Sat.May 30, 2020 - Fri.Jun 05, 2020

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Mobile, Voice, Facial Recognition: Contactless Options Could Thrive Even Post-COVID-19

Retail TouchPoints

COVID-19 has accelerated the contactless revolution: 84% of Americans ( 77% among global consumers) now expect to increase their use of touchless technologies to avoid physical contact for the remainder of the pandemic, with 55% ( 63% globally) planning to continue doing so afterward, according to a survey by Capgemini. More than two-thirds ( 69% ) of retail executives also expect enthusiasm for contactless options will continue.

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Your Store has Reopened, Now What?

Retail Adventures

The COVID-19 shutdown put retailers at a disadvantage and now everyone is playing catch up. In addition to keeping associates and customers safe via the guidelines imposed by your state and community, you still have a store to run. It’s important to keep your eye on the future. We will still have a Black Friday and Holiday 2020 and you have to be prepared.

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Wiser’s Quick Guide to D2C Marketing

Wiser

Direct-to-consumer retail is not a new business model, but the rise of e-commerce has changed the retail playing field by making it easier for D2C startups to compete. Previously stale product categories have had new life breathed into them by D2C startups that cut out the middlemen. It’s an exciting field that has excited consumers and opened a new level of competition for traditional retailers.

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3 Types of Data You Need to Explode Sales in Your Highest Priority Accounts

RepslyBlog

For CPG brands mastering the retail channel is a massive opportunity, but those who have played in the space before know it takes a committed investment to reap the benefits. To make the most of that investment, CPG sales and marketing teams are putting data at the forefront of their retail execution efforts, unlocking the insight they need to prioritize and maximize high-opportunity initiatives.

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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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Retail’s New Normal: Here’s What Retailers Should Focus On As The Country Continues To Reopen

Retail TouchPoints

The COVID-19 pandemic brought into sharp focus which retailers were better prepared to weather massive market disruption and which were not. Supply chain challenges, technology gaps and dwindling cash reserves have resulted in locked-up inventory, lost sales and, in extreme cases, bankruptcies. Retailers have scrambled to ensure customers are able to get essential items as quickly as possible, using different methods to remain contact-free such as curbside pickup, social distancing while shoppin

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Make Every Physical Store Visit Count!

DMS Retail

Accomplish so much more…get maximum ROI…and reduce the number of physical store visits. It goes without saying that store visits are happening in your retail organization. Whether they are happening with the right frequency or being properly executed are things only you can know. You would know if you see quantifiable results following store visits, right?

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How Kroger Vendors Can Find Sales Opportunities Faster in Repsly

RepslyBlog

One of the biggest challenges of selling to Kroger is also the biggest opportunity: there are nearly 3,000 Kroger store locations in the U.S, and many of them are among the busiest stores in the country. Offering in-store support for your brand from coast to coast, or even in just a few key geographies, is essential, and sending your sales reps to do routine audits and merchandising can give your brand a big advantage — but supporting so many stores is expensive.

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Employee And Management Upskilling Must Go Beyond New Safety Protocols

Retail TouchPoints

As retailers continue to reopen their stores, employee training and empowerment are coming to the forefront. And although store managers and associates will play a crucial role in how the industry moves forward, industry experts affirm that all members of the retail enterprise — from the C-level on down — must prioritize learning and development in order to acquire the skills needed to adapt and evolve in a world affected by COVID-19.

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Technology key for retail continuation during COVID19 Pandemic

Retail Technology Review

Please find enclosed the invoice for the design and layout of Craft Butcher April issue. The retail sector cannot escape the economic impact of COVID-19. But, despite the difficult economic outlook, is now the time to invest in technology?

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Leveraging Audiovisual Technology To Create Retail Destinations That Continuously Evolve

Retail TouchPoints

According to 2018 research into retail technology adoption by AVIXA, the Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association, 47% of retailers surveyed said they planned to increase the amount of digital signage in their stores. When we asked shoppers what they thought of the many displays, videowalls and other digital experiences popping up in retail, more than half took a utilitarian view — it helped them find products and/or learn about them — but a whopping 41% said it added to their enjoyment

Planning 239
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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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Report: Simon Sues Gap Over Nearly $66 Million In Unpaid Rent

Retail TouchPoints

Simon Property Group is suing Gap on the grounds that the retailer has failed to pay more than $65.9 million in rent and other charges during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to CNBC. Gap stopped paying rent on its temporarily closed stores in April, a move that was expected to save approximately $155 million in monthly costs. Gap and its banners, including Banana Republic and Old Navy , operate 412 stores at Simon properties, making it one of the mall operator’s biggest in-line tenants in terms

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As Protests Continue, Retail CEOs Express Empathy, Opposition To Racism

Retail TouchPoints

Over the past several days, executives from diverse retail companies issued statements and social media posts to employees and customers, seeking to compassionately address the strong feelings stirred up by the death of George Floyd and racism in general. Even as their stores were being looted as many protests turned into nightly riots, retailers avoided criticizing those actions or the perpetrators.

