October, 2024

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Pet-Friendly Retail: Design for Sights, Smells and Sounds

Retail TouchPoints

As a geriatric millennial who lives and works in the greater Charlotte region of North and South Carolina, I notice pet-friendly establishments have become the expectation. Our temperate climate with ample sunshine and green space encourages spending time outside and sharing it with four-legged friends. But even comfortable environments like Charlotte’s have their limitations – after all, our iconic tree line requires ample rain.

Outdoor 273
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Big 4 supermarkets face £200m blow from National Insurance hike

Retail Gazette

Britain’s biggest supermarkets face paying an extra £200m in National Insurance contributions as the Chancellor is set to unveil the hike in the Budget tomorrow. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons could be hit with an incremental tax bill from a two-percentage point hike in employer National Insurance contributions, Sky News reported. One analyst estimated that Tesco, which employs around 300,000 people in the UK, could be facing £75m added to its bill.

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Mosaic Brands expected to enter administration

Inside Retail

Mosaic Brands is expected to enter administration as early as todday, the Australian Financial Review has reported. FTI Consulting will facilitate the administration, according to the publication’s sources. Last month, the fashion retailer said it would wind down five of its brands to focus on its other five businesses as it struggles to remain afloat due to operational issues.

Fashion 290
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McDonald’s Location Employed ‘Modern Slaves’ in Human Trafficking Ring, According to Report

Retail Wire

A new report threatens to leave a stain on McDonald's good name, as it was revealed that a franchisee engaged in human trafficking involving what the arrest report is calling "modern slavery.

Location 319
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The Evolving Retailers Fulfillment Strategy: Meeting Demands with Agility

Speaker: Becky Parisotto

Fulfillment is no longer just about getting products from point A to point B – it's about crafting seamless, scalable, customer first experiences. Flexible fulfillment strategies are more important than ever for those aiming to stay ahead and build resilience as retail enters a new era in 2025. Learn how to optimize fulfillment processes, tackle complex, multi-vendor orders, and create seamless customer experiences – from white-glove delivery for high-value items to quick-ship solutions for ever

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Gas Station Payment Security: Best Practices for a Safer Experience

National Retail Solutions

Modern payment technologies like EMV chips, contactless options, and mobile apps are transforming gas station security, reducing fraud, and ensuring safer, faster transactions for customers and businesses alike. The post Gas Station Payment Security: Best Practices for a Safer Experience appeared first on National Retail Solutions.

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Luxury brand pop-up store hyperlocal retail strategies

Retail Focus

Ghalia BOUSTANI. Retail Consultant | Published author | Visiting lecturer Hyper-local strategies have been increasingly applied by luxury brands to connect with specific communities through limited-time pop-up stores. Their ability to create highly curated experiences that are tailored to regional tastes, cultural preferences, and local consumers is made possible by this approach.

Location 246

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Kroger Deploys RFID to Improve Inventory Visibility, Beginning in the Bakery

Retail TouchPoints

Kroger will leverage RFID technology from Avery Dennison for item-level digital identification, enabling more frequent and accurate inventory information to help maximize freshness, reduce waste and improve the store associate experience. The supermarket will begin in the bakery department, implementing RFID-embedded labels on each item. “Our work with Avery Dennison will improve inventory visibility, which means products will be on the shelves when our customers want them, while enabling our as

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Generative AI in a New Retail Era: 3 Areas to Focus on for Immediate Impact

Retail TouchPoints

According to Cognizant’s recent study with Oxford Economics, generative AI is expected to have a $1 trillion impact on the economy by 2032. In particular, generative AI is revolutionizing the shopping landscape to create more personalized and memorable experiences for consumers. As retailers come to terms with the boundless potential of generative AI, Cognizant has identified three key areas where this technology will make the most significant and immediate impact: commerce, marketing and custom

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Mobile Wallets: Unlocking a Powerful New Marketing Channel

Retail TouchPoints

Earlier this year, Google added compelling new features to Google Wallet to help consumers get more out of their mobile wallet passes. With this update , developers can send wallet notifications, letting consumers receive notifications about any updates to cards or passes stored in their mobile wallet. As Google shares, that might look like a notification from your favorite coffee shop on their new daily special or an update if your assigned seat on your boarding pass changes.

Marketing 284
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Coffee Treat unveils franchise model, plans regional growth

Inside Retail

The Victorian hole-in-the-wall coffee shop Coffee Treat has launched into franchising, with plans to extend into country towns. Director Chelsea Hayward told Franchise Executives , “I’ve heard so many times people say they can’t get a decent coffee in the country. So by franchising, I aim to make it accessible to country people. They haven’t had a lot of variety in small country towns.

