Sat.Aug 17, 2024 - Fri.Aug 23, 2024

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Step-by-Step Guide To Launching A Known Retail Brand Partnership

Retail Focus

Partnering with a well-known retail brand can open a wide range of doors in your niche and adjacent ones. You’ll tap into their existing market presence and enhance your business credibility. But it’s not all rainbows and unicorns – successful partnerships require a clear roadmap, from initial discussions to execution. Additionally, you need a firm grasp of legal aspects, contracts, licenses, and agreements.

Finance 130
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Ikea Drones Will Employ AI to Work in Tandem with Fulfillment Employees

Retail TouchPoints

Ikea has embarked on the latest phase of drone adoption by rolling out an upgraded AI-powered system that will allow the drones to work efficiently alongside human workers in distribution centers. By integrating this new system into fulfillment spaces, Ikea’s operations will “run continuously,” the company shared in an announcement. Ikea initially adopted drone technology in 2021 when it partnered with AI and robotics company Verity to develop an autonomous drone solution for warehouses.

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Coca-Cola and OREO Team Up in a Limited-Edition ‘Besties’ Flavor

Retail Wire

Both a soft drink and cookie will combine the tastes of Coca-Cola and OREO's iconic flavors for a limited time.

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Domino’s Pizza Enterprises books lower net profit

Inside Retail

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises saw net profit decline despite higher sales during the past fiscal year. The company’s net profit fell 1.9 per cent to $120.4 million while network sales grew 4.6 per cent to $4.19 billion and online sales rose 7.5 per cent to $3.37 billion. Same-store sales growth stood at 1.5 per cent, while network store count rose 0.3 per cent to 3795.

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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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Waitrose to open 100 new convenience stores in £1bn expansion

Retail Gazette

Waitrose is set to open 100 convenience stores over the next five years as part of a £1bn-plus investment in new outlets and shop refurbishments. The premium grocer is planning to open a revamped outlet in Finchley Road, north London today (21 August). This will launch a new phase of expansion with its first new store in six years, set to open in Hampton Hill, west London by the end of the year, The Guardian reported.

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When it Comes to Retail Cybersecurity, Do Take It Personally

Retail TouchPoints

The 2024 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report notes that there were 725 known data breach incidents in the retail sector for the year ending in late October 2023. An estimated 369 of those resulted in confirmed data disclosure. From ‘credential stuffing’ to phishing to exploitation of vulnerabilities, cybercriminals have many options to violate consumer data privacy, disrupt store and warehousing operations and execute denial of service.

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Scentre Group’s funds from operations up on more Westfield customer visits

Inside Retail

Scentre Group’s fund from operations stood at $568.2 million in the first six months, up 2.1 per cent from the year-ago period. The Westfield shopping centre owner and operator’s net operating income grew 3.5 per cent to $1.01 billion while the group’s portfolio was valued at $34.3 billion. The group operates 42 Westfield destinations across Australia and New Zealand, which hosted 320 million customer visits, an increase of 1.9 per cent.

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30-day free trials increase conversions by 273%, yet 3 in 4 e-commerce sellers didn’t use the strategy in 2023

Retail Focus

New data shows 30-day free trials are the most effective method of paid customer conversions – almost four times (273%) more likely to convert a customer than 14-day free trials. Findings also show free trials are 28 times more effective than free products. However, despite its effectiveness, and at no cost to the business, nearly 3 in 4 ecommerce sellers didn’t use the approach in 2023.

ATS 147
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The Retail Landscape Continues to Evolve — Data Departments Need to Keep Pace

Retail TouchPoints

The fate of retail performance for the second half of 2024 is anything but certain. Despite expectations that inflation, subsequent rate hikes and the lingering effects of the pandemic would negatively impact spending, consumption rates have remained surprisingly high. This counterintuitive trend has sparked debate among economists, analysts and retail executives about the sustainability of current spending patterns.

Consumer 306
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Former Wendy’s CEO Takes Papa Johns Helm Amidst Slumping Q2 Sales

Retail Wire

The new Papa John's CEO turned Wendy's proverbial ship around.