ATS 226
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Is COVID-19 Rewriting The Rules For Retail Personalization?

Retail TouchPoints

Add To Calendar. COVID-19 means retailers must go back to basics in many areas, including their personalization efforts, according to Brendan Witcher, Principal Analyst for Digital Business Strategy for Forrester. That requires retailers to put themselves in their customers’ shoes, asking consumers what they need (and want) right now from retailers — and being aware that these answers are likely to change dramatically as the pandemic proceeds.

Consumer 225
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Three Estonian Grocers Roll Out Automated Freestanding Pickup Units

Retail TouchPoints

Estonian grocery chains Coop Estonia , Selver and Prisma will deploy the Cleveron 501 robotic grocery solution at some of their stores. The stand-alone units are installed in parking lots near supermarkets, allowing shoppers to pick up their orders at a designated time by simply entering a PIN on a user console. Each unit is 25 square meters in size and climate-controlled for continuous operation all year.

Grocer 222
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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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WSJ: Stitch Fix To Lay Off 1,400 California Stylists, Hire 2,000 In Less Expensive Areas

Retail TouchPoints

Stitch Fix is reportedly laying off 1,400 stylists, or about 18% of its total staff, according to The Wall Street Journal. The retailer will provide severance payments and bonuses as well as extended healthcare coverage for affected employees. Most of the layoffs will take place in September, and those affected will be able to stay with the company if they relocate to a less expensive area.

Planning 216
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Retail Intelligence: How Hard-Fought Lessons From The Shop Floor Can Give E-Commerce Businesses An Edge

Retail TouchPoints

Every retail journey — whether it’s a browse through a neighborhood store or a series of clicks through a web site — involves two simple things: First, a customer intention; and Second, an outcome, which, ideally for both retailer and customer, is a sale. To optimize the journey toward this desired outcome, the customers’ experience is everything: how seamlessly they find what they’re looking for, how confident they are that a product will suit their need, how comfortable they are with who’s sel

Shopping 200
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Gap Reports 43% Sales Drop In Q1 As Store Closures Outweigh 13% E-Commerce Growth

Retail TouchPoints

Gap was hit hard by the closure of 90% of its stores during Q1 2020, resulting in a 43% sales drop and a net loss of $932 million. While e-Commerce sales rose 40% year-over-year in April and 100% during May, total online growth for the quarter was just 13% , below the results reported by some other retailers. Results for Gap’s individual banners varied, though none escaped the quarter unscathed: Gap: Net sales down 50% , store sales down 64% and e-Commerce sales down 5%.

Fashion 200
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Shapermint #MakeTheCall Mother?s Day Campaign Tops 12 Million Impressions

Retail TouchPoints

Historically, marketers have used Mother’s Day to tug at consumers’ heartstrings in order to get them to open their wallets. But this year, things were different. With many consumers still socially distancing, Mother’s Day gatherings were limited to video chats and driveway meetups. These realities significantly changed the dynamics of the holiday, driving brands like Shapermint to rethink the way they spoke to their audience.

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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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Food Lion Will Purchase 62 Stores From Southeastern Grocers

Retail TouchPoints

Food Lion will acquire 62 BI-LO / Harveys Supermarket stores in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia from Southeastern Grocers. The grocery retailer expects to hire more than 4,650 associates to keep the new locations staffed. The locations will retain the BI-LO and Harvey’s names until the transaction is complete, a process that is expected to take place over a staggered period from January through April 2021.

Grocer 200
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Tractor Supply Launches New Mobile App And Redesigned Web Site

Retail TouchPoints

Accelerating previously planned technology investments, Tractor Supply has launched its first mobile app and a redesigned e-Commerce site in order to meet the needs of customers relying more on digital devices since the beginning of the pandemic. As an essential retailer during the COVID-19 shutdowns, Tractor Supply also has seen a sales surge in its stores.

Returns 200
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Lamps Plus Promotes Insider To COO Position

Retail TouchPoints

Clark Linstone, a 30-year veteran at Lamps Plus , has added Chief Operating Officer (COO) to his portfolio, overseeing e-Commerce, store and distribution center operations. Linstone also will retain his current title of CFO, and he remains in charge of both Lamps Plus Hospitality, the company’s hotels and resorts trade business, and Pacific Coast Lighting, a wholesale portable lighting company.

