Tue.Dec 17, 2024

article thumbnail

How AI Assistants are Already Reshaping Shopping

Retail TouchPoints

2024 is set to go down in history as the year of the AI assistant. Amid all the ongoing furor around new artificial intelligence applications, when it comes to actual utility for both brands and consumers, the cream that has risen to the top appears to be AI-powered agents. Amazon was one of the first retailers to launch an AI shopping assistant, but others swiftly followed.

Shopping 289
article thumbnail

Beare Park founder Gabriella Pereira reveals her pop-up strategy 

Inside Retail

Gabriella Pereira is the director of Beare Park and the recipient of the Australian Fashion Laureates Emerging Designer of the Year award this year. Beare Park recently opened the doors to its first bricks-and-mortar retail experience with a month-long pop-up residency in Potts Point, providing a taste of things to come for the Sydney shopper. Meet Beare Park Beare Park is a luxury fashion label made, designed and owned in Australia.

Fashion 130
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Walmart Makes 5-Year, $1.3 Billion Investment in Chile Stores and Operations

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart will invest $1.3 billion in Chile, with plans to build 70 new stores across all formats and add a ninth distribution center (DC) in the countrys remote southern region. The five -year investment plan will create 4,000 new jobs in the country. This is not just an investment in infrastructure and technology; it is an investment in people, in communities, said Cristin Barrientos, President and CEO of Walmart Chile in a statement.

Location 244
article thumbnail

The Role of a Fashion Photography Studio in Elevating Retail Success

365 Retail

In the competitive world of retail, visual appeal is paramount. High-quality imagery not only attracts potential customers but also communicates your brand’s identity and values. This is where a fashion photography studio steps in to create compelling visuals that capture attention and drive sales. From glamorous lookbooks to versatile ghost mannequin photography, these studios offer specialised services tailored to the retail industry’s needs.

Fashion 52
article thumbnail

Smart Tools & Strong Teams: A People-First Approach to AI in Sales

Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy

AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.

article thumbnail

Teamsters Threaten Strikes Against Amazon Fulfillment Facilities in NYC and Illinois

Retail TouchPoints

With claims from Teamsters General President Sean OBrien that Amazon is pushing its workers closer to the picket line by failing to show them the respect they have earned, Teamsters locals at two New York City facilities and one in Skokie, Ill. have authorized strikes against the company just as the holiday season is adding increased pressure on ecommerce fulfillment.

article thumbnail

What True Classic’s nationwide Target launch reveals about the brand’s future

Inside Retail

Amidst the menswear boom that has been taking place over the past few years, it has become increasingly hard for newer brands to establish themselves in this space. However, one industry newcomer that has managed to buck all expectations is True Classic. Five years after launching into the market with its hero product, a true-blue fitted t-shirt, the brand now operates 9 brick-and-mortar stores, alongside thriving direct-to-consumer and wholesale operations.

Wholesale 130

More Trending

article thumbnail

Online Marketing Calendar for 2025: Don’t Miss These Critical Dates

Independent Retailer

A professionally compiled marketing calendar is a detailed plan that records all the company’s marketing events with a schedule of dates and times. Why is it needed? It helps to structure the work of the marketing department, prevents chaos, optimizes the use of resources, increases efficiency, and helps to coordinate the work of the marketing team in a logical and consistent manner.

article thumbnail

Army & Air Force Exchange Deploys AI-Powered Customer Service Chatbot

Retail TouchPoints

The Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) , a retailer serving American soldiers, airmen, guardians and their families, has expanded its partnership with Manhattan Associates to include the solution providers AI-powered customer service chatbot. The Exchange has run order fulfillment through Manhattan Active Omni since 2019 and now has deployed Manhattan Active Maven to better support its human customer service agents.

article thumbnail

Innovation wins: Why global marketplaces are winning the online war

Inside Retail

Research from E-marketer shows that global marketplaces accounted for 62 per cent of online retail sales last year up four points from 2022. Their share almost certainly rose further this year. We think it is accelerating, says David McLean, CEO and founder of last-mile logistics and Pick-up, Drop-off (Pudo) specialist Hubbed, which works with some of the worlds largest marketplaces, a growing number of local direct-to-consumer retail brands and The Iconic.