Shipping 290
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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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Accent Group’s net profit plunges 32.9 per cent

Inside Retail

Footwear retailer Accent Group ‘s net profit plunged amid higher sales in the last fiscal year. The company saw net profit dip 32.9 per cent to $59.5 million despite sales increasing 2.7 per cent to $1.61 billion. However, like-for-like retail sales fell to 1.7 per cent. Accent Group ended the fiscal year with 895 stores including websites after opening 93 new stores and closing 19, where the company could not achieve return on investment.

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From Seoul to Birmingham: PURESEOUL selects Hammerson’s Bullring to kick off Midlands expansion

Retail Focus

Hammerson has announced that PURESEOUL, the UK’s premier K-Beauty store, is to open at Bullring & Grand Central, marking the brand’s Midlands debut and only its second store outside London. Set to launch in September, this significant signing underscores Hammerson’s strategy to broaden the use and purpose of its destinations through innovative brands, market first concepts and cultural partnerships.

Location 147
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Bulletin Debuts Shopify Integration to Simplify Wholesale Deals

Retail TouchPoints

Online wholesale marketplace Bulletin has launched a Shopify sales channel app, enabling merchants to more easily integrate their product listings and better manage orders to grow their brands via wholesale partnerships. [Editor’s note: Both Bulletin and Retail TouchPoints are subsidiaries of live event and media company Emerald.] Through the new integration, merchants can now bulk import their product listings from Shopify to Bulletin, and any updates made in Shopify will be automatically synce

Wholesale 289
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Popeyes Combats ‘Sunday Scaries’ With Free Chicken Sandwiches

Retail Wire

Popeyes has entered the fast-food wars with its latest promotion.

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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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7-Eleven parent to review takeover bid from Canada’s Couche-Tard

Inside Retail

Seven & I Holdings, owner of convenience store chain 7-Eleven, has received a preliminary takeover offer from Canadian convenience store giant Alimentation Couche-Tard, parent of Circle K. The Japanese company has formed a special committee to review the proposal. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters that the talks are “at a very early stage”.

Location 290
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How to Keep Your High Street Business Safe

Retail Focus

In the wake of recent disorder across the UK, some high-street retailers and businesses are grappling with unprecedented fear and uncertainty about the safety of their premises, staff and customers. In any high-street retail context, though, there is an argument to be made that this risk always exists. However, when the current climate suggests that there could be trouble afoot at any moment, hardworking business owners are left with no choice but to rethink and enhance their security processes

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YouTube Expands Shopify Partnership to Amp Up Creators’ Affiliate Efforts

Retail TouchPoints

In 2023, people watched over 30 billion hours of shopping related videos on YouTube , according to the company. Now the video platform is looking to extend its reach into the world of commerce even further through an expansion of its partnership with Shopify. Eligible Shopify Plus and Shopify Advanced merchants in the U.S. can now easily sign up for YouTube Shopping’s affiliate program through the “Google & YouTube” app on Shopify, enabling thousands of eligible creators to showcase those me

Shopping 289
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Chick-fil-A Opens First-Ever Elevated Drive-Thru Restaurant Near Atlanta

Retail Wire

Chick-fil-A is set to launch its first elevated drive-thru restaurant on Aug. 22 in McDonough, Georgia, south of metro Atlanta.

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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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Booktopia sold to DigiDirect’s owner who plans to hire more staff

Inside Retail

Booktopia ‘s administrators have completed the sale of the book retailer’s business and assets to DigiDirect’s owner Shant Kradjian. The deal includes the Angus & Robertson and Co-Op Bookshop brands and around $14 million in inventory. Kradjian said in a statement that DigiDirect and Booktopia will continue to operate as separate entities, however he sees “significant opportunities” to revitalise the business and introduce systems and processes, calling on his e

Planning 284
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Metrocentre plans £6 million investment into redevelopment of Green Mall entrance

