Sat.Jan 15, 2022 - Fri.Jan 21, 2022

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Aldi opens first checkout-free supermarket

Retail Focus

Aldi has opened its first checkout-free store, where shoppers will be able to pick up products and leave without queuing to pay. The discount supermarket’s new site in Greenwich, south-east London, will also allow customers to buy alcohol, using facial age estimation technology to check whether they appear to be over the age of 25. Aldi has opened its first checkout-free store in Greenwich, south-east London (Aldi/PA).

Checkout 338
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Why Retailers’ Data Privacy Policies are the New Customer Experience

Retail TouchPoints

Brands have always focused on personal touches and customization for consumers, yet a recent eMarketer report found growing concerns around data privacy, with nearly nine out of 10 consumers saying it’s important to them. In fact, three out of 10 consumers worldwide have switched providers due to concerns with those companies’ data policies or data-sharing practices adding fuel to the fire.

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Most retailers adopt negative outlook in wake of Covid ‘wrecking ball’

Inside Retail

With consumer confidence sinking to its lowest in 30 years this week, most retailers now have a negative outlook of their businesses for the next three months according to the Australian Retailers Association. . The ARA’s research found that 63 per cent of retailers are worried about their business’ performance in the next three months, while 62 per cent have rated current trading conditions as ‘poor’ or ‘terrible’.

Location 264
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Carhartt keeps vax mandate, calls for boycott follow

Retail Wire

Carhatt’s management decided that it would keep its COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place even after the Supreme Court ruled that the government could not require it. CEO Mark Valade, in an email to employees, said, “We, and the medical community, continue to believe vaccines are necessary to ensure a safe working environment for every associate and even perhaps their households.

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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.

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Demand for Glass Moveable Walls Soars

Retail Focus

Glass moveable walls are today’s ‘en vogue’ method of creating light, airy, flexible space with specifications from architects and interior designers at an all-time high. According to Mark Cowley, who heads up the glazed Horizontal Sliding Walls (HSW) division of the UK’s leading moveable wall specialist, Style, the demand for glass partitioning systems has rocketed.

Shopping 246
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Walmart Steps Up Ecommerce Investment With Cross-Border Commerce and NFT Projects

Retail TouchPoints

Walmart is beefing up its ecommerce operations on several fronts via cross-border commerce, metaverse investments and a new executive. The retail giant announced that it is encouraging Indian retailers to join its U.S. marketplace, while CNBC has reported that the company plans to create its own cryptocurrency and collection of NFTs. The Wall Street Journal has reported that Tom Ward, currently SVP of Last Mile, will take over as President and CEO of U.S.

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Top retail resources for 2022: Blogs, podcasts, guides, newsletters

Tokinomo

2022 might be a challenging year for retailers. Considering the chain supply issues and the demanding customers, retailers, and brands need to keep up with trends and adapt quickly to change.

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Retail in 2022: Embracing the ‘store of the future’

Retail Focus

In recent years, retail has experienced a digital overhaul unmatched by other industries. Forced to adapt to a permanent shift in consumer behaviours and expectations as a result of the pandemic, the industry accelerated its digital transformation dramatically last year. Retailers large and small embraced technology solutions able to meet the needs of the post-pandemic consumer, and that was just the beginning.

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Forever 21 Names Longtime Paper Source Leader as CEO

Retail TouchPoints

Forever 21 has named Winnie Park as CEO, effective immediately. She joins from Paper Source , where she served as CEO for six years and helped transform the retailer from a brick-and-mortar-focused company into a lifestyle brand with a digital platform spanning social media, digital content, online subscriptions and affiliate partnerships. Park also oversaw its sale to an affiliate of Barnes & Noble.

Fashion 299
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Ebay Australia expands Authenticity Guarantee to luxury sneakers

Inside Retail

Ebay Australia has extended its Authenticity Guarantee to a range of high-end sneaker brands from designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Balenciaga. . Ebay’s Authenticity Guarantee is extended to both pre-owned and brand new sneakers priced at over $150. This comes after Ebay’s acquisition of Sneaker Con’s authentication business last November.

Shipping 261
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Less Stress, More Success: Accounting Best Practices & Processes for 2025

Speaker: Amanda Adams, Fractional CFO, CPA

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Amanda Adams, 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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Resale growth to continue upward trajectory in 2022

Retail Wire

Low prices, selection and environmental benefits are all part of the value proposition for second-hand clothing and other merchandise. Many retailers and brands are now looking at resale as an opportunity to further grow their sales while creating deeper connections with customers.

