130
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Mastering E-commerce Strategies to Drive Growth in B2B Distribution

B2B distributors and wholesalers: this webinar is for you! Discover the game-changing potential of composable commerce—a flexible, modern approach to e-commerce—and explore the strategies and technologies transforming the B2B landscape. Learn how to create custom digital experiences for your business from the leaders at Orium , commercetools , and Contentful as they walk through real-world examples, providing actionable insights on how to future-proof your business, integrate new opportunities s

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UNStudio unveils Huawei flagship store in Shanghai with "petal-like" facade

Dezeen

Dutch firm UNStudio has revealed a two-storey flagship store for Chinese technology company Huawei in Shanghai with a facade clad in ivory-coloured petal-like forms. Drawing from Huawei's global operating system, named Harmony, UNStudio 's design aimed to generate biophilic associations between the brand and its technology by integrating organic geometric shapes throughout the scheme.

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The Shamrock Shake Makes an Early Return at McDonald’s

Retail Wire

Fast-food company McDonald's is unexpectedly bringing back one of its oldest recurring treats — the Shamrock Shake.

Returns 130
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Superdry founder in talks to take business private

Retail Gazette

Superdry chief executive and co-founder Julian Dunkerton is considering a possible takeover deal for the struggling fashion retailer. The company said on Friday that Dunkerton, who owns a 20% stake, “is engaged in discussions with potential financing partners” to fund a cash offer for the business. However, it stressed that talks were at a preliminary stage and no decisions had been made.

Finance 108
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Redefining the IT war room with end-to-end observability

Cisco Retail

Transforming the war room starts with Customer Digital Experience Monitoring (CDEM) to break down silos with correlated, cross-domain insights and efficiency for rapid resolutions.

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eCommerce in 2025: How Customer Experience Drives Online Retail Success

Speaker: Jennifer Wright and Nick Barron

2025 is right around the corner, and with it comes a new wave of consumer expectations, competitive pressures, and operational challenges. Success lies in finding the balance between operational flexibility and creating experiences that keep customers coming back. The future of retail belongs to those who can stay ahead of shifting customer preferences and marketing trends. 🔮 In this session, we’ll dive deep into what it takes to keep customers engaged and your operations nimble, no matt

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Entertainment Concepts Take Center Stage as Consumers Limit Retail Spending

Shopping Center

The economy has constricted consumers’ wallets, but the desire for entertainment has kept them spending…on the right concepts. Rising prices have made just about everyone conscientious about their spending. That,… The post Entertainment Concepts Take Center Stage as Consumers Limit Retail Spending appeared first on Shopping Center Business.

Consumer 105
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Sainsbury’s to set new cost savings target in strategy update

Retail Gazette

Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts is expected to present the next phase of the supermarket’s strategy, including a new target for cost savings, as it looks to build on the momentum of a strong 2023. The cost savings are thought to be used to fund both lower prices for customers and a 9% pay rise for staff from next month worth £200m, Reuters reported.

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Essex Capital, Ascend Property Group Break Ground on Front Row Mixed-Use Development in Huntsville, Alabama

Shopping Center

Huntsville, Ala. — A joint venture between Essex Capital and Ascend Property Group has broken ground on Front Row, an 11-acre, mixed-use project in downtown Huntsville. The $220 million first phase… The post Essex Capital, Ascend Property Group Break Ground on Front Row Mixed-Use Development in Huntsville, Alabama appeared first on Shopping Center Business.

Shopping 105
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Amazon profits triple as focus on ‘customer experience improvements’ pays off

Retail Gazette

Amazon full-year profits have tripled thanks to the online giant’s “continued invention and customer experience improvements” across the business. Profit skyrocketed to £28.92bn for the year to 31 December, up from £9.56bn the year prior. Sales jumped 12% to £450.56bn, up from £402.9bn the year before. It comes as the the online retail giant celebrated a “record-breaking holiday shopping season”, which pushed its fourth quarter profits up from £2.12bn to £10.35bn.

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How to Maximize Amazon Sales and Crush the Competition

With over 9 million sellers on Amazon, online marketplaces are more crowded than ever. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune prices in real-time or align strategies across channels, this guide provides the tools to understand how to maximize sales and secure a lasting competitive edge. Download now to transform your pricing strategy and drive holiday success.