May, 2021

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Australians’ use of loyalty programs tested during pandemic

Inside Retail

Covid-19 tested many parts of the way Australians interact with the retail industry, and their commitment to loyalty programs was not spared. According to the most recent For Love or Money 2021 report, published by The Point of Loyalty, while 88 per cent of Australians are a part of at least one loyalty program, only 43 per cent actively used them (at least once) in 2021 – a far cry from the 53 per cent recorded in 2018.

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How retail outlets can keep costs down

Retail Focus

In a time of economic downturn, most businesses will be looking for ideas on how to cut costs and maximise their profits wherever possible. In the retail sector, there have been limited opportunities for small businesses to function, and therefore make enough sales revenue to stay afloat. Here are the top ways in which retail outlets can keep costs down.

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Retail’s Last-Mile Challenge

Retail TouchPoints

In London, as shoppers return to storied Oxford and Spencer streets after long COVID-19 lockdowns, they’re being greeted by the sight of boarded-up windows and a $23.4 trillion global retail industry in a state of flux. Arcadia Group’s Topshop, Bon Marche, Debenhams and TM Lewin are just a sampling of the iconic names among 60 UK retailers that have failed so far through the pandemic — representing nearly 6,500 stores and 129,000 employees.

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In a first for c-stores, Sheetz will accept cryptocurrency

Retail Wire

Sheetz, the 600+ store chain located in Mid-Atlantic states, is working with “pure-digital” payments firm Flexa and NCR to give customers the ability to pay with a range of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, ether, litecoin and dogecoin, according to a company news release. Sheetz claims to be the “first convenience store chain to accept Bitcoin and other digital currencies in-store and at pump.

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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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Art meets retail to battle COVID-19 restrictions

Tokinomo

One of the most important skills is the power to adapt in difficult situations. While some simply adapt, others find innovative ways to tackle the problem. During this pandemic, all industries were affected in a way or another and retail was no exception. However, unlike museums and art galleries, essential stores were able to keep their doors open.

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5 Ways Advanced Data Can Help Improve eCommerce Conversions

Intelligence Node

Data is the new gold! Gone are the days when you had a small store on the corner of a street where all the customers in the neighborhood came to do their shopping. You knew each and every one of them. You had personal relationships with them, knew their likes and dislikes, their preferences, and […]. The post 5 Ways Advanced Data Can Help Improve eCommerce Conversions appeared first on Blog.

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FREITAG opens new store in Bangkok

Retail Focus

The 100-sq.m FREITAG store is divided into two zones: the sales area, and the Sweat-Yourself Shop, where DIY-minded consumers can assemble and put the final touches to their own unique items using semi-finished products and tarp remnants from the Factory in Zurich. The interior architecture and store design, an amazing mix of customer-friendly heights and upcycled elements, were created in collaboration with local Supermachine Studio.

Shopping 317
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Delivery Platform Offers Carbon Offsets to Shipping Customers

Retail TouchPoints

The pandemic-fueled ecommerce surge has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in deliveries — and the fossil fuel emissions that accompany them. In early April 2021, carbon dioxide levels reached a record high of 420 parts per million , according to CO2 Earth , and scientists warn that emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 to avoid the worst aspects of climate change.

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Poor pay and health concerns push workers to jobs outside the restaurant biz

Retail Wire

Millions of restaurant workers lost their jobs due to the novel coronavirus pandemic and many of those found work in other industries that pay higher wages and offer more protection from the spread of the virus. Others workers, such as Jim Conway, chose to retire. Mr. Conway, who was first paid $2.13 an hour plus tips when he got into the restaurant business in 1982, chose to retire last year.

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Tribetailing: How to increase brand loyalty

Tokinomo

Brands are “fighting” to get the attention of customers and it is no easy task. There are hundreds of brands and it is hard to stay on top of the competition and be top of mind for shoppers.

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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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Why You Need to Take a Consumer-Centric Approach with Your Pricing

Intelligence Node

Setting context for 2021 & eCommerce Market Growth 1. Retail Has Transformed More In a Year Than in the Last 10 2020 was an unprecedented year and left the world in disruption and uncertainty. But, with the social distancing mandates and mandatory home quarantines came the sudden and lasting shift to eCommerce. Let’s look at […]. The post Why You Need to Take a Consumer-Centric Approach with Your Pricing appeared first on Blog.