ATS 147
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Rituals opens at Liverpool ONE, its first store in the city

Retail Focus

Grosvenor has announced the opening of Rituals, the luxury bath, body and home brand at Liverpool ONE, its first in the city. Located on South John Street, the 1,700 sq ft store stocks the brand’s full range of luxurious yet affordable products, ranging from skin and body care, to scented candles and fragrance sticks. The opening of Rituals also marks the first store opening of the year for Liverpool ONE in 2022.

ATS 162
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Taking Your CSR Plans from ‘Good Intentions’ to Tangible Action

Retail TouchPoints

A previous blog explored Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the high importance both shoppers and employees put on the ability to align a company’s values and beliefs to their own. Retailers and CPG brands can use that strong desire to support like-minded businesses by developing CSR plans that resonate with their target audience, whether that’s a customer segment or a pool of key job candidates.

Planning 297
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B2B marketplace TradeSquare secures $28m funding from US investor

Inside Retail

Australian online wholesale marketplace startup TradeSquare has secured $28 million in funding from US investment firm Tiger Global. New York-headquartered Tiger specialises in the digital sector and was a key investor in the Australian consumer marketplace platform Catch, which was sold to Wesfarmers in 2019. After the sale, former Catch CEO Nati Harpaz and his business partner, entrepreneur Einat Sukenik, saw an opportunity to develop a B2B marketplace platform in 2020 resulting in the launch

Wholesale 246
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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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Bathrooms are going hi-tech

Retail Wire

Americans have spent much of the past two years investing money in their homes to make them more comfortable to live in. Technological advancements in bathroom fixtures are expected to have a profound effect going forward on dollars spent on this part of the house. No-touch faucets, smart showers and interactive makeup mirrors are just some of the changes due to hit America’s bathrooms.

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Frasers Group signs at St Anns shopping centre in Harrow

Retail Focus

Railpen, the investment manager for the £35bn Railways Pension Scheme, has announced the signing of a major new occupier, with Frasers Group, set to open Sports Direct, the British sports clothing retailer, at St Anns Shopping Centre in Harrow. Spanning 20,000 sq ft across two levels, Sports Direct will be located at the entrance to the shopping centre on College Road, opposite Lidl.

Shopping 162
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NRF Big Show 2022 Returns to In-Person Format Despite COVID Challenges

Retail TouchPoints

Against daunting odds, the 2022 Na tional Retail Federation Big Show once again brought retailers and suppliers face to face IRL from Jan. 16-18 at New York City’s Javits Center. The 112 th annual show featured 190 sessions, more than 300 speakers and 700+ exhibitors. Outgoing NRF Chairman Mike George, former President and CEO of Qurate Retail , drew a parallel between the event’s success and the performance of the retail industry over the past two years: “Retailers showed a willingness to embra

Returns 289
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Burberry’s focus on younger customers is paying off

Inside Retail

Burberry is continuing to make inroads with a younger demographic, reporting a 26-per-cent lift in sales of goods at full-price in the latest quarter driven by new customers. “Full-price sales continued to grow at a double-digit percentage compared with two years ago, accelerating from the previous quarter and reflecting a higher quality business,” said chair Gerry Murphy, releasing unaudited quarterly results today.

Markdowns 246
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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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Netflix says subscriber growth will slow

Retail Wire

Netflix added 8.3 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter to bring its worldwide total to 222 million. The video subscription service does not expect its sales trajectory to continue at the same pace in 2022. Netflix recently increased the monthly fees it charges for its basic and standard subscription plans.

Planning 130
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Forbidden Planet to move to the Wulfrun Centre

Retail Focus

Forbidden Planet, the world’s biggest chain of comic shops, is moving to the Wulfrun Centre, in Wolverhampton. The store, which specialises in graphic novels, manga and books, plus merchandise and collectibles from sci-fi television, films and comics, has agreed a new lease for units 54-55 with LCP, the national commercial property and investment company that owns and manages the centre.

Location 162
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How to Keep Your Loyalty Program Members Engaged Long-Term, Even After the Holidays

Retail TouchPoints

Retailers frequently ask customers to enroll in a loyalty program at point of sale — especially during the holiday shopping season. In fact, 61% of consumers have joined a loyalty program to get discounts for holiday shopping. For retailers, the challenge isn’t getting consumers to enroll in loyalty programs, but keeping them enrolled and engaged after the holidays are over. .

