Sat.Apr 06, 2024 - Fri.Apr 12, 2024

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Retailers Get Real with AI: Four AI-Powered Apps We’ll See this Year

Retail TouchPoints

We are past the point of conjecture about whether AI will upend the retail industry; it already has. In a recent study sponsored by Nvidia, 69% of retailers that used AI in 2023 reported that it increased revenues, and 72% said it reduced operating costs. With these kinds of results, it is no wonder 81% of retail leaders feel an urgent need to deploy AI this year, according to a Google report.

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This Customer Could Ruin Your Business

Hyken

What if I told you that a satisfied customer could ruin your business? Most people think satisfied customers are happy and will come back. At least, it appears that way. Many years ago, I used to begin my customer service keynote speeches with a question: By a show of hands, how many of you believe it’s important to satisfy your customers? As you might imagine, just about everyone raised their hand.

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Innovating or just keeping up? Here’s why retailers struggle to change

Inside Retail

How many psychologists does it take to change a light bulb? One, but the light bulb has to want to change. And so it goes with organisations and the executives who lead them. Of course, pretty much everybody says they want to change. In fact, every organisation I have ever worked with on their innovation and growth strategy, and virtually every senior leader I have ever advised, didn’t just say they want to change – they insist they have no choice.

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Retail is back as rents settle. Maya Capital closes Fulham Road retail investment

Retail Focus

Maya Capital LLP , a pan European investment firm, announces that it has completed the purchase of 24,228 sq ft of retail and showroom accommodation in London, on 137-167 Fulham Road. Fulham Road is located in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and is considered one of the wealthiest areas in the world hosting a range of Luxury tenants including Chanel, Acne and Carolina Herrera.

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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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Data: Retailer insolvencies hits five-year high as inflationary pressures worsen

Retail Gazette

The number of retailers buckling under economic pressure has hit a five year high as consumers remain cautious amid the cost-of-living crisis. Insolvencies in the sector are up 19% to 2,195 in the year to January 31, up from 1,843, according to figures from Mazars. The accountancy firm reported that ecommerce insolvencies had surged 18% to 615, up from 521 reported in the previous year.

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How retailers can leverage the power of Gen AI to enhance the customer buying experience

Retail Customer Experience

Expect more retailers to accelerate investments in generative artificial intelligence and use the technology to strengthen customer relationships and more effectively and efficiently manage their businesses.

More Trending

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How Integrated POS Tech is Helping Electronics Retailers

I Vend

In today’s modern retail stores, the point of sale no longer has to be a fixed counter – it could be anywhere in the store. Mobile POS is one of the fastest growing retail trends – with store associates being armed with devices that run the same cloud-based POS software as the fixed checkouts, enabling payment, inventory management and loyalty anywhere in the store.

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Majority of Australian brands struggle with connecting customer data

Inside Retail

More than half of Australian brands say that connecting customer data across channels, sources and platforms remains their biggest challenge. According to a survey by Twilio, 51 per cent of brands admitted they struggle, while 46 per cent said they are having difficulty turning data into customer insights. Twilio’s research showed that 86 per cent of businesses claim they provide ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ customer engagement but only 54 per cent of consumers agree.

Consumer 283
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Optimising Retail Operations with Efficient Payment Processing Solutions

Retail Focus

In the fast-paced world of retail, efficiency is key to staying competitive and profitable. One area where efficiency can make a significant impact is in payment processing. With the rise of digital payments and fast-changing retail payment trends, merchants should adopt feature-rich payment solutions to streamline operations and enhance customer satisfaction.

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Best Buy Adds Generative AI to its Customer Service Toolkit

Retail TouchPoints

Best Buy is expanding its partnership with Google Cloud to leverage generative AI technology for new customer service tools. The retailer also is working with Google Cloud and Accenture to develop new AI-powered tools for its frontline associates. As early as late summer, Best Buy customers in the U.S. will be able to connect with a gen AI-powered virtual assistant for help with tasks like troubleshooting product issues , rescheduling or combining order deliveries , managing software , Geek Squa

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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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Intel Reveals Layoffs in Sales and Marketing

Retail Wire

Intel underwent another wave of layoffs recently, focusing on trimming down its sales and marketing department.