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Woolworths, Big W, Endeavour introduce paid gender affirmation leave

Inside Retail

Employees across the Woolworths Group in Australia and New Zealand will be entitled to up to two weeks paid gender affirmation leave as part of policy changes introduced this week. The policy, which also includes two weeks unpaid leave, is designed to support transgender and gender diverse team members in affirming their gender, allowing time off to attend medical appointments, surgical procedures and undertake counselling, legal and administrative tasks, for example.

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Westfield celebrates the capital’s side hustle heroes

Retail Focus

In support of the capital’s creatives thriving through the pandemic, Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City are hosting social media brands that originated as side hustles in 2020 to support small business as non-essential retail re-opens. With over 85,000 online businesses created since the start of the pandemic* and nearly three quarters (74%) of consumers wanting to see retailers adapt to their local areas, Westfield has brought the online offline to provide shoppers with a one-of-a-ki

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Clothing, Home Décor and Travel Purchases Expected to Soar Over Memorial Day Weekend

Retail TouchPoints

This Memorial Day offers retailers an opportunity to benefit from pent-up demand: 48% of Americans plan to shop for something over Memorial Day weekend this year, according to a survey by BlackFriday.com conducted through Kelton. Additionally, 37 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home, an increase of 60% over 2020, according to AAA.

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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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Retailers, restaurants at odds with vendors over product supplies

Retail Wire

Food manufacturers say that labor shortages, product shortages and high transportation costs are making it difficult to keep up with the demand of retailers, restaurants and their customers. Some of the largest sellers of these products including Walmart and Sysco, however, are not satisfied with the explanations provided by vendors and have taken to fining them for incomplete orders and late deliveries.

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How Returns Drag Down Sustainability Efforts (and what Retailers can do About it)

Retail TouchPoints

It’s becoming increasingly clear that returns have costs that go well beyond the financial. Each year in the U.S., 5 billion pounds of returned goods end up in landfills and 15 million metric tons of carbon dioxide are emitted in the transportation of returns, according to research conducted by reverse logistics solution provider Optoro. Two trends are now converging to make the ecological problems of returns something that retailers can no longer ignore.

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Apple Via del Corso Store Debuts in Rome

Retail TouchPoints

Apple has opened its newest retail location — Apple Via del Corso — in Rome, marking its 17th store to open in Italy. Apple Via del Corso will serve as an all-new centrally located space for Apple team members to provide service and support to the local community. The store preserves the grand Palazzo Marignoli, paying homage to Rome’s rich history of art and culture, and making it one of Apple’s most significant restoration projects.

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Aldi Australia targets food in drive to eliminate waste to landfill

Inside Retail

Aldi Australia has taken another step toward more sustainable local operations, announcing it is committing to zero waste to landfill by 2025. The plan, according to Aldi, is to first focus on reducing food waste to landfill by 2023 by expanding segregated waste collection at stores and doubling food donations across its business, while executing on closed loop recycling opportunities within Aldi’s supply chain.

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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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WineDirect Partners with BigCommerce to Help Wineries Expand into Ecommerce

Retail TouchPoints

WineDirect , which offers DTC services for wineries around the world, has partnered with ecommerce platform BigCommerce to help the 2,000+ wineries in its ecosystem build out their online presence. Bolstered by the impact of COVID-19 on brick-and-mortar businesses, online alcohol shoppers more than doubled in the U.S. compared to 2019, with 44% purchasing alcohol online for the first time in 2021, according to research from IWSR.

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Walmart and Gap Partner to Launch Exclusive Home Essentials Line

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart and Gap have entered a strategic partnership to introduce Gap Home , a home essentials brand exclusive to Walmart. The collection, which will launch June 24, will feature more than 400 items across home décor, tabletop, bedding and bath, with styles designed for every space from college dorms to homes. The launch collection was designed with sustainability in mind and features items made with organic cotton and recycled materials as well as quality materials such as denim and chambray.

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Speed Counts at the Indy 500: Race Venue Debuts Fast, Convenient and Autonomous C-Store

Retail TouchPoints

Consumers are increasingly drawn to convent checkout experiences, from mobile POS and self-checkout to grab-and-go tech, and now even autonomous stores. Over the last year, Verizon has emerged as one of the pioneers of seamless, safe transactions, tapping the power of technology (and the use of its app) to deploy a “touchless retail” experience across its own store fleet.

