April, 2024

article thumbnail

March retail sales barely rise as Taylor Swift effect evaporates

Inside Retail

Australian retail sales in March remain subdued despite an early Easter, only rising 0.8 per cent year over year to $35.6 billion. Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed that other retailing, which include cosmetic, sports and recreational goods, grew 2.4 per cent, the strongest growth across all categories during the month. Food sales went up 2.1 per cent while cafes, restaurants and takeaway rose 1.2 per cent.

article thumbnail

How Gen AI is Reshaping our Understanding of User Intent

Retail TouchPoints

As the digital landscape evolves, the impending demise of third-party cookies looms large, creating seismic shifts in how businesses understand user intent. Within the world of B2B and B2C commerce, where understanding consumer behavior is key, this change has spurred a quest for innovative solutions. Enter generative AI (gen AI) — a beacon of hope illuminating the path forward for retailers navigating this new terrain.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

Brand Trust

Tokinomo

In today's world of endless choices, picking the right product or service can feel like navigating a maze. But there's a shortcut: brand trust. In this article, we're diving into what brand trust really means and why it matters. Ever wonder why you trust certain brands? It boils down to three things: your experience with their product, how they treat you as a customer, and the impact they have on society.

Marketing 264
article thumbnail

Burger King to Invest $300 Million to Remodel 1,100 US Restaurants by 2028

Shopping Center

Miami — Burger King plans to invest $300 million to modernize 1,100 U.S. restaurants by 2028, according to parent company Restaurant Brands International Inc. (NYSE: QSR). Each restaurant will be… The post Burger King to Invest $300 Million to Remodel 1,100 US Restaurants by 2028 appeared first on Shopping Center Business.

Planning 111
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

Pets at Home branches into convenience with two new corner shops

Retail Gazette

Pets at Home has opened two new convenience stores in Sutton and Whetstone, as it branches out from its typical retail park sites. The new shops, which launch as the retailer boosts its presence on London’s high streets, will sell a range of pet owner essentials and offer an advice counter for customers. Both stores are located at the base of residential buildings in the capital with limited parking spaces.

Shopping 121
article thumbnail

2024 VM and Display Show: A Fusion of Creativity, Sustainability, and Retail Innovation

Retail Focus

The 2024 Visual Merchandising and Display Show, hosted on April 16-17 at the Business Design Centre in London, provided a comprehensive look at the future of engaging retail spaces through innovative design and display. The exhibition showcased an incredible range of products and technologies designed to redefine the potential of physical retail spaces.

More Trending

article thumbnail

Lidl GB Announces Major Expansion with Plans for Hundreds of New Stores

365 Retail

In its landmark 30th year, Lidl GB is unveiling ambitious plans to open hundreds of new stores across the UK, a move set to create thousands of new jobs. This announcement follows a year of significant investment aimed at strengthening its operations infrastructure. Key developments over the past year include the opening of Lidl’s largest global warehouse in Luton, an extension of its Welsh distribution centre in Bridgend, and notable advancements in the expansion of its Belvedere warehouse, whi

Planning 111
article thumbnail

This Customer Could Ruin Your Business

Hyken

What if I told you that a satisfied customer could ruin your business? Most people think satisfied customers are happy and will come back. At least, it appears that way. Many years ago, I used to begin my customer service keynote speeches with a question: By a show of hands, how many of you believe it’s important to satisfy your customers? As you might imagine, just about everyone raised their hand.

article thumbnail

Wray & Nephew Iaunches funding initiative to support UK Black businesses

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Wray & Nephew, in partnership with Foundervine, has launched the third year of its Wray Forward programme. In collaboration with Foundervine, one of the largest and most active accelerator ecosystems in the UK, Wray Forward is an ambitious, free programme that supports Black founders across the UK by giving them access to mentorship opportunities, ed

105
105
article thumbnail

Unveiling the Power of Digital PR: A Blueprint for Retail Brands in the Relevance Era

Retail TouchPoints

The digital media landscape is ever-changing and, as such, it can be hard for time-poor marketers to keep up! Google is regularly updating its algorithm, (with nine in 2023 alone), not to mention the fact a cookieless future is looming. On top of that, competition between retail brands is fierce, intensified by economic struggles. As such, brands are increasingly battling against each other for lower CPCs and their target audience’s attention.