Marketing 277
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Aldi tops customer satisfaction rankings for fourth year in a row

Inside Retail

Aldi bagged the Supermarket of the Year 2023 title from the Roy Morgan’s Customer Satisfaction Awards – for the seventh time and the fourth consecutive year. The supermarket chain boasted an average 95.7 per cent customer satisfaction score. “This the fourth consecutive year that we’ve received the award, and at a time when shoppers are continuously seeking better value, we have never been more aware of the need to continue to deliver on our promise to offer Aussies the highest quali

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2024 VM and Display Awards Celebrate Excellence in Retail

Retail Focus

On the 12th of March, the Leonardo Royal St Paul’s in London was the epicentre of celebration for the Retail Visual Merchandising and Display industry. The prestigious VM and Display Awards, now in its 29th year, continued its tradition of excellence, drawing a sell-out crowd eager to celebrate the industry’s finest achievements. As we edge closer to the landmark 30th anniversary next year, this event highlighted the innovation and creativity that have been the hallmark of visual merchandi

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Best Buy, Microsoft Celebrate Earth Month by Turning ‘E-Waste’ into Couture

Retail TouchPoints

Best Buy , one of the largest retail collectors of e-waste in the U.S., is partnering with Microsoft on a new activation designed to inspire consumers to recycle their unwanted laptops and tablets. During Earth Month in April, customers can bring in any eligible laptop or tablet to a Best Buy store for recycling and save $50 on a Surface device. These recycled devices will then be used for an innovative contest powered by Junk Kouture , a youth-focused sustainable fashion competition.

Fashion 289
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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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Rolex’s 2024 Watches Return to Classic Luxury

Retail Wire

Rolex took a step back at the 2024 Watches and Wonders trade show in Geneva. After the frenzy of "hype watches" in 2023, its new releases signal a return to normalcy in the luxury watch market.

Returns 264
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Woolworths, four overseas peers to launch US$125 million venture capital fund

Inside Retail

Woolworths – together with four overseas retailers – is to launch a US$125 million (A$190 million) venture capital fund called W23 Global that over five years will invest in retail industry-related start-ups and scale-ups. The other retail investors are the UK’s Tesco, Dutch-Belgian multinational Ahold Delhaize, Canada’s Empire Company, and South Africa’s Shoprite.

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SEPHORA is coming to Newcastle in the Autumn of 2024 with two new stores

Retail Focus

This Autumn, Sephora is continuing its northern expansion in full force with the opening of not one, but TWO new stores in Newcastle. With the recent announcement of Manchester opening earlier this year, Sephora has listened again to the overwhelming demand from their engaged community, making Newcastle the next North East location for Sephora UK. The city’s key retail destinations Eldon Square and the MetroCentre will be the new homes of Sephora UK, bringing in a massive influx of beauty obsess

Shopping 147
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Inside Westfield Century City’s Infrastructure Supporting Experiential Retail

Retail TouchPoints

Now embarking on its 60 th year in business, Westfield Century City has become a beloved Los Angeles institution — one that has evolved alongside its broad demographic of Angelenos. It is this broad demographic, and its fast-evolving behaviors and expectations, that has inspired the team to invest more thoughtfully into events, experiential retail and activations that people love.

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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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Roku Hit by Cyberattack: Over Half a Million Accounts Breached

Retail Wire

Roku disclosed that approximately 576,000 user accounts were compromised in a recent cyberattack, marking the second security breach this year.

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Nike embarks on a multi-year innovation cycle 

Inside Retail

Sportswear giant Nike is launching a multi-year innovation program by launching a new line-up of products. According to the company, the cycle will include digital capabilities and technology, aiming to provide “better, faster, more efficient solutions for athletes”, as well as offer more creative possibilities – including Nike’s first sculpted, visible Air Zoom unit in the new Pegasus Premium running shoe.

