Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
With the holiday season out of the way, next to come is a wave of returns that will stretch into the new year. Given the heightened focus on return policies during this period, it is an opportune time for customer fulfillment leaders to raise awareness within their organizations about a persistent challenge confronting retailers: the rise in retail returns fraud.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
When Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb launched tinned fish brand Fishwife back in December 2020, few could have predicted how the consumer packaged goods brand would blow up. Since entering the retail scene, Fishwife has become one of the most well-known brands in the snack category, let alone in the $3.4 billion-plus US tinned fish sector. Inside Retail connected with Millstein to discuss the brands plans to tap into channel expansion and merchandising opportunities and how the founder pla
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Retail Focus
JANUARY 7, 2025
Aldi is set to continue its expansion in Scotland, confirming today it plans to invest more than 40m over the next two years, opening three new stores in Arbroath, Baillieston and Kirkintilloch in 2025. The investment supports the retailers growth ambitions north of the border and will allow it to keep up with growing consumer demand. In 2024, Aldi celebrated 30 years in Scotland, having opened its first store in Kilmarnock in 1994.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
If the events of 2024 taught us anything, its that value can mean many different things depending on a consumers demographics, psychographics and cultural context. Moreover, what they find valuable from a retail or product perspective can depend both on the product category or their mindset at a specific point of time. The bottom line: the value definition is highly nuanced and contextual to each individual person.
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.
Retail Focus
JANUARY 7, 2025
In todays competitive retail landscape, creating a memorable brand image and ensuring smooth operations are more crucial than ever. One often-overlooked but highly effective way to accomplish both of these objectives is by implementing branded workwear for retail staff. From enhancing professionalism to boosting brand recognition, branded uniforms provide a range of benefits that positively impact both employees and customers.
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
Ulta Beauty CEO Dave Kimbell will retire as CEO after 11 years with the company. Kecia Steelman, current President and COO, has been named as his successor, effective immediately. Steelman will now serve as President and CEO as well as joining the beauty retailers board, with Kimbell staying on in an advisory role through June 28, 2025. Kimbell became CEO of Ulta Beauty in 2021 after serving in executive roles with the company since 2014.
Experience Retail Today brings together the best content for retail owners from the widest variety of industry thought leaders.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 7, 2025
John Lewis Partnerships customer director Charlotte Lock has stepped down after almost three years. Lock shared on LinkedIn that she was leaving the business for a role which is a personal passion but did not provide any details. For now, I want to thank the talented JLP Customer team, fellow partners (past and present) and agencies for your friendship and support over the years, she said.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Myprotein, the leading online sports nutrition brand, has partnered with premium bubble tea brand, CUPP, to launch three high-protein milk and fruit infused bubble teas. Launching today (6thJanuary), the protein boba drinks are available in over 35 CUPP stores across the UK, including their Manchester, Leeds and London stores.
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 7, 2025
Next has warned that its growth in the UK is likely to slow in the coming months as the impact of upcoming tax rises filter through the economy. The fashion and home giant raised its full-year pre-tax profit guidance by 5m to 1.01bn following a better-than-expected Golden Quarter. However, it cautioned that its wider UK growth will be hampered as employer tax increases, and their potential impact on prices and employment starts to affect the overall economy, referring to the changes announced in
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
Consumers will now be able to use Samsung s 2025 Bespoke refrigerator models equipped with digital screens to replenish the items inside their fridge, thanks to a new partnership with Instacart and Samsungs proprietary food recognition technology, AI Vision Inside. Weve all dreamt of a refrigerator that could replenish itself, and now thanks to this partnership with Samsung, thats no longer the stuff of science fiction, said Daniel Danker, Chief Product Officer at Instacart in a statement.
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.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! B&Q has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire five leasehold stores in the UK, currently trading as Homebase, for a total purchase price of 2.5 m. This follows the agreement to buy three stores currently trading as Homebase in the Republic of Ireland announced on 24 December 2024, and further complements and strengthens […] If you
A1 Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
Holland & Barrett opened doors on The Langham Estate at 146/148 Oxford Street 20 th December following relocation to benefit from greater footfall. The news sees The Langham Estates health and wellness offering grow to 21 percent, as Fitzrovia continues to establish itself as a health hub. Leasing 3,350 sq ft on the north side of Oxford Street, the new store is double the size of Holland & Barretts previous location in the area.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
Inside Retail has revealed finalists for the upcoming Retailer Awards 2025 presented with Commonwealth Bank. Judges this year include Colleen Callander, co-founder and director of Human Elevation; Nick Gray, founder of I Got You Consultancy; Andy Evans, co-founder of Humii; Jason Pallant, senior lecturer for marketing at RMIT University; Carly Whitelaw, founder and lead advisor of CWC; Lauren Kelly, strategy director at Interbrand; Aaron Spowart, executive sales manager of commercial banking at
Retail Gazette
JANUARY 7, 2025
Britains two biggest supermarkets Tesco and Sainsburys have been crowned the winners of Christmas by Kantar as sales rose 5% and 3.5%, respectively. Tescos hold of the market rose 0.8 percentage points to 28.5% – the biggest of any supermarket thanks to growth across its convenience, superstore and online channels. Sainsburys achieved its highest share since December 2019 at 16% as its sales growth outpaced the market.