Planning 290
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Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Unlock agility, boost performance, and gain control over your Salesforce frontend with the latest masterclass from Composable.com : Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud Featuring experts from Algolia, Ember, Netlify, and Stripe, this masterclass focuses on practical strategies for optimizing your Salesforce Commerce Cloud storefronts using modern composable commerce integrations.

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Amazon planning ultra-cheap site to counter Temu, Shein

Inside Retail

Amazon is preparing to launch a low-cost storefront as it ramps up its fightback against Chinese deep-discounting rivals Temu and Shein. The US retail giant is imposing price caps for the first time in its history, regulating how much vendors can charge for their items in order to be featured on the new portal. “We are always exploring new ways to work with our selling partners to delight our customers with more selection, lower prices and greater convenience,” an Amazon spokesperson

Planning 286
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The AI Pricing Debate: Balancing Retail Innovation and Consumer Trust

Retail TouchPoints

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how retailers set prices, sparking public debate and drawing regulatory attention. The Federal Trade Commission’s recent announcement of an inquiry into “surveillance pricing”—the use of personal shopper data for individualized pricing—has intensified scrutiny of AI-driven pricing practices.

Consumer 301
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Patagonia Deploys New Resale Tech that Integrates Pre-Owned and New Products

Retail TouchPoints

Patagonia has become the first brand to make use of T r ove ’s new Resale Plugin, which allows brands to seamlessly integrate pre-owned items alongside new products on their existing ecommerce platforms. The Resale Plugin tool is designed to be a low-barrier solution for brands of all sizes to easily integrate resale into their offering. Trove has powered Patagonia’s existing Worn Wear resale program for years, and now Patagonia will be the first partner to adopt the Resale Plugin, further integ

Shopping 292
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The Reject Shop plans more stores as sales surge

Inside Retail

Discount variety retailer The Reject Shop plans to open more stores this year to support sales growth and increase profitability. In a trading update, the company said it is targeting to open 15-20 new stores in FY25. The chain currently has 386 stores nationwide, having opened 67 new stores and closed 35 underperforming ones since June 2020. According to chairman Steven Fisher, the discount variety sector presents a significant opportunity for growth over the medium to long term.

Planning 278
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Website Security Essentials: Protect Your Site and Strengthen Cybersecurity

In a digital-first world, website security is non-negotiable. This comprehensive guide explores the critical importance of securing your site against hackers and vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and malware. Discover tools like SiteLock for threat monitoring and CodeGuard for seamless backups, ensuring robust protection for your data and operations.

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Black Friday 2024: Why automation is critical for Australian retailers

Inside Retail

As the Black Friday 2024 shopping frenzy approaches, Australian retailers are gearing up for their biggest challenge yet – managing skyrocketing demand while staying efficient. The key to thriving? Automation. This year, Australian shoppers are expected to spend a jaw-dropping $6.7 billion during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend, up 5.5 per cent from 2023, according to Roy Morgan.

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Panic Buying of Toilet Paper Triggered by Dockworker Strike

Retail Wire

The recent dockworker strike is more likely to impact non-paper goods like electronics and cars.

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Shein Debuts Children’s Place Branded Storefront

Retail TouchPoints

The Children’s Place has opened an online storefront on the China-direct app Shein , marking a significant step for both retailers. Shein opened its online marketplace to third-party sellers in May 2023 , but until now most of those merchants have been China-based, non-branded manufacturers. The debut of a branded storefront from a well-known U.S. brand is new for Shein and comes right out of Amazon’s playbook.

Wholesale 271
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Wayfair Launches Paid Loyalty Program Offering 5% Rewards and Free Shipping

Retail TouchPoints

Wayfair has introduced Wayfair Rewards , a loyalty program with a $29 annual subscription price. Benefits include 5% back in rewards across Wayfair and its specialty and luxury brands, AllModern, Birch Land, Joss & Main and Perigold , as well as free shipping regardless of order size; both of these features are subject to some restrictions. Additional benefits include exclusive member-only sales with steep discounts on products across all categories, including national brands; early access t

Shipping 273
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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, 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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Costco Partners with Peloton for Seasonal Bike+ Offering

Retail TouchPoints

Costco will be the official retail partner for Peloton ’s first seasonal offer. Beginning Nov. 1, Costco will sell an exclusive Peloton Bike+ bundle in 300 U.S. stores and online through Feb. 15, 2025, or while supplies last. Costco has recently focused on expanding its service portfolio; in April 2024 the retailer added weight loss care to its partnership with Sesame.

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Luxury fashion retailer Harrolds collapses; creditors owed $16 million

Inside Retail

Luxury fashion retailer Harrolds has entered liquidation after 39 years of operations, owing $16.3 million. The company was founded in 1985 and, just last July, unveiled plans to relocate its stores in Sydney and Melbourne as part of an “ongoing transformatio n” Citing documents lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), News.com.au reported that the company owes more than 90 creditors, including Victoria Beckham’s company, owed $30,000.

