March, 2024

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Retention and loyalty – how to grow when the market is down

Inside Retail

The 2024 Australian Retail Outlook is out now. This must-read resource is packed with exclusive insights from Inside Retail’s survey of retailers about their performance, plans and predictions for the year ahead; trend analyses and advice from industry experts; and interviews with leading retailers, including Ikea, Lush, Outland Denim, Milligram, and many more, about their growth strategies in 2024 and beyond.

Marketing 290
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Salesforce Survey: 36% of Retail Employees Already Using Generative AI

Retail TouchPoints

Retailers have been eager to jump on the generative AI bandwagon: according to a new survey conducted by Salesforce and the Retail AI Council , retail executives estimate that 36% of their employees already are using generative AI today, with that figure projected to rise to 45% by 2025. Additionally, 93% of these retailers say they’re already using generative AI to support personalization of customer-facing communications like emails and product recommendations.

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Walmart Self-Checkout Experiment Sparks Controversy

Retail Wire

Walmart self-checkout lanes are possibly being reserved for select customers like Walmart+ subscribers and delivery drivers as part of an experimental phase where different methods are being tested.

Checkout 279
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Exclusive: Google Debuts New Retail Media Solution with Lowe’s as First Beta Tester

Retail TouchPoints

Google wants a bigger piece of the traffic driven by retail media advertising. To start getting it, the tech company has launched a new offsite retail media solution in closed beta. Lowe’s has signed on to be one of the first retailers to test the solution for what will be the first offsite retail media offering from Lowe’s One Roof retail media network on Google Search and Shopping inventory, according to a blog post that will be published today, which Retail TouchPoints reviewed in advance.

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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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Retailers suffer longest dip in sales since Covid-19 lockdown

Retail Gazette

Retailers are suffering from the longest dip in sales since the 2020 pandemic as consumers cut back for the fifth consecutive month. Like-for-like sales across fashion, homewares and lifestyle slipped 1.3% in February, according to new figures from accountancy firm BDO. Fashion was hit the hardest, with overall sales down 4.8% and instore sales plunging 8.2% last month.

Wholesale 145
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White paper: Re-Telling Retail

Retail Focus

The dynamics of storytelling in the volatile retail landscape have fundamentally changed and will shape our perception of the future. In this report in partnership with Retail Focus, James Breaks, Associate Director of Design at rpa: group , takes a close look into the past, present and future of our relationship with brands, and how we engage with them.

ATS 277

More Trending

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How to Never Put a Foot Wrong in Retail Media

Retail TouchPoints

Retailers that have recently launched their own retail media businesses should learn from what the established leaders already do. The biggest player, with 60% of the $45 billion market, is Amazon, followed by the likes of Walmart and Target, which, combined with a few other large players, are expected to take a combined 25% of the space, according to Boston Consulting Group.

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The unexpected impact of international retail disrupters Temu and Shein

Inside Retail

While Australia has its own unique retail ecosystem, the ripples of what happens in the US often hit our shores. That typically includes the ‘Super Bowl of advertising’: the actual Super Bowl. Along with the usual celeb-studded ads, this year there was something else that made people take note. Chinese-based online marketplace Temu had not one, but two ads in the main game broadcast on CBS with a total of six ads during the game day.

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Planning to Prevent Workplace Violence in Retail

Retail TouchPoints

A 2022 U.S. government study found an annual average of 1.3 million nonfatal workplace violence incidents between 2015 and 2019. This is a rate of eight nonfatal violent crimes per 1,000 workers aged 16 or older. In addition to the safety risk to employees and customers alike, workplace violence incidents are costly to retailers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that workplace violence costs employers more than $120 billion annually in claims, litigation, added

Planning 279
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Tyson Foods Faces Boycott After Report Claims Company Plans To Hire Asylum Seekers

Retail Wire

Tyson Foods, the well-known food processing company, finds itself in hot water as calls for a boycott surge due to allegations of planning to employ migrants at its factories.

Planning 340
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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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5 Tips to Add Extra Privacy in Your Outdoor Space

Retail Focus

A garden or outdoor space is somewhere to go to relax and unwind during the warmer months of the year, and during the colder months, we dream of all the improvements we can make once we’ve banished the frosts and snow. Anyone planning a garden overhaul in the next few weeks might want tips on how to add layers of extra privacy so that the space can be enjoyed fully.