Marketing 332
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Adore Beauty CEO Tamalin Morton to step down

Inside Retail

Adore Beaut y Group CEO Tamalin Morton has decided to step down for personal reasons, effective in September. Morton agreed to take on a consulting role to assist the company after a new CEO has been named. “As CEO, Tamalin has done an excellent job delivering Adore Beauty’s financial and operational successes and developing the strategic plan.

Returns 298
article thumbnail

Ford’s Total EV Sales Post $1.3 Billion Loss in Q1

Retail Wire

Ford's EV division, known as Model e, faced a tough start to 2024.

359
359
article thumbnail

Brand Building: A Comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide

Tokinomo

In today's competitive marketplace, building a strong brand is essential for success. A well-defined brand not only helps businesses stand out from the crowd but also creates a sense of trust and loyalty among consumers. In this comprehensive step-by-step guide, we will explore the importance of brand building and provide practical tips on how to establish and grow your brand effectively.

Consumer 264
article thumbnail

AI and the Art of Non-Linear Customer Experience

Retail TouchPoints

In the not-so-distant past, customer experience (CX) was a straight line — a predictable journey from point A (the customer’s question) to point B (the company’s answer). However, as retail landscapes evolved and consumer demands became more sophisticated, this linear approach showed limitations. Welcome to the future of retail, where the checkout lines are virtual, the service is personal and the experience is anything but linear.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

The Future of Retail is Multilingual

Retail TouchPoints

Imagine stepping into a store where no one speaks your language. You’d likely feel frustration, confusion and, ultimately, disappointment. This same barrier can exist for online shoppers navigating ecommerce sites in languages they don’t understand. Recent estimates forecast that nearly a quarter of global retail sales will come from online channels by 2027, so the ability to serve a multilingual customer base will be essential for businesses seeking global success.

article thumbnail

Retailer Lessons from iGaming Companies

Retail TouchPoints

Retailers are always looking to improve their game, with an eye to increasing sales, reducing costs and maximizing profitability. Retail competition has increased from small upstart retailers to big box stores and peers, so the ability for retailers to improve on their game is more necessary than ever. Gaming companies, more specifically iGaming companies, have undertaken strategies that could help retailers that mimic those practices improve their game, and their profitability.

article thumbnail

Total Wine, Hill Beverage and Snoop Dogg Partner to Deliver THC-Infused Beverages Nationwide

Retail TouchPoints

Hill Beverage products on display at Total Wine Beginning on the unofficial cannabis holiday of 4/20, Total Wine & More will make CBD and THC-infused beverages from Hill Beverage Co. available for delivery across the country in as little as 15 minutes. The “Do it Fluid” beverages, made in collaboration with Snoop Dogg and Death Row Records , come in CBD-only versions as well as Delta-9 and THC blends.

article thumbnail

Asic orders Urban Rampage stores to end Centrepay credit arrangements

Inside Retail

Clothing and homewares retailer Urban Rampage has been ordered by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (Asic) to stop offering Centrepay credit arrangements at its stores. Operated by Coral Coast Distributors, Urban Rampage has stores at 10 locations in regional and remote locations across Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Hungry Jack’s resolves franchisee restraint clause case

Inside Retail

Hungry Jack’s has resolved a case which sought for an injunction to block two new restaurants within 5km to an existing franchisee’s locations. When Hungry Jack’s announced plans to open two new outlets in the Central Coast of New South Wales, the franchisee, Peregrine Pty Ltd, took the burger business to court, alleging the new stores would be a breach of the franchise agreement, the Franchising Code of Conduct, and the Australian Consumer Law.

Planning 299
article thumbnail

Rite Aid Restructuring Would Cut $2 Billion in Debt, Settle Opioid Claims

Retail TouchPoints

Rite Aid has filed a restructuring plan with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court , District of New Jersey that would cut more than $2 billion in debt and keep a large portion of the retailer’s store fleet operating. If approved, the plan would transfer ownership to the drugstore’s senior bondholders and settle certain opioid overprescribing lawsuits, according to the Wall Street Journal and other media outlets.

article thumbnail

Amazon’s Just Walk Out has Left the Building

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon is removing its cashierless Just Walk Out (JWO) technology from its Amazon Fresh supermarkets and will not deploy the solution in new locations scheduled to open later this year, according to multiple media reports. The retailer will instead rely more heavily on its smart Amazon Dash Carts , which have been deployed at Fresh stores since 2020 as well as at Amazon subsidiary Whole Foods.

