Mon.Dec 04, 2023

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Holiday Retail Sales: 10 Strategies for Winning Shopper Interest

RETAIL MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE

The holiday season of 2023 promises to be a mixed bag of discounts, smart spending and changes in consumer behavior. From bustling U.S. malls to charming European markets, shoppers are adjusting their spending habits in line with inflation and rising costs of living. But the frosty economic climate hasn’t diminished their overall enthusiasm for festive shopping, with Americans remaining optimistic about the upcoming season, according to McKinsey.

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Build-A-Bear Continues Push into Branded Content with Holiday Feature Film

Retail TouchPoints

Build-A-Bear Entertainment , a division of Build-A-Bear Workshop , is bringing its latest feature film, Glisten and the Merry Mission , to digital platforms following its theatrical debut last month. The movie, which is inspired by the retailer’s Merry Mission plush collection, is now available for rent or purchase on the Build-A-Bear website and streaming platforms in North America, as well as via digital on-demand in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.

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ChatGPT and UX audits: the current limits of generative AI

Inside Retail

With brands and retailers weathering through an uncertain economic climate, they’re reshuffling their priorities to help navigate turbulent waters. In calmer conditions, businesses zeroed in on offering the highest quality products for the most affordable price. Today, with higher competition and lower expectations, businesses are confronted with a crowded marketplace and constrained budgets.

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Sam’s Club Aims to ‘Strengthen Omnichannel Experience’ with New DCs in St. Louis, Minneapolis

Retail TouchPoints

Sam’s Club plans to open two new distribution centers (DCs) during Q1 2024 — a 370,000-square-foot facility in the St. Louis area and a 365,000-square-foot DC in Shakopee, Minn., near Minneapolis. The new facilities are part of the retailer’s multi-year growth plan , which also includes opening a DC in Oklahoma City and a fulfillment center in Lithia Springs, Ga.

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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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Australian toy distributor Big Balloon bought by US peer

Inside Retail

Berkshire Hathaway’s toy company Jazwares has acquired toy distributor Big Balloon, as part of its global expansion plans. The acquisition of Big Balloon, a key player in the Australian toy industry for more than 12 years, is an investment in the future global growth of Jazwares, said Judd Zebersky, founder and CEO of Jazwares. “Jazwares Australia will have a major impact on the toy industry in the long-term, with the team’s laser focus on Jazwares’ brands and business, adding value to all retai

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Neiman Marcus, Saks Still Unable to Come to Terms on Takeover Deal

Retail TouchPoints

Nieman Marcus has rejected Saks Fifth Avenue ’s latest takeover bid, according to the Wall Street Journal. This offer had valued Neiman Marcus at $3 billion , but the luxury retailer objected to the deal’s structure because a significant portion of the payout would not have been in cash, people familiar with the matter told WSJ. This latest round of takeover talks has been underway for months, continuing a saga that began as far back as 2017 , when Neiman Marcus put itself up for sale and bega

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Walmart Pilots Free HIV Screenings at 2 Virginia Pharmacies

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart has kicked off a three- month pilot offering free HIV screenings at pharmacies in Petersburg and Ashland, Va. The finger prick blood sample tests will be administered by Walmart pharmacists, and while customers are waiting the 20 to 30 minutes for their results the pharmacists can discuss other preventative measures such a STI tests, contraceptive use, medication to treat or prevent the spread of HIV and vaccines the patient may need.

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Venroy converts former Bondi Beach Post Office into a flagship

Inside Retail

Leisurewear brand Venroy has opened a new permanent flagship boutique in Bondi Beach, where the company was founded back in 2010. The store is located in the old Bondi Beach Post Office on Hall Street and is Venroy’s largest store to date. “As Venroy travels around the world, with stores from Sydney, Melbourne and Byron to Capri and Montauk, it feels like the right moment to revisit and expand our presence in Bondi Beach, the place where it all began,” said Sean Venturi, VenroyR

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Experience Insiders: How JCPenney is Doubling Down on Store Services

Retail TouchPoints

Katie Mullen is Chief Experience Officer of JCPenney and has played a key role in bringing the retailer’s “Make it Count” strategy to life. During this episode of Experience Insiders, she shares how JCPenney is leveraging consumer insights to inform its in-store services, and how the company is using beauty and self-care services to drive traffic, engagement and loyalty.