Retail Focus

The Metrocentre Partnership has announced the submission of a planning application for the redevelopment of Metrocentre’s Green Mall entrance. The proposed scheme would represent significant investment to create new anchor units, enhance the public realm and landscaping, and revitalise one of the main gateways into the shopping centre. Designed by Leslie Jones Architecture, the proposals would bring a variety of welcoming and sustainable elements to the Green Mall entrance, such as enhanced biod

Planning 147
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Redefining Retail: Embracing Alonement in Design to Enhance Individual Shopping Experiences

Retail TouchPoints

Consumers are changing how they shop and who they shop with, and now brands are taking notice. Traditionally, retail spaces have been associated with social interaction and shared experiences, serving as bustling hubs for family outings and social gatherings among friends. However, the rise of digital technology (where a customer can purchase something easily and quickly on their own), coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has shifted consumer expectations and needs, sparking a great

Shopping 279
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Kroger Files Lawsuit To Halt an Internal FTC Review of Albertsons Merger

Retail Wire

The FTC is challenging the proposed Kroger/Albertsons merger and wants to take a closer look.

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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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Universal Store’s net profit surges 45.3 per cent

Inside Retail

Universal Store Holdings saw its net profit surge 45.3 per cent to $34.3 million in the last fiscal year, thanks to group sales rising 9.7 per cent to $288.5 million. The company attributed the increase to the continued growth of its Universal Store segment with second-half like-for-like sales rebounding to 6.6 per cent, ongoing rollout of the Perfect Stranger’s retail format, completion and contributions of the Cheap Thrills Cycles (CTC), and the net store count increasing to 102.

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Einstein for Anypoint Code Builder: AI-Powered MuleSoft Development Is Here

Mulesoft

Artificial intelligence has already begun transforming the technology landscape, making its way into nearly every tool and platform that businesses rely on. From automating mundane tasks to providing intelligent insights, AI has become an integral part of how we work and innovate. At MuleSoft, we recognize the immense potential of AI and are actively investing […] The post Einstein for Anypoint Code Builder: AI-Powered MuleSoft Development Is Here first appeared on MuleSoft Blog.

ATS 142
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Uniqlo Sister Brand GU Plans September U.S. Debut

Retail TouchPoints

GU (pronounced “gee-you”), a sister brand of apparel retailer Uniqlo , will make a splashy, multi-channel entrance into the U.S. next month with the simultaneous debut of its ecommerce site and a 10,225-square-foot NYC flagship. The two -story location in the trendy SoHo neighborhood will offer men’s and women’s clothing as well as shoes, bags and accessories.

Planning 278
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Taco Bell Tested ‘Nostalgia’ Menu Featuring Items From the 1960s and Beyond

Retail Wire

Taco Bell is bringing back favorites like the Tostada and the Meximelt.

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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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Step One’s net profit surges 43.9 per cent

Inside Retail

Step One Clothing ‘s net profit surged in the last fiscal year, thanks to higher revenue across all its geographies and channels. The underwear retailer’s net profit soared 43.9 per cent to $12.4 million as revenue jumped 29.7 per cent to $84.5 million. During the financial year, the company focused on launching the SmoothFit women’s line to expand its women’s offerings.

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Amazon allowing sellers to ditch physical returns

Retail Dive

The offering for Fulfillment by Amazon users helps them avoid fees by simply having customers keep items, the company said.

Returns 136
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What Walmart’s Bettergoods Means for the Value Wars

Retail TouchPoints

Rising costs created unprecedented challenges for grocers as dollar stores made their moves into the grocery space. A recent lapsed/lost analysis from InMarket found that grocery was the most susceptible category for losing customers to dollar stores for a national mass merchant. The “Value Wars” competition has forced both sides to adapt in order to attract and retain customers across all income levels, with dollar store chains launching higher ticket items and leaders like Walmart and Target d

Grocer 277
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Macy’s Earns a Profit in Q2 2024 Despite Decline in Net Sales

Retail Wire

Macy's announced a second-quarter profit of $150 million, which is substantially better than the same quarter last year.

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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!