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Omicron threatens retail workforce as Kmart and Target slash trading hours

Inside Retail

With almost 25 per cent of trading days lost due to government mandated store closures, Kmart and Target have reduced trading hours while tackling stock shortages. In an ASX trading announcement on Monday, Wesfarmers mentioned that customer traffic in stores declined due to rising Covid cases in some states, while higher levels of staff shortages due to Covid in New South Wales and Victoria has also impacted the retailer’s ability to deliver stock to stores in demand.

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

Generative AI is reshaping retail, but achieving true AI success isn’t simple. Many brands face hurdles—underdeveloped data strategies, limited AI-ready infrastructure, or lack of seamless integration across systems. As you explore how AI can boost efficiency and transform customer experiences, understanding your business’s readiness is key. Orium's Data & AI Maturity Model offers a clear starting point.

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Mark Cuban opens online pharmacy with a generic focus

Retail Wire

Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drug company launched an online pharmacy on Wednesday with 100 generic drugs covering a wide variety of medical conditions. The company owned by the celebrity billionaire plans to complete construction on its own pharmaceutical factory this year in an effort to deliver prescription drugs at lower costs to consumers.

Planning 130
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6 Essential Online Marketing Tips & Ideas For Growing Your Business In 2022

Retail Focus

Marketing has completely revolutionized since the advent of the pandemic. These days, consumers are changing their tastes and preferences. There are a huge number of consumers who prefer video content hence video marketing is the current trend and forms a very integral part of online marketing. Thus, it is necessary to change the marketing strategies.

Marketing 130
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Vibes Helps Retailers Enable Real-Time Messaging Through Mobile Wallets

Retail TouchPoints

Mobile solution provider Vibes has launched Mobile Wallet as a Channel, a platform designed to help retailers use native mobile wallet apps, Apple Wallet and Google Pay to deliver personalized mobile experiences for marketing and loyalty purposes. The solution builds on Vibes’ existing dynamic mobile offering with the addition of features that add real-time capabilities.

Marketing 278
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Sotheby’s to auction Louis Vuitton and Nike ‘Air Force 1’ sneakers

Inside Retail

Two hundred special edition pairs of Louis Vuitton Nike ‘Air Force 1’ by Virgil Abloh sneakers are set to go to auction on Sotheby’s. The late Virgil Abloh designed the collaboration range for Louis Vuitton’s Spring-Summer Men’s collection this year to mark the kicks brand’s 40th anniversary. Abloh viewed the original sneakers as a cultural symbol of the hip-hop heritage which nurtured his artistic roots growing up.

Fashion 246
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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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How the ‘Little Guy’ Field Teams Can Take on the Giants

Wiser

In a world with Coca-Cola, Nike, Gillette, and other hugely successful brands, it can be tough as one of the little guys—especially in the retail execution space. You’re on the hunt for ways to get your products sold by more retailers, take over more share of the shelf, and build a strong brand reputation among consumers. What can you do when you’re competing against the giants of your industry?

Consumer 147
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NVIDIA GPUs Enable Simulation of a Living Cell

Nvidia

Every living cell contains its own bustling microcosm, with thousands of components responsible for energy production, protein building, gene transcription and more. Scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have built a 3D simulation that replicates these physical and chemical characteristics at a particle scale — creating a fully dynamic model that mimics the behavior of a living cell.

ATS 145
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CVS and Uber Health Partner to Offer Free Medical Transportation in Underserved Areas

Retail TouchPoints

CVS Health is partnering with Uber Health to provide transportation support at no cost for people seeking access to medical care, work or educational programs. The relationship is part of Health Zones, CVS Health’s new initiative that provides concentrated local investments designed to reduce health disparities and advance health equity in high-risk communities across the country.

Location 279
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What global brands need to know about New York’s Fashion Sustainability Act

Inside Retail

A new bill has been introduced in the state of New York that, if it becomes law, would require major global fashion brands to map their supply chains and take steps to reduce their environmental impact. . The Fashion Sustainability and Social Accountability Act (or Fashion Act) would apply to global apparel and footwear retailers and manufacturers with annual revenues of more than US$100 million that do business in New York.

Fashion 208
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Pricing for Profit: How to Set, Negotiate, and Succeed

Speaker: Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader

In today’s competitive market, pricing is more than just a number — it’s the cornerstone of profitability. The right pricing strategy ensures that you capture the true value of your offering, paving the way for sustainable growth and long-term success. Join Igli Laci, Strategic Finance Leader, in this exclusive session where he will explore how a well-crafted pricing approach balances customer perception with business objectives, creating a powerful tool for securing both competitive advantage a