September, 2024

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4 Trends That Should Drive Retailers’ Holiday Strategies

Retail TouchPoints

Still-potent economic uncertainty is encouraging consumers to be savvier as they browse and buy. But while there may be more price comparing and deal hunting this holiday season, consumers will still expect stellar experiences as they browse and buy across channels. Retail TouchPoints interviewed 12 experts who shared their predictions for the 2024 holiday season.

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Mosaic to axe five brands in rescue plan: here’s the list

Inside Retail

Mosaic Brands will “wind down” five of its brands to focus on its other five businesses as it struggles to remain afloat due to operational issues. The brands to be wound down are Rockmans, Autograph, Crossroads, W Lane and BeMe, as part of what Mosaic Brands CEO Erica Berchtold calls a Focus on Core plan. This will allow the company to capitalise and invest in Millers, Noni B, Rivers, Katies, and its standalone online Mosaic marketplace. “Each of those core brands will have a

Planning 299
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Asda chair: Government should reform benefits system to fix UK’s worklessness crisis

Retail Gazette

Asda chair Lord Rose has urged the Government to reform the benefits system to get more people into work. According to the Office for National Statistics, 2.8m people of working age say long-term sickness means they are unable to work, up from 2.2m before the pandemic. Lord Rose, a former M&S boss and Ocado chair, told The Telegraph: “We must increase productivity.

Marketing 143
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USMX and ILA Port Strike Updates and Predictions

Retail Wire

The United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) is in urgent negotiations with the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) to prevent a strike that could disrupt U.S. cargo movement.

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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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Private equity firm sweeps up LL Flooring, which will stay in business after all

Retail Dive

The bankrupt home improvement company, previously Lumber Liquidators, has inked a deal to be acquired by F9 Investments, its largest shareholder.

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The Rise of Smart Stores: How IoT is Revolutionizing the Retail Experience

365 Retail

Driven by fast technology adoption, the retail sector is changing fundamentally. Among the most important developments changing the retail scene is the Internet of Things (IoT). With its network of linked devices, IoT is not only improving retail operations but also altering the customer experience in ways unthinkable a few years ago. From tailored shopping experiences to simplified inventory control , IoT is leading in producing what we now call “smart stores.” This paper investigat

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Harvey Norman faces class action over junk extended warranties

Inside Retail

Household goods retailer Harvey Norman is facing a class action for allegedly selling unnecessary and worthless extended warranties to customers. The extended warranty, called ‘Product Care’, is sold with products such as electronics and white goods, claiming to provide extra protection to consumers who experience faulty products. However, Echo Law’s class action alleges that the warranty offers no value to consumers, as the protection it provides is no more than the rights and

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Primark boss: Cost of shoplifting is ‘now bigger than our bill for rates’

Retail Gazette

Primark boss George Weston revealed the shoplifting epidemic is costing the fashion retailer more in losses than it pays in business rates. The chief executive of owner Associated British Foods told The Sun that theft in the retailer’s stores had become “socially acceptable”, adding that the perpetrators were “facing no consequences”. “The cost of shoplifting is now bigger than our bill for rates,” he said.

Fashion 137
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Ports on the Brink: USMX Strike Threatens America’s Cargo Lifeline

Retail Wire

Dockworkers across ports from Maine to Texas are poised to strike early Tuesday, threatening what could be one of the most economically disruptive labor actions in decades.

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No, not all companies are abandoning diversity, equity and inclusion. Here’s why.

Retail Dive

Amid a high-profile backlash, many businesses are scrutinizing their policies. But the vast majority end up sticking with DEI, in part because it’s key to growth.

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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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Potential Profit Killer: Making Assumptions About Customers

Hyken

My friend Norman Beck sends me interesting articles and stories on a regular basis. Recently, he shared the story of a wealthy customer who entered a luxury store and asked to see a $25,000 chess set. The customer wasn’t dressed well, and the salesperson made the assumption that she couldn’t afford to buy it. The customer walked away, but before leaving the store, she visited the owner’s office, who also happened to be a close friend.