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How Travel Restrictions Will Impact Retail and Consumer Spending This Summer

Retail TouchPoints

In America and all around the world, the long, slow climb back to normal is well under way. Some COVID-era restrictions remain, but with vaccines continuing to roll out and optimism in the air, it’s a perfect moment to consider what this summer might look like for shoppers and retailers. Before we talk about summer, let’s appreciate a few learnings that were revealed in a recent survey by RetailMeNot of 5,000 American consumers: COVID has and will have a lasting impact on shoppers, driving them

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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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Timothy Oulton to Open NYC Flagship in Former Lord & Taylor Space

Retail TouchPoints

Timothy Oulton , a British luxury furniture brand, has signed a 10-year lease for a 7,170-square-foot retail space at 901 Broadway at 20th Street in New York’s popular Flatiron District. The store will serve as the retailer’s East Coast flagship, and will be the brand’s largest retail presence in the region. The new store resides in a portion of a larger historic landmark building, designed and constructed in 1870 in the French Second Empire style by James H.

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Leek United Derby Street branch reopens after refurbishment

Retail Focus

Leek United Building Society has reopened its flagship Derby Street branch following a six-week transformation. The new look branch features several zones where customers can undertake traditional counter transactions, browse products and services, and enjoy relaxed and comfortable conversations in formal and informal meeting spaces. The modern surroundings incorporate an innovative community area for seminars and educational events as well as digital screens and video conferencing facilities.

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Microsoft Partners With Chinese Solution Provider to Boost IT Efficiency and Security

Retail TouchPoints

Microsoft ’s China arm is partnering with Chinese electronic shelf label (ESL) provider Hanshow to empower its global expansion in the retail industry. Under the strategic collaboration, Hanshow will adopt Microsoft Azure operated by 21Vianet for its operations while also prioritizing Microsoft technology for its solutions to retail clients. This will unify Hanshow’s global information systems to improve efficiency and security.

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Anya Hindmarch launches new shopping village

Retail Focus

The culmination of 2 years of work and the realisation of founder Anya Hindmarch’s long-held dream, Anya Village launched on the Cadogan Estate in London’s Chelsea this week. The Village is a collection of five neighbouring Anya Hindmarch stores located near Sloane Street. The ‘houses’ will be ever-evolving and offer unique collaborations throughout the year.

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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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Three Ways Retailers Can Avoid Accessibility Lawsuits and Reach Even More Customers Online

Retail TouchPoints

The COVID-19 pandemic has only heightened the move away from the physical walk down store aisles to the seamless clicks of buttons and consumers’ reliance on the internet for retail purchases. The trend was never surprising. Making a purchase on the internet is fast, convenient, and all-encompassing. Your mousepad becomes a shopping cart to whatever you want, whenever you want it and wherever you need it.

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Wren Kitchens opens in Durham with state-of-the-art showroom

Retail Focus

Wren Kitchens , the fastest growing retailer on UK high streets as recognised by The Telegraph, has expanded its presence across the country with the opening of its 105th showroom at Durham City Retail Park. The former B&M unit has been completely transformed over a three-month period and has created 21 new jobs in the community including kitchen designers, managers and home surveyors.

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Selfridges says, I do

Retail Focus

This summer, Selfridges will offer a wedding experience for couples looking for a non-traditional ceremony in a venue like no other. Over the last year, restrictions around ceremonies and receptions have halted or postponed over 150,000 couples’ plans – that’s over 60% of the number of weddings scheduled to happen in 2020. Newly engaged couples are struggling to find wedding venues, booked up far in advance.?

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Circle K Pilots Beverage Subscription Program to Encourage Shoppers’ Return

Retail TouchPoints

Circle K is launching its Sip & Save beverage subscription, a pilot program that will offer customers who pay $5.99 per month one tea, coffee, Froster slushy or Polar Pop fountain drink of their choice every day, according to CNBC. The retailer is seeking to drive foot traffic as shoppers return to stores following the pandemic and the launch coincides with a plan to hire 20,000 new associates.

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Is Your Business AI-Ready? Find Out with Orium’s Maturity Model

Generative AI is poised to redefine B2B, but scaling AI success in this space isn’t without obstacles. From fragmented data sources and complex buyer journeys to operational inefficiencies, the road to AI-powered growth can be challenging. To achieve a competitive edge, understanding your organization’s AI-readiness is essential. Orium's Data & AI Maturity Model provides a quick, actionable way to assess your starting point.