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.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Amazon Fresh has today launched Londons Best Value Meal Deal, at just 1 for customers to enjoy throughout January. Available from the 6th – 31st January in Amazon Fresh stores across London, including the recently renovated Holborn, Liverpool St and Wood Wharf stores, customers can enjoy a main, snack and drink from the 3.90 meal […] If you w
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
Commerce media company Fluent has added a varied roster of brands to its retail media network, including Fanatics, Forever 21, Belk, Bealls Florida, Hammacher Schlemmer , ticketing platform Vivid Seats and Barnes & Noble College. Through the integration, these brands will now feature non-endemic advertising across their sites and mobile apps. Fluents first-party identity graph and AI-driven algorithms help to ensure ad relevance, allowing partner companies to enhance the customer experience
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! UFIT, the UKs Number 1 Ready-To-Drink protein brand, will expand its leading portfolio of health-focused snacks and drinks with the launch of UFIT Loaded Protein Bars. Focused on combining taste, value and nutrition, the duo will be available in discounters from 28th December, with online listings to follow in January 2025.
365 Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
Despite Gen Z often being stereotyped as the TikTok generation, Millennials now outshop their younger consumer counterparts across TikTok, Instagram and Facebook, according to the latest research by the Retail Technology Show (RTS). Original research of over 1,000 shoppers by RTS showed that on average Millennials made 21 purchases on TikTok in the last 12months compared to the 20 items bought on the social platform by Gen Zers.
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.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Walkers Shortbread has been awarded the Royal Warrant by His Majesty King Charles III. The appointment is a testament to the legacy of Sir Jim Walker, his brother Joe and sister Marjorie Walker, who shared a role as joint managing director and developed the business from a small family bakery in Aberlour to a globally […] If you want more informati
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
Carters will kick off the search for a new leader following the retirement of Michael Casey, who has held the Chairman and CEO titles at the childrens apparel brand for the past 15 years, capping off his three- decade-plus career with the company. The retailer has appointed Richard Westenberger as interim CEO in addition to his responsibilities as Senior EVP, CFO and COO.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! N Brown Group plc,the inclusive fashion and homeware digital retail group, has implemented its new Product Information Management (PIM) system in partnership withAkeneo the Product Experience Company. The transformation, implemented ahead of the critical 2024 Peak Trading Period, has improved customer experience across its Simply Be, Jacamo and JD Willia
Retail TouchPoints
JANUARY 7, 2025
Admit it, youve snuck a candy bar and a decorative doo-dad into your very serious shopping cart at some point and like these TikTokers youve needed a place to hide the contraband. That was the inspiration for Haleon s holiday season NYC pop-up in the East Village, which distributed an exclusive Haleon Curbside Cover-Up tote bag equipped with secret compartments to hide stealth items and show only the essentials that were purchased.
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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
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Household spending on take-home groceries hit a record high this Christmas at 460 on average, according to the latest data fromKantar. Overall take-home sales at the grocers rose by 2.1% over the four weeks to 29 December compared with last year.
Hyken
JANUARY 7, 2025
This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more: How can listening to customer exchanges improve overall service experiences? Why is it important to get feedback in real time? What is human-centered design? How can personalization contribute to better engagement? What strategies can organizations use to empower employees to improve customer interactions?
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Currys plc, the UKs largest omni-channel technology retailer, has succeeded in reducing its annual fuel bill by more than 400,000 thanks to the successful adoption of Lightfoots cutting-edge in-cab driver coaching technology and rewards platform.
Inside Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
To celebrate 90 years of Monopoly, Hasbro is reimagining its iconic board game with a modern design and introducing three new expansion packs: Go to Jail, Buy Everything, and Free Parking Jackpot. The updates aim to deliver faster gameplay while adding creative twists for players to enjoy. Players can win money in unique ways, collect new cards to escape tricky situations and unlock the ability to purchase every space on the board or the bank itself.
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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.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! The UKs leading producer of 100% pure, gluten-free oats, Glebe Farm Foods, has today announced a new contract to supplyImperial London Hotelswith its award-winning PureOaty range of British-made oat-based breakfast products.
Hyken
JANUARY 7, 2025
We have crossed over into the new year, and 2024 is now a history lesson. But there is a lot we can learn from history. In 2024, I wrote 52 Shepard Letter articles and released 52 podcast episodes. Here are the five best from each category. Enjoy and learn from these history lessons. Top Five Shepard Letter Blogs My weekly blog is available on the website and is also emailed to subscribers.
Retail Times
JANUARY 7, 2025
Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! A couple of months ago, a well-known tourism company decided to slash their bloated budget. The CEO found himself staring at a Zoom call with 45 people logged inyet only three were actively contributing. The core issue?
Inside Retail
JANUARY 7, 2025
Midas, Supre, and Sage & Clare have ranked the highest for Customer Service Experience in the Online CX Index , Australias first and only online retailer performance platform powered by real data. The Online CX Index, a partnership between Inside Retail and Humii, covered the customer service experience in December on metrics such as the availability of self-service support options, quality of on-site FAQs, live chat, email support, support responsiveness, resolution times, and overall quali
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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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