Returns 130
article thumbnail

Bloomingdale’s to Serve as Fulfillment Option for Luxury Brands with DTC Sites

Retail TouchPoints

Bloomingdales has partnered with retail connectivity platform Lucky to allow luxury brands that sell in its stores to connect their in-store inventory to their DTC websites. The integration will allow customers to see the availability of products at their local Bloomingdales stores while browsing their preferred brand’s website. Example of the Lucky integration.

article thumbnail

AI In The Aisles: The Executives Guide To Better In-Store Experiences

Speaker: Steve Worthy, MBA

The rapid rise of AI-powered displays, touchless technology, and sensory marketing is reshaping the future of in-store engagement. Yet for many retail executives, the real challenge is not identifying new tools - it is knowing which signals to trust, which inputs to prioritize, and how to architect decisions that elevate in-store leadership rather than dilute it.

article thumbnail

Hamleys delivers early Christmas present to Naples shoppers with fourth Italian store

A1 Retail

Christmas arrives early for shoppers in Naples and the Campania region this year as Hamleys, the worlds finest toy store opens its doors at Torre Annunziata in the brand new MaxiMall Pompeii, the innovative new retail hub set in the shadows of Vesuvius and the historic archaeological site. This is thefourth Hamleys store in Italy, opened in collaboration with GIOCHI PREZIOSI S.P.A., Italy’s toy manufacturer and distributor.Spanning over 750 square meterson a single level, the store brings

Outdoor 105
article thumbnail

David’s Bridal Acquires Wedding Media Brand, Launches Pearl Media to Create ‘Ultimate Inspiration Network’

Retail TouchPoints

David’s Bridal has acquired wedding media brand Love Stories TV and is launching into retail media with the debut of the Pearl Media Network. Engagement and wedding planning timelines are getting longer, according to Signet , with couples dating for 3.25 years on average before proposing. Additionally, the average length of an engagement is now between 12 and 18 months.

article thumbnail

Homegrown Manchester café and bakery Blanchflower comes to Trafford Centre

A1 Retail

Trafford Centre is thrilled to announce that local independent brand Blanchflower will open a new caf focusing on coffee and baked goods, next February in a 400 sq ft location. Blanchflower Coffee and Bakerys arrival at Trafford Centre is part of a wider initiative in which the centre is championing unique and distinctive local businesses, all in a bid to celebrate the cultural dynamism that the city boasts.

Location 103
article thumbnail

Specialist automotive supplier, Heritage Parts Centre, supercharges product experience with Akeneo PIM

365 Retail

Specialist car parts supplier, Heritage Parts Centre , has seen a significant increase in online orders after implementing an enhanced product information strategy to improve customer experience in partnership with Akeneo – the Product Experience (PX) company and global leader in Product Information Management (PIM). Heritage Parts Centre is a renowned classic car parts supplier based on Englands South Coast with a large and varied catalogue of parts and accessories for vintage Volkswagen,

article thumbnail

New Research-Backed Strategies to Empower Managers as Culture & Engagement Leaders

Speaker: Beth Sunshine, SVP, Up Your Culture

When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.

article thumbnail

Frasers CEO Michael Murray nominated for Hugo Boss board seat

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group CEO Michael Murray has been nominated for a role on Hugo Boss’ supervisory board as the German retailer unveiled a host of new members today (17 December). Hugo Boss said Stephan Sturm will step in as chairman of the supervisory board, replacing Hermann Waldemer, who has held the position since 2020. The fashion brand has also put forward Murray and Andreas Kurali, the former deputy CFO of US tobacco giant Philip Morris International, as candidates for board membership.

Fashion 97
article thumbnail

Aldi announces £650m investment

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Aldi, the UKs fourth-largest supermarket, is set to invest around 650 million across Britain in 2025. This includes the development of new stores in Fulham Broadway in London, Billericay in Essex, and Cheadle in Stoke-on-Trent, with the supermarket targeting around 30 new store openings in total in 2025.

article thumbnail

Boost Your Startup’s Success with Accelerator Programs

Retail Bound

Launching a product startup is both exhilarating and challenging. The thrill of watching an innovative idea come to life is unlike any other, but the hurdles along the way can be daunting. For startups looking to gain a competitive edge, accelerator programs offer invaluable support. These programs equip entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks needed to turn their vision into reality.

article thumbnail

Landsec acquires a 92% stake in Liverpool ONE shopping centre

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Landsec announces that it has acquired a 92% stake in Liverpool ONE, one of the premier shopping centres in the UK, from a wholly owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (“ADIA”) (69%) and Grosvenor (23%) for an overall consideration of 490m.

article thumbnail

Breaking The Commerce Bottleneck: Your SAP Exit Plan Starts Now

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.

