December, 2023

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The Boon and Bane of Self-Checkout for Retailers

Retail Wire

Retailers appreciate the allure of self-checkout. However, the elevated rate of inventory shrinkage is a pressing concern in the retail industry.

Checkout 276
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6 Trends Driving Store Design Innovation in 2024

Retail TouchPoints

After years of lockdowns and digital-driven behaviors, consumers’ actions have shown how crucial the store experience is to how they shop and interact with brands. So it’s no surprise that 47% of executives believe that store design and experience have become more critical to their brand strategy over the past year, according to Retail TouchPoints research.

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Do More In ‘24: Ten Customer Service and CX Tips for the New Year

Hyken

Happy New Year! I want this year to be your best year ever for creating amazing customer service and experiences. And for everything else, too! But as it applies to the customer experience, I thought it would be fun to share some ideas we need to do more of. With that, here are 10 ideas. Many, if not all, will apply to you and your business. Do more in 24!

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5 retailers that need a strong finish for the year

Retail Dive

These retailers have borrowed heavily, delivered soft performance, seen substantial leadership turnover or operate in a heavily discretionary sector. Can they turn themselves around?

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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.

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Free Returns Are Starting To Disappear

Retail Wire

Post-holiday blues are setting in for many consumers who have received less than satisfactory gifts this season. The disappointment amplifies when they attempt to make returns, only to be confronted with unexpected return fees.

Returns 297
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Inbox to doorstep: Three strategies to elevate your post-purchase experience

Inside Retail

Relevant, helpful communication with customers post-purchase can turn brand followers into raving fans. Effective communication in this stage of the customer journey can be a key tactic in building long-term customer loyalty which in turn contributes to sustained revenue growth and an increased Customer Lifetime Value (CLV). From the moment a purchase is confirmed to when it arrives at the customer’s doorstep, Klaviyo ’s intelligent marketing automation tools track progress and inform cust

Shipping 290

More Trending

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Beyond Shopping: How Retailers can Turn Stores into Experiential Hubs

Retail TouchPoints

Despite the surge in online shopping, physical stores remain essential for retailers, providing a space for customers to interact with products and build deeper brand connections. A well-designed store can create a memorable brand experience that strengthens customer loyalty. This is crucial considering a recent Publicis Sapient report on customer loyalty , based on a survey of over 8,000 consumers across six countries, revealed that 52% of global consumers report having slight to no brand loyal

Shopping 312
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Holiday Layoffs Are Becoming a Costly Trend Called Vibecession

Retail Wire

The holiday season has many workers experiencing a new and unsettling trend — holiday layoffs.

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Win the Customer, Not the Argument

Hyken

In a confrontation with a customer, you have a goal: win the customer , not the argument. I’ve written about this before, and it’s worth coming back to this topic from another angle with a different example. First, an interaction with a customer should never result in an argument. The best people in customer service, sales, or any frontline customer-facing job avoid escalating a confrontation to the level of a dispute.

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Year in Review 2023: Tokinomo’s news, awards, and best campaigns

Tokinomo

2023 marked a year of unparalleled achievement for Tokinomo, characterized by groundbreaking innovations, influential participation in key events, and notable recognition in the retail marketing sphere.

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What Your Financial Statements Are Telling You—And How to Listen!

Speaker: David Worrell, CFO, Author & Speaker

Your financial statements hold powerful insights—but are you truly paying attention? Many finance professionals focus on the income statement while overlooking key signals hidden in the balance sheet and cash flow statement. Understanding these numbers can unlock smarter decision-making, uncover risks, and drive long-term success. Join David Worrell, accomplished CFO, finance expert, and author, for an engaging, nontraditional take on reading financial statements.

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ARA predicts $9 billion spendathon over the last week before Christmas

Inside Retail

Shoppers in Australia will spend an additional $9 billion during the final week before Christmas, according to the re-forecast by the Australian Retailers Association (ARA), in conjunction with Roy Morgan. This will bring spending for the November-December 24 trading period up to $67.4 billion, an increase of 1 per cent from last year. Across the pre-Christmas period, food spending is expected to reach $27 billion, up 3.2 per cent from last year.