Outdoor 246
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FTC Chair Lina Khan on Fighting ‘Gatekeeper Markets’ that Throttle Fair Competition

Retail TouchPoints

For a long time, the American public has hit the “mute” button about the dangers of too much corporate consolidation. One bit of evidence: a decades-long decline in the frequency of the word “monopoly” in published books from a peak in 1949, according to data from Google. But those attitudes appear to be changing, in some cases dramatically.

Marketing 328
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3 Ecommerce Logistics Trends that are Changing Retail Right Now

Retail TouchPoints

The ecommerce industry has experienced rapid growth in recent years, with global sales reaching an estimated $5.8 trillion in 2023, according to research by Statista. The same study suggests this trend is only expected to continue: by 2027, the global retail ecommerce market is projected to grow by 39% and surpass the $8 trillion mark. As ecommerce sales continue to grow, so does the focus on logistics, enabling retailers to meet the rising demand for shipping.

Shipping 312
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Piercing salon SkinKandy heads across the Tasman

Inside Retail

Piercing retailer SkinKandy is expanding into New Zealand, with Westfield Riccarton in Christchurch as its first location in the country. “Exciting growth continues at SkinKandy. Our international growth journey starts with hoardings up at our first store locations in New Zealand, getting ready to bring the piercing revolution to the amazing people of Aotearoa,” SkinKandy CEO Dain Friis said.

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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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Wonder Group Raises $700M in Funding, Plans 90 Locations by 2026

Retail TouchPoints

Former Walmart exec and Jet.com founder Marc Lore and his newest company Wonder Group have raised $700 million from various investors to support its Vision, Capital and People (VCP) plan , which is designed to support the business’ execution and scale, Lore revealed in a LinkedIn post. The funding round was led by existing investors NEA, GV, Accel, Bain Capital Ventures, Forerunner, Alpine and Harmony — a who’s who in the venture capital world.

Location 312
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Urban Efficiency: Strategies for Streamlining Last Mile Delivery Amid Growing Congestion

Retail TouchPoints

Recent reports show that traffic delays cost U.S. drivers an average of 51 hours of lost time in 2022, and that number is on the rise — in 2021, the average was 36 hours. For the typical commuter, those lost hours can be frustrating. They extend the workday and increase fuel expenses. In fact, some studies have even found that traffic takes a toll on drivers’ health by increasing stress levels.

Location 303
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Getting to Grips with Gen Z

Retail TouchPoints

Gen Z consumers are neither easy to define nor predictable in their shopping habits. The consumer cohort born between 1996 or 1997 and 2010 and 2020 (there is no complete agreement here) is hard to read and reach because they are a product of the world they have been born into, one where change is constant, frequent and often unexpected. Among the many influences on their behaviors has been technology, because they have grown up with fixed and mobile screens.

Consumer 303
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Google Personalizes Shopping Experience Using Customer’s Ratings and Brand Preferences

Retail TouchPoints

Google has begun using the zero-party data of customers’ thumbs-up/thumbs-down style ratings and brand preferences to better personalize its shopping experience, helping consumers find the exact products they want among the 45 billion listed by the search engine. These tools join Google’s AI-powered image generation feature, which shows customers photorealistic images that illustrate text queries like “colorful quilted spring jacket.

Shopping 299
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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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Staples Simplifies Battery Recycling with New At-Home Program

Retail TouchPoints

To mark Earth Month in April, Staples is launching a battery recycling program that has already seen recycling rates soar from less than 50 batteries per week to thousands per location in test stores. Beginning in April, the retailer will offer a free battery recycling box (while supplies last), in which consumers can collect batteries at home and return them to Staples for free recycling.

ATS 298
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Lawmaker Queries FDA Over Neuralink Inspection

Retail Wire

U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer, deeply embedded in health policy, has directed inquiries toward the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). His concern? Why the FDA didn't scrutinize Elon Musk's Neuralink before greenlighting human trials for its brain implants.