Consumer 264
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Rebel MD Gary Williams on taking experiential retail to the next level

Inside Retail

Australian sportswear chain Rebel unveiled the next generation of its experiential store concept , RCX, in Melbourne last week. Dubbed RCX 2.0, the flagship store features a slew of new customer service offerings, including a dedicated Fit Studio for female shoppers to try on sports bras and leggings, 3D foot-scanning and shoe recommendation technology, and the city’s first-ever rooftop basketball court.

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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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Coach CEO Q&A: New Las Vegas Fulfillment Center will Reduce Delivery Times by 50%+

Retail TouchPoints

To better serve a growing legion of West Coast customers, Tapestry , parent company of brands including Coach and Kate Spade , opened its 788,000-square-foot North Las Vegas Fulfillment Center in November. The facility, which currently employs 200 full- and part-time employees, is expected to require an additional 400 full-time workers by 2029. Tapestry already operates a fulfillment center serving the East Coast located in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Alaska Air Expands With $1.9 Billion Acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines

Retail Wire

In a bold step intending to bolster its status in the aviation industry, Alaska Air announced that it will absorb rival Hawaiian Airlines into its operations for a whopping $1.9 billion.

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Retail Logistics: Boosting Efficiency and Productivity

Retail TouchPoints

The retail industry is facing exceptional challenges in this post-pandemic era. Customers are more demanding, less loyal and more diverse than ever before. Add concerns such as labor shortages and the quest for greater profitability and the odds begin to look more than just demanding. To stay ahead of the curve, a lot depends on warehouse logistics and distribution.

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Frankie4 names Hilary McMillan as CEO

Inside Retail

Frankie4 has appointed Hilary McMillan as CEO, coinciding with the opening of the podiatrists-founded footwear brand’s 10th global store and forging of strategic partnerships with retail giants Nordstrom and J. Jill. Before the promotion, McMillan served as COO and brand officer of Frankie4. She started with the company as a human resource manager when it operated podiatry clinics in Brisbane. “Hilary possesses all the skills, passion, and vision to take Frankie4 to the next level,”

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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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Travel CAMP: Marriott Bonvoy to Launch New Kids Club Experience

Retail TouchPoints

Marriott Bonvoy is collaborating with family experience company and retailer CAMP on a new “club experience” for toddlers and tweens. Reminiscent of the “kids clubs” available through many vacation resorts and cruise ships, CAMP Club is designed to offer engaging and interactive experiences at Marriott Bonvoy’s hotels and resorts worldwide that are tailored to the needs of different age groups.

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How supplements brand The Fix is closing the healthcare gap for women

Inside Retail

The gender gap in the market for effective hormonal solutions is a pain point that has been felt by women for decades. Historically, men have always secured a greater share of medical research funding than women, which has created a healthcare gap that has largely gone unchecked. There is five times more research into erectile dysfunction which affects 19 per cent of men, than into premenstrual syndrome which affects 90 per cent of women, according to The Guardian.

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Mislabeling of Popular Chocolate Product Leads to Recall

Retail Wire

Just days before Hanukkah, Manischewitz is recalling its Dark Chocolate Coins because the product may contain undeclared milk.

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Goodwill Debuts New ‘Mini Shop’ in NYC

Retail TouchPoints

Goodwill Industries of Greater New York and Northern New Jersey (Goodwill NYNJ) has opened its first Mini Shop & Donation Drop location in Manhattan’s Upper East Side (UES). The 1,000-square-foot Goodwill Mini Shop & Donation Drop is a smaller-format store compared to traditional Goodwill stores and Donation Centers, and it offers a curated selection of pre-loved donated goods including apparel, home décor, books, glassware and knick-knacks.

