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Everybody has heard about ChatGPT. While this is the most well-known use of artificial intelligence, this technology is quickly spreading in all industries. AI has been growing in importance in various industries due to its ability to process and analyze large amounts of data, make predictions and recommendations, automate repetitive tasks, and improve overall efficiency.
I like the title of this article, but perhaps a more appropriate title might be: Customer Service Is Like Being Married. The buying cycle for a customer typically includes a little research, talking to a salesperson, making the purchase, and whatever happens after the sale. This can include follow-up from the salesperson, dealing with customer service for a problem, or any interaction you have with the company or brand after the sale is made.
With the proliferation of retail media properties, it’s beginning to feel like the digital economy is producing walled gardens faster than baby rabbits. This is actually a healthy development. These walled gardens don’t necessarily carry the baggage of the big original ones, and even when they do, it’s a net positive to the broader marketing ecosystem.
Shopping centres are so much more than a place to purchase a new outfit or a loved one’s birthday gift. In recent years, they’ve become an exciting social hub that serves in strengthening communities and shaping urban areas. Online shopping continues to grow even post-pandemic, meaning it’s never been more important that these complexes continue to differentiate themselves from online retailers, cementing their place in society.
Speaker: Matt Sunshine, CEO at The Center for Sales Strategy
AI isn’t replacing salespeople—it’s empowering them. The most forward-thinking sales organizations are using AI to enhance human performance rather than eliminate it. From coaching and messaging to prospecting and pipeline accountability, artificial intelligence is giving managers and SDRs the new tools they need to work smarter, sell better, and close more.
When it released its first-quarter results recently, Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the US and a global player with projects in the US, Europe and Asia, reiterated its bullishness on the future of the mall sector. Is the crowing justified or is it a smokescreen to disguise an industry in continuing decline? And what is the spillover into Asia ?
The debut of the Walmart+ membership program in September 2020 was a significant departure for the retailer. “We spent 60 years democratizing every asset and every experience — everyone, no matter who you are, gets the same everyday low price and experience,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP and General Manager of Walmart+ at Walmart in a recent webinar. “Membership is a bit of a different variable in that equation.
The debut of the Walmart+ membership program in September 2020 was a significant departure for the retailer. “We spent 60 years democratizing every asset and every experience — everyone, no matter who you are, gets the same everyday low price and experience,” said Chris Cracchiolo, SVP and General Manager of Walmart+ at Walmart in a recent webinar. “Membership is a bit of a different variable in that equation.
Members of Gen Z use TikTok and other social media to share their fashion finds and other details of their lives like professional influencers. “You might have 12 followers and you’re selling swag,” said Vickie Segar, the founder of Village Marketing. “The macro movement of everyone being a creator, and the idea that creators should monetize themselves in every avenue they can, is just trickling down to the everyday person.
Campaign corner Adieu. Corona’s recent commercial shows that relaxation means different things to different people. While Snoop Dogg and Karol G, both musicians, find ultimate relaxation by reclining in beach chairs, gazing at the ocean and savoring cans of Corona Extra, comedian Andy Samberg struggles to fully let go of the idea that there might be something else to explore.
Australian shoppers are increasingly buying and selling second-hand clothing items and want more sustainable, gender-diverse and inclusive brands, according to a new report by Afterpay. The rise of recommerce – the selling of previously owned products – is evident with 67 per cent of respondents saying they had bought or sold second-hand clothing items.
The economic fallout from the pandemic has had a profound impact on the labor market and society. Worker shortages across industries have created a challenging scenario for countless businesses as they rush to fill job vacancies while still ensuring the satisfaction of their existing staff and customers. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the current rate of participation in the labor force is 62.6% , down from 63.3% in February 2020.
The rapid rise of AI-powered displays, touchless technology, and sensory marketing is reshaping the future of in-store engagement. Yet for many retail executives, the real challenge is not identifying new tools - it is knowing which signals to trust, which inputs to prioritize, and how to architect decisions that elevate in-store leadership rather than dilute it.
Workers at the McNally Jackson, Goods for the Study, Greenlight Bookstore and Book Culture Booksellers at Rutgers University voted unanimously to join the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). That follows other votes that have seen RWDSU elected to negotiate for workers at McNally Jackson, Goods for the Study, Greenlight Bookstore and Book Culture.
CDUK, the Leeds-based supplier of solid surface materials and complementary products, including Corian® Solid Surface, PaperStone® and M|R Walls, announces a partnership with surface manufacturer The Good Plastic Company. As part of the new partnership, CDUK grows its surface material portfolio with the addition of Polygood, The Good Plastic Company’s highly sustainable surface material made from 100% recycled and 100% recyclable plastic.
Subscription-based meal kit business My Food Bag Group will delist from the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) after its profits slump. For the year to March 31, sales fell 9.4 per cent to $175.7 million while tax-paid profit declined 60.8 per cent to $7.9 million. The company has increased its investments in Bargain Box – a meal kit delivery service – in response to softening consumer demand while growing its active customer base by 12 per cent.
Meta is testing a promotional ads capability, with the goal of making it easier for shoppers to discover, manage and apply digital promotions to their purchases as well as expanding the number of options for its lead ads product. Meta has found that 85% of shoppers actively seek out promotions and other offers before making a purchase, and the new promotional ads format aims to make it easier to help them find deals while enabling retailers to complete more sales.
Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testified before Congress yesterday and told lawmakers that artificial intelligence technology could “cause significant harm to the world.” Mr. Altman expressed a willingness to work with Congress and federal regulators to address “disinformation” and other risks associated with the technology’s use.