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How Bal Harbour Shops’ Unique Traveling Mall Connects with Luxury Consumers

Retail TouchPoints

Matthew Whitman Lazenby and his family have never dreamed small. Back in the 1950’s his grandfather, Stanley Whitman, decided to open a luxury shopping mall in Florida that would rival Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue. Inspired by the Lincoln Road shopping district in nearby Miami Beach, Bal Harbour Shops and the Whitman family — who still own and operate the enterprise — have continuously flown in the face of convention — and found enormous success as a result.

Shopping 299
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Designing Medtail Spaces that Enhance the Patient Experience

Retail TouchPoints

The innovative concept of “Medtail” seamlessly integrates healthcare services into retail environments. This blend of medical expertise and retail convenience is revolutionizing the landscape of patient care, changing both where healthcare is delivered and how patients experience it. Moving beyond the conventional boundaries of hospitals and clinics, this approach offers unprecedented convenience and accessibility by bringing healthcare closer to where people shop, eat, and engage in their

Consumer 298
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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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Patagonia Workers in Reno Store Vote to Join Union

Retail TouchPoints

The associates at a Patagonia store in Reno, Nev. have voted to join the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 711 , marking the first successful unionization effort at a Patagonia store. Along with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU), the UFCW has been making inroads at other outdoor retailers recently, organizing nine REI locations across the U.S. with the RWDSU and five Vertical Endeavors climbing gyms in Minnesota.

Outdoor 299
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Miniso Continues U.S. Expansion with Plans for 12 New Stores

Retail TouchPoints

China-based lifestyle retailer Miniso is continuing its rapid expansion across the U.S., with plans for stores in a dozen new markets through a partnership with mall operator CBL Properties. The first wave of store openings started in November 2023 at malls in Roanoke, Va. and Winston-Salem, N.C., followed by a January 2024 opening in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Planning 289
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Starbucks Surpasses Subway as World’s Second-Largest Restaurant Chain

Retail Wire

Starbucks has surged past Subway to claim the title of the world’s second-largest restaurant chain.

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Planning to sell online in the US? Here are some tactics to ensure success

Inside Retail

Selling online in the US can be lucrative, as many Australian retailers and brands are discovering. But there is a fine line between success and failure. Tara Daly, senior director of product marketing at Loop Returns , shares with Inside Retail advice on getting started in the US market, some tips on cross-border shipping and logistics – including managing returns in a way that builds customer loyalty – and how to drive repeat business.

Planning 290
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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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‘No viable offers’: Godfreys to be wound down

Inside Retail

Godfreys will be closed down after its administrators failed to seal a favourable acquisition proposal for the collapsed vacuum retailer. PWC received 55 expressions of interest and six indicative offers during the sale process. However, some of the interested parties withdrew while the others did not provide a sufficient offer to secure the business in the long term.

Returns 290
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E.l.f. Creates Original Song to Celebrate First-Ever TikTok Shop Super Brand Day Sale

Retail TouchPoints

E.l.f. Cosmetics will be the first brand featured in a TikTok Shop Super Brand Day, which will put the brand front and center on the social media platform from March 31 to April 3, 2024. The special TikTok activation will complement E.l.f.’s larger celebration of the brand’s 20th anniversary and also mark its one-year anniversary on TikTok Shop. E.l.f was an early adopter of the TikTok platform as well as its Shop functionality. “E.l.f. has thrived on TikTok Shop by creatively engaging wit

Shopping 289
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Dick’s to Open 16 Next-Gen ‘50K’ Stores, Expand House of Sport Format in 2024

Retail TouchPoints

Dick’s Sporting Goods posted strong results in fiscal 2023, which ended Feb. 3, 2024, with $13 billion in net sales, 5% higher than the previous year, and a 2.4% increase in comp store sales. For the coming fiscal year, the retailer is planning $800 million in CapEx expenditures to fund a major brick-and-mortar expansion that will enlarge its total store square footage by 2% — its largest physical expansion since 2017.

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Myer names Olivia Wirth as CEO

Inside Retail

Department store chain Myer has appointed non-executive director Olivia Wirth as CEO and executive chair, effective June 4. Wirth will succeed current CEO and MD John King, who will remain in his role until June 3 to facilitate the transition and handover. Previously, Wirth served as the CEO of Qantas Loyalty, where she worked for nearly 15 years. “Since joining the board last year, Olivia has demonstrated impressive commercial acumen and an acute understanding of the dynamics facing both Myer a

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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.