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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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PlayStation Will Be Removing Content Already Paid for by Players 

Retail Wire

Sony has announced that hundreds of Discovery shows that players have already purchased through the PlayStation digital store will be removed from their libraries by the end of this year.

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The powerful marketing mechanism behind Nest New York’s holiday collab

Inside Retail

“Deck the halls with boughs of holly.” But instead of ‘halls’, it’s a lengthy course of Fifth Avenue in New York City, stretching out from 46th to 61st Street. And instead of ‘holly’, it’s Nest New York’s popular seasonal home scent, Holiday. The Holiday aroma — a festive blend of pomegranate, mandarin orange, pine, cloves, cinnamon, vanilla, and amber — was the number one luxury candle sold in America in 2022, according to research con

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Spotify To Cut 17% of Workforce Despite Taylor Swift Effect

Retail Wire

A third Spotify layoff will impact 17% of the company's workforce, even after the company saw an uptick in profits in its third quarter due to the Taylor Swift effect.

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Christie Brinkley teams with Xcel Brands to create fashion label Twrhll

Inside Retail

Actress and supermodel Christie Brinkley has partnered with media and consumer products company Xcel Brands to launch lifestyle and apparel brand Twrhll. Twrhll is expected to be initially launched next spring and its products will be distributed through retail and live stream channels, in which Xcel Brands has expertise. Brinkley will appear on broadcasting and streaming services as she will serve as the face and voice of the brand. “I want to inspire women at any age and with any body ty

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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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Gap’s Old Navy AI Chatbots Accused of Illegal Wiretapping

Retail Wire

A recent lawsuit against Old Navy alleges that its AI chatbot takes part in illegal wiretapping.

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How fine jewellery brand Carrie K is elevating the customer experience

Inside Retail

In the heart of Singapore, nestled within the charming precinct of Neil Road, lies a meticulously restored shophouse that serves as the new atelier for Carrie K , a fine jewellery brand that has not only adorned individuals with exquisite pieces but has also become a custodian of local tales. The journey of Carrie K is inseparable from the visionary behind its creation – Carolyn Kan, a luminary in the world of jewellery design.

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IBM Unveils Innovative Quantum Computing Chip

Retail Wire

International Business Machines (IBM) has revealed two technological milestones — a next-gen quantum computing chip and a cutting-edge machine to complement it.

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Dan Murphy’s new tech can chill beverages in three minutes

Inside Retail

Liquor retailer, Dan Murphy’s has unveiled V-tex – a technology that can chill cans and bottles to 5 degrees Celsius in just three minutes – currently under trial at the company’s Coogee outlet. V-tex is a low-energy device that rotates beverages at speed inside a bath of ice water, ensuring a consistent temperature without causing any disturbance to the liquid inside its vessel – which Dan Murphy’s says is ideal for both wine and carbonated drinks.

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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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Brand Manufacturers: Multiply Your Retail Monitoring Without Multiplying Costs

Wiser

For brand manufacturers, retail monitoring is a critical aspect of maintaining and enhancing market presence. It offers detailed insights into product performance, customer preferences, and the effectiveness of sales strategies across different platforms. Monitoring these multiple aspects allows manufacturers to modify and optimize their strategies in real-time, improving product visibility and customer relationships.

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Uber’s Stock Is Set To Join the S&P 500

Retail Wire

In a testament to Uber's recent business revival, the ride-hailing and delivery company's stock is prepped for inclusion in the esteemed S&P 500 index.

Marketing 130
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NRF updates crime report to address faulty numbers

Retail Dive

The group said it didn’t realize an outside assessment of organized retail crime had used an old NRF estimate of total inventory loss, including loss unrelated to theft.

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In pictures: The first Wilko stores opened by The Range

Retail Gazette

The first set of Wilko stores under its new owner opened over the weekend, marking the discount chain’s return to the high street. The Exeter and Plymouth stores are the first two out of five planned by The Range owner CDS Superstores, which rescued the brand from administration in September. Both branches will stock the retailer’s home and garden range, mixing brands with its own label.

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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.