Revo, the premium, high-quality performance sunglass company, announced today the opening of their first flagship store in Barcelona, Spain. The store is located on Baixada de la Llibreteria, in the Gothic Quarter, one of the city’s most charming and highly trafficked districts. The newly completed store will bring a unique and immersive shopping experience to Revo fans and newcomers to see the entire brand under one roof.
Premium home fragrance retailer Dusk Group says an “increasingly cautious consumer environment” has impacted sales growth. In a trading update citing unaudited accounts, the business said it expects sales to be in the range of $135 million – $137 million while pro forma EBIT will be around $16 million – $17 million. Group CEO and MD, Peter King, said the mounting cost of living has impacted the disposable income levels of customers.
Bath & Body Works is focusing on growing its men’s business with the introduction of new skincare and beard care collections. The retailer has already grown its men’s category by 50% over the past three years through product evolution and assortment expansion, and the new offerings aim to help the retailer maintain its momentum in the men’s care space.
AI agents already analyze trends, draft content, and trigger actions across leading commerce platforms. Yet most organizations still rely on workflows built for human‑only teams, losing speed, margin, and customer loyalty. Humans + Agents: Rethinking Enterprise Commerce in the Age of AI Collaboration shows how to close that gap. In one concise read you’ll see where agent gains surface first, how early adopters prove ROI, and which lean controls keep innovation moving without risking data or bran
Apple has restricted its employees’ use of ChatGPT and other outside generative artificial intelligence technology over concerns that confidential information could be leaked accidentally. John Giannandrea, a former Google exec who joined Apple in 2018, leads the tech giant’s AI efforts.
Selfridges launches The Stock Market at the Corner Shop, a month-long circular experience where customers can uncover the value of what they already own, exchange items for Selfridges credit and restore or upcycle clothing and accessories. Drawing inspiration from the towering 360 o desks and the rotundas of data-filled screens found at the London Stock Exchange, The Corner Shop will be transformed into a ‘trading floor’, an immersive hub for buying, selling, repairing and upcycling.
Australian company Munro Footwear Group (MFG) has rescued New Zealand kids’ shoe company Bobux International from receivership. MFG owns and sells brands including Mountfords, Midas, Mollini, Mathers, Williams, Cinori, Ziera, Colorado and Diana Ferrari. It operates more than 290 stores in Australia and employs 2500 staff. In a LinkedIn announcement, Bobux International said MFG has a “shared passion for a customer-centric approach” which aligned well with the brand.
Ebay ’s spending spree is continuing with the acquisition of Certilogo , a provider of digital IDs and authentication tools for apparel and fashion goods. This latest acquisition follows an investment by Ebay Ventures in used sporting goods marketplace SidelineSwap earlier this month and the acquisition of marketplace compliance solution 3PM Shield in February 2023.
When culture isn’t consistently lived out across the organization, engagement suffers—and it often starts with a disconnect at the top. In this session, Beth Sunshine, SVP of Up Your Culture at The Center for Sales Strategy, will reveal how HR and executive leaders can close the gap between vision and execution by equipping frontline and mid-level managers to become culture carriers.
Government reports and retailer earnings all point to Americans becoming more frugal in the face of high prices and interest rates. “A consumer slowdown is underway,” said Neil Saunders, managing director at GlobalData.
For some, implementing a new pricing strategy can feel like a real shot in the dark. Set your prices too low and you’ll miss out on profit. Too high, and you’ll lose sales to your competitors. It’s not as simple as copying the competition’s prices, and there is no easy, one-size-fits-all solution. Luckily, you don’t actually have to continue flying blind.
Ikea Australia is trialling making customer deliveries in metro areas by two electric tuk-tuks as it looks for ways to reach zero emissions company-wide. The two electric tuk-tuks, both powered by 9kWh swappable batteries, will deliver parcels within a 10km radius of Ikea Tempe until August 16. Tiffany Mosura-Lesnock, manager for Ikea Tempe, said electric vehicles are “shaping the future of delivery” around the globe.
The bankruptcy of David’s Bridal in April — its second in five years — signaled more than just the potential demise of another ailing retailer, but a larger shift in the U.S. bridal industry. After being significantly disrupted by COVID, an underlying transition that was already beginning to surface pre-pandemic is continuing: couples are marrying later , throwing smaller weddings and shopping for those weddings (including for the dress) online.
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.
Amazon.com has completed 100 drone deliveries in two small markets in California and Texas, well below its goal of 10,000 by the end of the year, as consumer adoption appears to be lagging. “I would love to see the drones flying around. I can’t wait,” said Ken Thomas, who co-owns a Lockwood, CA, deli.
A Missouri plaintiff said that 90% of the products Nike advertises as using recycled materials don’t, and that some of the recycled materials themselves are environmentally harmful.
Activewear brand Stylerunner’s GM Ryan Edelmuth has stepped back from the business to lead high chair startup, Catchy. Founded in 2012, Stylerunner is a multi-brand retailer that sells luxe and premium activewear from global and emerging brands and is owned by the Accent Group. In a LinkedIn post, Edelmuth described his time with Stylerunner as a “career highlight” and added: “After an incredible nine years at Accent Group, last week was my final week.” He said the highlight of his time wi
Zeropark offers commerce media solutions, targeted at retail brands and agencies looking to drive incremental performance and efficient sales with sustainable, cookieless and 100% brand-safe advertising. The solution provider aims to streamline high-intent consumers toward promoted brands by creating shoppable opportunities during the key moments of their buying journey.
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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