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The Art and Business of Christmas Windows in Retail

Retail Focus

Ghalia BOUSTANI. Senior Retail Consultant at Univers Retail | Published author | Visiting lecturer. I. Introduction Significance of Store Windows in Retail Retail displays evolved from the simplicity of handwritten signs strategically positioned both inside and outside stores during the 1800s. The importance of using creative and communicative signage was quickly grasped by shopkeepers to capture the attention of potential customers.

Consumer 264
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3 Things Connected TV Can Do that Linear Can’t

Retail TouchPoints

This year for the first time ever, the viewership share of linear television (i.e. traditional broadcast and cable) has fallen below 50% , according to Neilsen. But it’s not that people aren’t watching TV; it’s just that they are no longer watching it the way they used to: streaming is rapidly taking over and now represents nearly 39% of total TV usage.

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Starbucks Reaches Record-Breaking Streak of Losses

Retail Wire

Starbucks investors are feeling the heat as shares continue to cool.

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State of AI in Sales & Marketing 2025

AI adoption is reshaping sales and marketing. But is it delivering real results? We surveyed 1,000+ GTM professionals to find out. The data is clear: AI users report 47% higher productivity and an average of 12 hours saved per week. But leaders say mainstream AI tools still fall short on accuracy and business impact. Download the full report today to see how AI is being used — and where go-to-market professionals think there are gaps and opportunities.

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Teen Social Media Use Is Skyrocketing, Pew Research Reveals

Retail Wire

Social media use by teens is at an all-time high.

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7 Stories that Shaped 2023 — and What They Foretell for 2024

Retail TouchPoints

The editors of Retail TouchPoints are sharing our picks for the seven most consequential stories of 2023. As usual, there were lots to choose from — that’s standard for such a dynamic industry — but these were the topics that had “legs” (and are likely to continue to be important in 2024). 1. Resale Continued its Rise but Came Under Financial Scrutiny Consumers’ enthusiasm for secondhand goods, as well as other forms of more sustainable consumption like rental and repair services, showed no sign

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4 Key App Marketing Objectives you Can Nail with Video Content

Retail TouchPoints

Thanks to its versatility and appeal, video content lies at the core of most inbound marketing campaigns nowadays. From boosting sales to increasing brand awareness and educating audiences about your app, video allows you to accomplish most marketing goals like no other type of media. The problem is, with so many options out there, how can you know which kind of video would be the best fit for your app?

Marketing 306
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Walmart Brings BNPL to Self-Checkout in 4,500 Stores Via Expanded Partnership with Affirm

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart will offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) options at self-checkout kiosks in more than 4,500 U.S. stores through an expanded partnership with Affirm. Walmart and Affirm first partnered in 2019 to bring BNPL options to shoppers on its website and app. Indeed, until recently most BNPL offerings were relegated to the digital realm, but stores are widely seen as the next big area of expansion for this increasingly popular financing option.

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SEO vs. PPC: Which Strategy Is Best for Your Business?

When it comes to driving traffic and growing your online presence, businesses often ask: SEO or PPC—what’s the better choice? This guide breaks down the key differences between search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, highlighting their pros, cons, and best use cases. Whether you’re looking for long-term organic growth or immediate visibility through paid ads, we’ll help you determine which strategy—or combination of both—is right for your business.

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Mastercard Data: Holiday Sales Climb 3.1% YoY

Retail TouchPoints

Preliminary data for the period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 showed a 3.1% year-over-year increase in both online and in-store retail sales, according to the Mastercard SpendingPulse , which measures sales across all forms of payment and is not adjusted for inflation. The data also excludes automotive sales. In September 2023 , Mastercard had forecast a 3.7% increase for this period.