article thumbnail

Salvos opens 400th store, 25 more planned this year

Inside Retail

Salvos Stores , The Salvation Army’s retail arm, will open its 400th shop on High Street in Melbourne’s Northcote. The store is the Christian charity’s 11th to open this year and Salvos said it plans to add another 25 by the end of the year. Salvo Stores sell pre-loved items at affordable prices, raising more than $44 million last year to support The Salvation Army’s network of more than 2000 community programs and services nationwide. “As we continue to expand our networ

Planning 290
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Foot Locker debuts new store concept in New Jersey; Melbourne to come

Inside Retail

Footwear and apparel retailer Foot Locker has debuted a new concept store in New Jersey that it says offers an elevated shopping experience and customer service. The retailer launched the new format at its Willowbrook Mall location and plans to incorporate learnings from this concept into future stores internationally, including in Melbourne later this year.

article thumbnail

Retailers Get Real with AI: Four AI-Powered Apps We’ll See this Year

Retail TouchPoints

We are past the point of conjecture about whether AI will upend the retail industry; it already has. In a recent study sponsored by Nvidia, 69% of retailers that used AI in 2023 reported that it increased revenues, and 72% said it reduced operating costs. With these kinds of results, it is no wonder 81% of retail leaders feel an urgent need to deploy AI this year, according to a Google report.

Consumer 290
article thumbnail

Best Buy Adds Generative AI to its Customer Service Toolkit

Retail TouchPoints

Best Buy is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud to leverage generative AI technology for new customer service tools. The retailer also is working with Google Cloud and Accenture to develop new AI-powered tools for its frontline associates. As early as late summer, Best Buy customers in the U.S. will be able to connect with a gen AI-powered virtual assistant for help with tasks like troubleshooting product issues , rescheduling or combining order deliveries , managing software , Geek Squa

article thumbnail

Aldi tops customer satisfaction rankings for fourth year in a row

Inside Retail

Aldi bagged the Supermarket of the Year 2023 title from the Roy Morgan’s Customer Satisfaction Awards – for the seventh time and the fourth consecutive year. The supermarket chain boasted an average 95.7 per cent customer satisfaction score. “This the fourth consecutive year that we’ve received the award, and at a time when shoppers are continuously seeking better value, we have never been more aware of the need to continue to deliver on our promise to offer Aussies the highest quali

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Best Buy, Microsoft Celebrate Earth Month by Turning ‘E-Waste’ into Couture

Retail TouchPoints

Best Buy , one of the largest retail collectors of e-waste in the U.S., is partnering with Microsoft on a new activation designed to inspire consumers to recycle their unwanted laptops and tablets. During Earth Month in April, customers can bring in any eligible laptop or tablet to a Best Buy store for recycling and save $50 on a Surface device. These recycled devices will then be used for an innovative contest powered by Junk Kouture , a youth-focused sustainable fashion competition.

Fashion 289
article thumbnail

Retailers Must Adopt a Technology-First Strategy to Survive

Retail TouchPoints

We’ve all heard the analogy of the boiling frog: when a frog is put into a pot of boiling water, it will instantly jump out. However, when the frog is immersed into a pot of lukewarm water that is slowly brought to a boil, the frog doesn’t sense any danger and ultimately perishes. There’s an analogy here to what is happening in retail, as retailer leaders have become increasing immersed in technology-driven innovation over the past decade.

article thumbnail

GNC Debuts New Section Dedicated to Supporting GLP-1 Patients

Retail TouchPoints

Health retailer GNC has debuted a new store section , dedicated to helping individuals who are using GLP-1 medications like Ozempic to mitigate and manage the side effects of the powerful weight loss drugs. The new section will be featured in all of the retailer’s 2,300+ U.S. locations. As many as 130 million Americans currently live with a condition that could be treated with a GLP-1 agonist, and as many as 70 million Americans could be using the medication by 2028 , according to some estimates

Location 286
article thumbnail

How Retail Tech Solutions Address Stadium Concessions Gripes

Retail TouchPoints

The retail technology revolution has brought forth many new innovations such as palm scanning and AI chatbots over the last few years, all of which have sought to meet the same goal: improving the customer experience. Through AI and other technologies, customers in grocery stores, clothing outlets and other convenience-style shops no longer need to wait in line to check out.

Checkout 285
article thumbnail

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.