Returns 264
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Tesco profits more than double as it sees easing price pressures

Retail Gazette

Tesco said price pressures on supermarkets continue to ease as it reported its profits had more than doubled over the past year. Chief executive Ken Murphy said inflationary pressures had “lessened substantially” but noted that “things are still difficult for many customers”. He said the supermarket had “worked hard” to reduce prices, including “doubling down” on its Aldi Price Match offer and Clubcard Prices promotion, which is available on around 8,000 products each week.

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From Custom Worlds to Contextual Ads: Unlocking the Power of Games Advertising

Retail TouchPoints

Advertisers already have a healthy appetite for games advertising: IAB’s latest study on games advertising found that 40% of advertisers plan to boost spending in this area over the coming year, making it the third-most popular channel for increased investment, after social media ( 47% ) and digital video ( 40% ). But despite these high levels of interest, only a few brands and retailers have fully tapped into the potential of this channel.

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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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New Starbucks Drinkware Collection for Mother’s Day

Retail Wire

Just ahead of Mother’s Day, Starbucks is rolling out a new assortment of drinkware, catering to various tastes with prism and floral designs.

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From sprinters to sneakers: How Puma aims to tap into ‘halo effect’ of Olympians

Inside Retail

German sportswear brand Puma is using this year’s Olympic Games and its partnership with sprint champions Jamaica to focus on speed as it jostles with Adidas and Nike to carve out space in an increasingly competitive running and lifestyle market. Puma CEO Arne Freundt aims to boost sales of “performance” products like running shoes and soccer cleats, and has revamped Puma’s “Forever Faster” message in its first brand campaign in a decade on Wednesday in Paris,

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Nike remains a top brand for teens, but shows signs of wavering interest: survey

Retail Dive

The brand is still leading the way in footwear and clothing, but is beginning to lose share to On and Hoka.

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Home Depot ‘Retool Your School’ Program Awards Nearly $3 Million to 42 HBCUs

Retail TouchPoints

For the 15th year, The Home Depot has awarded grants for campus improvements to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as part of its Retool Your School program. This year’s nearly $3 million donation will be divided among 42 HBCUs, with Albany State University, South Carolina State University and Paine College each receiving $150,000 as the top vote-getters in their respective categories (based on the size of their student populations).

Marketing 264
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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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Car Insurance Costs Are Rapidly Rising and Causing Higher Inflation

Retail Wire

Surging car insurance rates contributed to the acceleration of inflation rates in March, adding to the financial burden on vehicle owners in the U.S.

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How automation can help retailers reduce back-office costs and grow

Inside Retail

Retail margins are under pressure from the continued cost-of-living crisis and subsequent decline in discretionary spending, driving many businesses to look for ways to reduce their costs. But while labour and marketing budgets are typically the first to be put on the chopping block, retailers may be overlooking opportunities to reduce costs in the back end by automating everyday finance functions, such as accounts payable and accounts receivable.

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Hospitality Suites and Corporate Entertainment at Sporting Venues

Retail Focus

In the world of business, forging strong connections and creating memorable experiences are paramount. Corporate hospitality suites at sporting venues offer a unique and dynamic platform for companies to elevate their entertainment game, fostering valuable relationships while indulging in the thrill and excitement of live sports. These exclusive spaces provide a luxurious and immersive setting, where business leaders, clients, and key stakeholders can come together to celebrate shared passions,

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Shopify Helps Hawaiian Brands Say ‘Aloha’ to NYC

Retail TouchPoints

Shopify is partnering with Mana Up , an accelerator and venture fund for Hawaii-based products, on an immersive market concept designed to spotlight emerging brands from “the Aloha state.” Aloha Market will run April 26 to 28, 2024, at Shopify’s NYC activation space in SoHo, and will feature unique products from more than 40 Hawaii creators and entrepreneurs.

Marketing 264
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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!