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Crisis Impacts: Bending The Retail Cost Curve

Retail TouchPoints

While the world is busy bending the curve in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, retailers are busy bending a curve of their own — the cost curve — as businesses f ight for survival. Though retailers are tempted to cut costs through the reduction of human capital, many are doing so without considering the long-term impact. Given the additional expense to sever and then rehire people, coupled with the lag in initial productivity as new/re-hired employees ramp up to steady-state productivity,

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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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Maximizing Your Affiliate Marketing Program Is More Critical Than Ever

Retail TouchPoints

Customer journeys have been disrupted by COVID-19 and acquisition costs continue to rise, making it increasingly difficult to connect with consumers. In the absence of in-store interactions, affiliates can help provide shoppers with guidance and move them through the purchase funnel. Today’s path to purchase can comprise of as many as 10 to 12 touch points, interrupted, unclear and far from linear.

Marketing 194
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IAB CEO Randall Rothenberg: COVID-19 Has Accelerated ‘Storeless Discovery’

Retail TouchPoints

There have been plenty of “new realities” retail brands have had to adjust to over the past few months. The COVID-19 crisis has forced brands to reallocate staff and budgets, as well as adjusting to a world where digital has not only become a more dominant channel, but often the only option to connect with and serve customers. Retail TouchPoints recently spoke with Randall Rothenberg, CEO of IAB , a trade association for interactive marketing representing more than 600 leading media, marketing a

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Obsess Enables Full 360 Virtual Retail Showrooms

Retail TouchPoints

Obsess , an AR and VR platform, can create virtual showrooms for brick-and-mortar retailers looking to recapture reluctant customers. The experiences aim for immersion and accessibility across both desktop and mobile devices, with no need to download apps or use headsets. The Obsess platform capabilities include: Creating 360-degree showrooms through either photography or CGI; Showcasing merchandise in a branded environment; and High-resolution zooming to help shoppers check out items in greater

Fashion 179
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Tapi Carpets & Floors Rolls Out Issue Resolution Management System

Retail TouchPoints

UK-based Tapi Carpets & Floors will implement the IntelocateRETAIL issue resolution management system as it reopens its 135 stores. The software will help the retailer increase transparency and the speed at which it resolves COVID-19-related issues, with the larger goal of increasing cost efficiencies and enhancing communication. The cloud-based IntelocateRETAIL platform integrates with corporate email systems to enable rapid communication of issues that require central office attention or a

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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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Bynder Acquires Video Content Management Platform We Adapt

Retail TouchPoints

Digital asset management (DAM) platform Bynder has acquired We Adapt , a SaaS creative management platform that enables brands and agencies to automate and scale the creation and distribution of video advertising. We Adapt has been renamed Bynder Video Brand Studio and will be offered as an optional add-on module to the Bynder platform, or as a stand-alone.

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Walmart Analyst: Flexible Distribution, Honest Communications Supported Strong COVID-19 Response

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart ’s performance during COVID-19 represents a success story, with 10% same-store sales growth and a whopping 74% e-Commerce sales increase in Q1 2020. The retail giant was already poised to benefit from current conditions, but the degree of its success offers a treasure trove of lessons about operating in a crisis. Retail TouchPoints discussed the key elements of its strategy with Lei Duran, SVP, Knowledge Team Retail Insights at Kantar , who heads up the consultancy’s Walmart coverage.

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Tractor Supply, LVMH CEOs Join NRF Board Of Directors

Retail TouchPoints

The National Retail Federation (NRF) has elected two new members to its board of directors, Hal Lawton, President and CEO of Tractor Supply , and Anish Melwani, Chairman and CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. Prior to joining Tractor Supply in January 2020, Lawton served as President of Macy’s for two years. Earlier, he held SVP posts at eBay and Home Depot.

ATS 165
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WorkJam Releases Health Check Tool For Frontline Workers

Retail TouchPoints

WorkJam , an employee management solution provider, has released a new health check analysis tool for mobile devices. The software can help reopening retailers reduce the spread of COVID-19 among frontline employees and their customers while complying with local laws and regulations. Employers can use the solution to prompt workers to complete a recurring health check survey on their mobile devices that must be completed in order for them to clock in for a shift.

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The GTM Intelligence Era: ZoomInfo 2025 Customer Impact Report

ZoomInfo customers aren’t just selling — they’re winning. Revenue teams using our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform grew pipeline by 32%, increased deal sizes by 40%, and booked 55% more meetings. Download this report to see what 11,000+ customers say about our Go-To-Market Intelligence platform and how it impacts their bottom line. The data speaks for itself!