Fashion 290
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Is the Fear of Fraud Leading to Loss of Sales? AI Can Help.

Retail TouchPoints

Fraud has plagued retailers for quite some time, but the issue is now getting its time in the spotlight due to the increased use of AI within the industry, as well as consumers’ general awareness of the trend. In fact, a recent survey found that 87% of consumers are concerned about identity theft or fraud – a 24% increase from 2023 findings, when only 63% of consumers reported feeling this same type of concern.

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Sensing, Not Seeing, with Vision AI as Retail’s Crystal Ball for the Future

Retail TouchPoints

The retail industry holds influence above many others. It’s almost always the first to embrace new waves of innovation, test and deploy new technologies, and integrate them into their businesses to create new, dynamic experiences to benefit customers, employees and ultimately — ROI. This has never been more apparent than now, as consumers look to elevate their in-store shopping experiences and expect the same versatility and ease that they have obtained with modern omnichannel retail.

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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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Clarks Continues Roblox Reign with ‘Stranger Things’ Drop

Retail TouchPoints

Nearly 80 million users visit Roblox each day, seeing it as an invaluable platform for self-expression and identity exploration. As a result, brands are now using Roblox to create incremental revenue opportunities via “twinned” items for users’ physical and avatar selves: 43% of respondents to Roblox’s Digital Expression, Fashion & Beauty Trends report said they want brands to provide such “twinning” items.

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David’s Bridal Says Yes to the Dress Again with New Resale Program

Retail TouchPoints

David’s Bridal has introduced Adored by David’s , a resale program that will be managed by Arrive Recommerce. Secondhand wedding, bridesmaid and special occasion dresses, along with accessories, will be available through a curated, dedicated online storefront at 40% to 50% savings. Arrive Recommerce will be responsible for receiving and inspecting inventory, assigning value and shipping items directly to customers.

Finance 278
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How to Navigate the Post-Purchase Communication ‘Minefield’

Retail TouchPoints

There’s no denying that consumers today expect more from the retail experience, and increasingly, that includes their experience with a brand even after a purchase is completed. In fact, 53% of shoppers view the post-purchase period as the most emotional part of any shopping experience. And beyond consumers’ heightened sensitivity to what happens after they click “buy,” retailers and brands also are recognizing how crucial the post-purchase moment is for their own success.

Consumer 284
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Woolworths books higher sales in fiscal first quarter

Inside Retail

Woolworths Group enjoyed higher sales in the fiscal first quarter brought by higher revenue across all its segments. The group’s sales grew 4.5 per cent to $18 billion as its Australian food segment increased 3.8 per cent to $13.6 billion and Australian B2B segment rose 6.9 per cent to $1.47 billion. Its New Zealand food segment went up 1.4 per cent to $1.93 billion, while W Living soared 17 per cent to $1.36 billion, reflecting its acquisition of Petstock in January.

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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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Save A Lot Launches First-Ever Rewards Program

Retail TouchPoints

Grocery chain Save A Lot has debuted its first-ever loyalty program — Save A Lot Rewards. Available via a new mobile app, Save A Lot Rewards offers shoppers points called “dots” that can be redeemed for rewards and free products. Independent Save A Lot Retail stores across the chain’s 750 -strong fleet will have the flexibility to customize the app with local offers alongside national offers; the app also features exclusive coupons and deals.

Wholesale 261
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How Gen AI is Helping Brands Handle the ‘Relentless Demand’ for Visual Content

Retail TouchPoints

Humans are visual creatures; it’s a biological trait developed way back when we all still lived in caves. The world has changed a bit since then, with things like electricity, grocery stores and the internet, but humans still rely on their eyes when gathering supplies — even though that process has become less about hunting and more about simply browsing and selecting.

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Amazon’s third quarter net income surges 54.5 per cent

Inside Retail

Amazon’s net income has surged on the back of higher third-quarter sales, breaking the trend of a modest slowdown with a stronger pace of growth than it delivered the previous quarter. The e-comme rce giant’s net income soared 54.5 per cent year on year to US$15.3 billion ($23.27 billion) as net sales rose 11 per cent to $158.9 billion ($241.6 billion).

Consumer 245
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Amazon’s Latest Ambition: ‘Full-Funnel Advertising at Scale, for Everyone’

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon is no stranger to the world of advertising having first introduced ads in its online store 20 years ago. But last year something big happened in the Amazon ecosystem — it introduced TV advertising on its Prime Video streaming service. The significance of that move was evident at the fourth annual Unboxed conference for Amazon advertisers, which was dominated by sizzle reels of Prime Video content, appearances by the stars of that content and, most importantly, lavish repetition of the wor

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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