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Unlocking the Value of Fit Tech: Personalization and Recommendations

Retail TouchPoints

Nearly 15% of all retail sales were returned in 2023 — and 75% of consumers cited fit as the main reason why. As a result, brands and retailers of all sizes are implementing new tools, both in stores and online, to not only reduce returns but also to help customers find their ideal apparel and footwear sizes faster and easier. Fortune Business Insights found that fit technology (also known as virtual fitting room or virtual try-on tech) is exhibiting a compound annual growth rate of 20.3% and is

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Australia’s ‘fastest-growing QSR’: KFC opens its 800th restaurant

Inside Retail

KFC has opened its 800th restaurant in Australia – at southwest Sydney’s Oran Park. “We have been the fastest growing quick-service restaurant in Australia over the past six years, opening over 140 restaurants and enjoyed a record-breaking 2023, opening 34 new locations in Australia,” said Kristi Woolrych, GM of KFC South Pacific. “We are focused on creating an unmatched customer experience, and we look forward to continued growth and feeding more KFC fans nationwide.R

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BREAKING: Frasers Group makes bid for Mulberry as it blasts luxury retailer

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has made a bid for embattled Mulberry as it blasted the luxury retailer for not informing it about its plan to raise more funds. The Mike Ashley-controlled group, which owns 37% of Mulberry’s shares, said it is “ exceptionally concerned” as the luxury retailer’s auditors flagged there was “material uncertainty related to going concern” on Friday.

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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.

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Boeing Strike Continues; Updates and Predictions

Retail Wire

Just days ago, a Boeing strike brought the commercial airline's production to a halt when approximately 33,000 workers, predominantly in Washington state, walked off the job. The strike followed the rejection of a proposed four-year agreement between Boeing and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) union. This marked the first strike at Boeing since 2008.

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Shoppers want personalization online, in-store and on customer service calls

Retail Dive

Personalization doesn’t end on the website or app. Customers are looking for personalized assistance from in-store associates and customer service agents as well, an Incisiv and Talkdesk study found.

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The Secret to Outperforming the Competition: It’s Not Just About Customers

Hyken

In a recent Amazing Business Radio episode, I interviewed Rony Vexelman, the VP of marketing at Optimove , who said, “Companies that put their customers at the center are the companies that are outperforming their competition.” Who would disagree with that statement? Well, Heather Quick Ginevan did, and she included a great explanation in just one sentence.

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Emerging Generative AI Model Helps Optimize Retail Merchandising Efforts

Retail TouchPoints

AI is the latest massively disruptive technology making waves for businesses everywhere. But it’s not quite new to retailers. They’ve been leveraging AI for a number of years in the form of chatbots, product recommendation engines, self-checkouts and many other use cases. However, with the advent of generative AI, things are changing quickly today. Even many tech-savvy retailers are struggling to keep up.

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Pricing for Profit: How to Set, Negotiate, and Succeed

Speaker: Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader

In today’s competitive market, pricing is more than just a number — it’s the cornerstone of profitability. The right pricing strategy ensures that you capture the true value of your offering, paving the way for sustainable growth and long-term success. Join Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader, in this exclusive session where he will explore how a well-crafted pricing approach balances customer perception with business objectives, creating a powerful tool for securing both competitive advantage a

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‘Illusory’: Woolworths, Coles charged with falsifying discount promotions

Inside Retail

Woolworths and Coles are facing charges from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly misleading customers about the discounted pricing of their products. The ACCC alleged that the supermarkets increased the prices of the products by 15 per cent for a brief period before being subjected to Woolworths’ ‘Prices Dropped’ and Coles’ ‘Down Down’ promotions.

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Dobbies to close 17 stores as it unveils restructuring plan

Retail Gazette

Dobbies has launched a restructuring plan, which will see it close 17 unprofitable stores, as it aims to “address historically uneconomical rent costs and ensure a return to sustainable profitability” The garden centre will close 11 mainline sites and six Little Dobbies stores, all of which are unprofitable, with 465 of its 3,600 employees impacted.

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The Fate of Wendy’s First Location, Financial Insights, and Latest Updates

Retail Wire

Wendy's original location faced financial challenges that led to its closure, but the brand is now revitalizing interest with a strategic $1 Frosty ad campaign targeting competitors.

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More than half of US Gen Zers are headed to TikTok Shop this season

Retail Dive

Retailers are investing in digital marketing to reach the younger generation as the group turns to generative AI and influencer recommendations for gift ideas.