article thumbnail

How to Execute the Optimal Customer Experience with John Durocher

Hyken

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more: How can companies integrate their sales and support teams to enhance customer interactions? How can small businesses enhance customer support after a sale? What are the benefits of a customer advisory board? Why is it important for companies to proactively communicate when there are problems, service outages, or maintenance periods?

article thumbnail

Charlotte Tilbury to significantly upsize flagship store in Shaftesbury Capital’s Covent Garden following stellar success at the destination

A1 Retail

Shaftesbury Capital has announced that award-winning, global luxury make-up, fragrance and skincare brand,Charlotte Tilburyis set to open a significantly upsized flagship store in Covent Garden, following its stellar success enjoyed at the destination. Charlotte Tilburys renewed commitment to Covent Garden, where it opened its first-ever store in 2015, bolsters its appeal as the go-to destination for beauty andwellness brands.

ATS 103
article thumbnail

Temu tops UK App Store download charts for the year

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Temu ranks as the most downloaded iPhone app in the United Kingdom in 2024, according toApp Storedata just released by Apple. This underscores the growing popularity and trust in the direct-from-factory platform among Brits.

article thumbnail

Ace Retail Holdings Selects Mi9 Retail as its Enterprise Retail Partner

M19 Retail

Ace Retail Holdings Selects Mi9 Retail as its Enterprise Retail Partner Fort Lauderdale, FL December 16, 2024 Through a comprehensive selection process, Ace Retail Holdings (ARH) has selected Mi9 Retail (Mi9) as its Enterprise Retail Partner for Merchandising and Point of Sale. This builds on years of an existing relationship in which Mi9 has been a trusted partner to ARH and its Westlake Ace chain.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

NEXT reveals 2024 gifting trends for last minute shoppers

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Gifting experts at NEXT have conducted a survey asking Brits how long they leave their Christmas shopping, with 61% admitting that they leave their present buying until the last minute. Whether youre a Christmas Eve shopper or plan in advance, finding the right gift for our loved ones is a universal challenge.

article thumbnail

The De Minimis Rule is a Cornerstone of Small Business Success Globally

LS Retail

iStock/MTStock Studio The de minimis rule is a cornerstone of small-business success globally. It allows goods valued under $800 to enter the U.S. with minimal customs paperwork, no need for a broker and streamlined processing. For small businesses, this simplified process is a lifeline. It makes global trade possible and helps businesses manage their supply chains without excessive regulation and cost.

article thumbnail

Unpacking the “phygital” retail trend

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Despite the convenience of online shopping, many consumers are still drawn to shopping at a brick-and-mortar establishment. This has given rise to the phygital retail experience, a holistic model that provides a blend of in-person shopping with digital services.

article thumbnail

How to Secure Sliding Doors with Locksmith Solutions

365 Retail

Sliding doors are a stylish and functional feature in many homes, but they can also be a weak point in home security. Locksmith solutions provide effective ways to secure these doors and protect your property from intruders. Discover expert locksmith solutions to secure sliding doors, including high-security locks, anti-lift devices, smart locks, and reinforcement tips for optimal home protection.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Specsavers Haverfordwest relocates to landmark new store following £1.2 million investment

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Haverfordwest celebrated the opening of Wales largest Specsavers store on Monday 16 December 2024, following a transformative 1.2 million relocation to larger premises in the Riverside Shopping Centre. The new state-of-the-art store, located at 21 Riverside Quay, promises cutting-edge facilities and enhanced services to meet growing community needs.

article thumbnail

The Five Easiest Customer Service Tactics Anyone Can Do

Hyken

Its the holiday season, and whatever holiday you choose to celebrate or choose not to celebrate gifting is the norm. So, I have a gift for you: the five easiest customer service tactics that anyone and everyone can do and they wont cost a thing! I was recently asked in an interview, What are the easiest and least expensive customer service or experience tactics a company can implement?

article thumbnail

Convenience retailers must focus on price as UK convenience market forecast to grow by over £3.2bn from 2024 to 2028, says GlobalData

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! UK grocers must focus on their price positioning to remain competitive. Food & grocery spending in UK convenience stores is projected to reach 43.2bn by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0% between 2024 and 2028.

Grocer 40
article thumbnail

Grubhub Hit With $25M Penalty for Deceiving Diners, Drivers, and Restaurants

Retail Wire

Grubhub allegedly hid fees, added unaffiliated restaurants, and misled drivers about pay.

264
264
article thumbnail

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.