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4 Ways QR Codes are Transforming the Retail Shopping Experience

Retail TouchPoints

The next era for retail is already underway, and it all starts with the simple but powerful scan of a code. Nearly 50 years ago, UPC barcodes changed the game for retailers everywhere, and now we’re on the cusp of another massive transformation. According to GS1 US, a member of the GS1 global not-for-profit organization that develops and maintains global standards for barcodes, by 2027, 2D (two-dimensional) barcodes will become the de facto solution for CPG brands and retailers around the

Shopping 299
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Seed Heritage’s reopened Canberra Centre store is now brand’s largest yet

Inside Retail

Seed Heritage has launched its largest store with the reopening of an expanded site at Canberra Centre. The 900sqm store showcases the clothing company’s full offerings across the woman, man, baby, child, teen, and home categories. The expanded store marks Brandbank Group’s aggressive growth strategy, with 500 stores across Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Singapore.

ATS 299
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Sears Opening New Stores Again Discreetly

Retail Wire

Despite common belief among most consumers that the American retailer Sears has disappeared, the truth unveils Sears opening new stores.

Consumer 299
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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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Walmart CEO Shares Ambiguous Retail Sales Outlook for 2024

Retail Wire

Amid the holiday shopping surge, Doug McMillon, the CEO of Walmart, is voicing doubts about the sales outlook for the subsequent months.

Shopping 299
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How AI is Being Utilized in the Last-Mile Logistics Space

Retail TouchPoints

Last-mile logistics is a complex and complicated facet of the business world that requires orchestrating many moving parts, meeting tight deadlines and addressing the needs of multiple stakeholders. In addition, several external factors — from weather to traffic to a lack of available parking — can disrupt the process. To enhance efficiency and increase productivity, many last-mile logistics companies have been quick to take advantage of the benefits of artificial intelligence.

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NRF: Returns Reach 14.5% of Sales in 2023, Fraud Contributed $101 Billion in Losses

Retail TouchPoints

Returns totaled $743 billion in 2023, amounting to 14.5% of all retail sales, according to a report from the National Retail Federation and Appriss Retail. This means that for every $1 billion in sales, the average retailer incurred $145 million in merchandise returns. As is typically the case, online sales saw a higher return rate in 2023 at 17.6% compared to 10.02% for pure brick-and-mortar returns (excluding online orders that were returned in-store).

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Hyperloop One Ends Dreams of High-Speed Travel

Retail Wire

Known for its revolutionary idea of zipping humans through a vacuum at breakneck speeds, Hyperloop One has regrettably announced its closure.

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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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Struggling Farfetch sold to South Korean retail firm Coupang

Inside Retail

New York-listed South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has rescued Farfetch Holdings from the brink of bankruptcy through an acquisition that grants the luxury platform access to US$500 million of capital to stay afloat. “Farfetch will rededicate itself to providing the most elevated experience for the world’s most exclusive brands while pursuing steady and thoughtful growth as a private company,” said Bom Kim, founder and CEO of Coupang.

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Thrift Store Shopper Sells $3.99 Vase for Over $100K

Retail Wire

In a small Goodwill store in Hanover County, Virginia, thrift store shopper Jessica Vincent spotted an unusual green and burgundy striped vase with a price tag of only $3.99. This thrift store find would eventually net her over $100,000.

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McDonald’s eyes $45 billion annual sales, thousands of new stores by 2027

Inside Retail

McDonald’s is planning to open over 8800 stores globally and boost its loyalty program by 100 million members to deliver $45 billion in annual systemwide sales by 2027, which will be its fastest growth period in its history. The fast food chain is targeting to expand to 50,000 restaurants by the end of FY27, with 1000 gross openings across the US and international markets during that year.

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Are you Customer-Obsessed? Here’s Why you Should Be

Retail TouchPoints

When you think of magical customer experiences, one particular brand probably comes to mind: Disney. Exceeding customer expectations rather than merely satisfying them is at the heart of the Disney approach — so much so that Disney created a dedicated handbook, Be Our Guest , to help guide other brands on their quest to perfect the art of customer service.

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From Rigid To Resilient: Why Enterprises Need Modular Commerce Now

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

Enterprise commerce is at an inflection point. Rigid, monolithic platforms slow brands down, but a full replatforming is disruptive and costly. Modular architecture offers a flexible, scalable alternative - allowing enterprise brands to modernize without ripping and replacing their entire stack. Learn how a composable approach helps modernize commerce stacks while maintaining control over critical systems.