Shopping 130
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A Blueprint for B2B Commerce

In the B2B space, digital expectations are higher than ever. Consumer platforms have made online experiences incredibly user-friendly and efficient, adding pressure for businesses to follow suit to meet the expectations of the modern B2B buyer. Take inspiration from B2C commerce strategies and adapt them for B2B digital interactions. Learn to create engaging and well-crafted consumer shopping experiences with insights and tools from Orium’s report, A Blueprint to B2B Commerce.

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LK Bennett Opens New Flagship Store in Knightsbridge

365 Retail

LK Bennett has opened a new flagship store in the heart of West London’s luxury retail district. Located on the prestigious Brompton Road , this opening marks a significant chapter for the brand as it continues to re-establish its position in the competitive landscape of high-end British fashion. The Knightsbridge store is expected to become a flagship location for the brand, alongside its New Bond Street outlet.

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Hobby Lobby Raises Full-Timers’ Minimum Wage to $19.25 per Hour

Retail TouchPoints

For the 13 th time since 2009, when it first instituted its own “minimum wage” well above the federal minimum, Hobby Lobby has boosted pay for its full-time workers. The increase to $19.25 per hour will take effect Oct. 1, 2024. The move by the arts and crafts retailer, which operates more than 1,000 stores, follows pay increases by both Amazon and Sam’s Club announced earlier this month.

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Hardware chain Total Tools suffers major data breach after cyber attack

Inside Retail

Total Tools has suffered a major data leak that is believed to have impacted 38,000 customers following a cyber attack. The breach affected customers’ names, Total Tools passwords, credit card information, emails, and shipping addresses. “The cyber incident has illegally compromised certain personal information, however Total Tools is confident that the cause of this incident has been removed from its website,” said Richard Murray, Total Tools CEO. “In addition to contact

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John Lewis brings back ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price promise

Retail Gazette

John Lewis is bringing back its ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price promise two years after it was scrapped, as it reaffirms its commitment to quality products, brilliant service and competitive prices. Starting from Monday (9 September), the department store will price match its products in store and online to those across 25 major retailers, including M&S, Next, Boots and AO.com.

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Innovation Fest: Summer of AI

Join Bloomreach at Innovation Fest: Summer 2024, a virtual event, to explore the future of personalized marketing and merchandising! Along with the company’s top product experts, CEO Raj De Datta will provide an exclusive look at the company’s latest AI innovations reshaping the omnichannel experience. Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity to connect with fellow industry leaders and explore the latest trends in retail technology.

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Apple News Roundup: iPhone 16 Event and New Games

Retail Wire

Apple will be hosting their newest event tomorrow on their Apple website at 10 a.m. PT. Although the main location will be on the company campus at the Steve Jobs Theater, the website is streaming the presentation.

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Nike taps new CEO amid DTC challenges

Retail Dive

Elliott Hill, who served as president of consumer and marketplace before retiring in 2020, will rejoin the sportswear giant in the top spot, while John Donahoe retires.

Consumer 128
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Prada Beauty Celebrates Launch on LOOKFANTASTIC with Luxury Pop-Up Tour Across the UK

365 Retail

To celebrate the exciting launch of Prada Beauty on LOOKFANTASTIC , the brand is embarking on a nationwide tour with a luxury, interactive pop-up experience. Designed in collaboration with Prada Fashion, this tour promises a fully immersive experience that blends Prada’s signature style with their highly anticipated beauty line. Traveling to four major UK cities, the pop-up invites consumers to explore Prada Beauty in an engaging and experiential environment.

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Retailers Focus on Early Sales, Expanded Assortments to Win Holiday 2024

Retail TouchPoints

With the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season ( Amazon ’s Fall Prime Day Oct. 8 and 9) just around the corner, and consumer confidence wobbly at best, Amazon isn’t the only retailer hoping to capture some early holiday spending next month. Target , Walmart , Best Buy , Big Lots and Michaels all have announced plans for early season sales set to take place well before the traditional Black Friday kickoff to holiday shopping.

Planning 266
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Secrets of a Successful Sale: Optimizing Your Checkout Process

Speaker: David Nisbet, Everett Zufelt, and Michaela Weber

Once upon a time, in the vast realm of online commerce, there lived a humble checkout button overlooked by many. Yet, within its humble click lay the power to transform a mere visitor into a loyal customer. 🧐 💡 Getting checkout right can mark the difference between a successful sale and an abandoned cart, yet many businesses fail to make payments a part of their commerce strategy even when it has a direct impact on revenue.