January, 2025

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Day two at NRF: Pattern Beauty, Tommy Hilfiger and the power of storytelling

Inside Retail

If you don’t have your narrative set, someone else will tell your story, said Katie Welch, the chief marketing officer of Rare Beauty. That was one of the key messages delivered on the second day of Retails Big Show, the National Retail Federations (NRF) annual conference and expo, which is being held in New York City this week. Major players in the retail industry like Tracee Ellis Ross, the founder and co-CEO of Pattern Beauty; Tommy Hilfiger, founder of the iconic eponymous apparel bran

ATS 286
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Barnes & Noble Plans to Open 60 New Stores in 2025

Retail TouchPoints

Barnes & Noble will open approximately 60 stores this year, according to reporting in the Financial Times (FT). The retailer, owned by Elliott Investment Management along with the UK bookseller Waterstones , opened 57 stores in the U.S. and 12 in the UK last year. The retailer currently operates 650 stores. Waterstones Managing Director James Daunt, who also leads Barnes & Noble, told FT that last year represented a really significant expansion, and that the company plans to do that or m

Planning 332
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Tesla Sales Fall for the First Time in Over a Decade as Cybertrucks Are ‘Piling Up on Used Car Lots’

Retail Wire

Tesla saw deliveries fall for the first time in over a decade.

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What’s in store for retail in 2025?

Retail Focus

Its that time of year again when we can sit down, pour ourselves a little (or indeed large) glass of something, and reminisce about the year that was. It is fair to say that retail has had its ups and down in 2024, with plenty of challenges accompanying the good times. While certain trends that were apparent this year may not be as key in 2025, others will continue into the next year and beyond, playing a major role in shaping customer demand.

Consumer 162
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5 Ways You Can Win Faster with Gen AI in Sales

Incorporating generative AI (gen AI) into your sales process can speed up your wins through improved efficiency, personalized customer interactions, and better informed decision- making. Gen AI is a game changer for busy salespeople and can reduce time-consuming tasks, such as customer research, note-taking, and writing emails, and provide insightful data analysis and recommendations.

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Protecting AI so AI Can Improve the World, Safely

Cisco Retail

You need to move fast with AI, but you absolutely cannot afford to sacrifice safety and security for speed. Announcing Cisco AI Defensea solution designed to eliminate this tradeoff and empower you to innovate fearlessly.

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Frasers Group confirms two-thirds of retail workers remain on zero-hours contracts

Retail Gazette

Frasers Group has confirmed that two-thirds of its retail staff remain on zero-hours contracts ahead of new legislation aimed to limit their use. The retail giant, which was recently booted from the FTSE 100, told MPs examining the proposals to improve protection for workers that 11,500 staff members remained on the contracts and were not given any compensation even if shifts were changed at the last minute.

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Tracee Ellis Ross on Innovation, Team Building and Why ‘Challenge’ Marketing is Broken

Retail TouchPoints

Actress Tracee Ellis Ross started building her vision for Pattern Beauty while starring on the sitcom Girlfriends , but it was her lifelong experience as a curly girly (a woman with curled and coiled hair) that inspired the idea and was validated by generations of women with similar experiences. I wanted to actually create products that supported hair the way it grew out of its head not to straighten it or anything, Ross said during a conversation with Business of Fashion s Sheena Butler-Young

Marketing 240
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Krispy Kreme Drops 9 ‘More Faves to Crave’ Flavors

Retail Wire

Krispy Kreme continues to surprise its customers with limited-release treats.

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“I Matter Too” campaign launches urging retailers to prioritise accessibility ahead of the European Accessibility Act

Retail Focus

As the June 2025 deadline for the European Accessibility Act approaches, Nexer Digital has launched a new campaign, I Matter Too , to raise awareness about the importance of inclusive online experiences. The campaign aims to encourage online retailers to act now and embrace digital accessibility as a core part of their strategy, not just to meet legal requirements but to go beyond compliance and deliver true inclusivity.

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Joann closes smattering of locations across US

Retail Dive

The stores are being shuttered as part of “routine store location evaluation and optimization,” according to a company spokesperson.

Location 138
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The Evolving Retailers Fulfillment Strategy: Meeting Demands with Agility

Speaker: Becky Parisotto and John Vurdelja

Fulfillment is no longer just about getting products from point A to point B – it's about crafting seamless, scalable, customer first experiences. Flexible fulfillment strategies are more important than ever for those aiming to stay ahead and build resilience as retail enters a new era in 2025. Learn how to optimize fulfillment processes, tackle complex, multi-vendor orders, and create seamless customer experiences – from white-glove delivery for high-value items to quick-ship solutions for ever

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Asda confirms lay-offs in cost-cutting drive after worst Christmas in years

Retail Gazette

Asda chairman Allan Leighton has launched his first set of cost-cutting at the grocer, following its disastrous Christmas period. The beleaguered supermarket cut roles for 13 regional managers last week under a shake-up designed to reduce headcount and improve performance, The Telegraph reported. The cost-cutting measures come after Asda delivered its worst Christmas since 2015, with sales falling 5.8% during the 12 weeks to 29 December, according to data from Kantar.

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Dreamfarm’s Alex Gransbury on the price of patents and Kmart’s Anko juicer

Inside Retail

Last week, a new addition to Kmarts product range made Alex Gransbury rethink his approach to patenting. He was on a call with one of his Dreamfarm employees when he first heard that one of his inventions had been copied and pasted. For Gransbury, who has invented products in a MacGyver-like fashion for over 22 years, designing new products that are fit-for-purpose and exceed customer expectations.

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AI Successes from L’Oréal, Lowe’s and Walmart Bring Context to the AI Conversation

Retail TouchPoints

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a headline topic at the National Retail Federations annual Big Show , and NVIDIA is undoubtedly one of the companies leading the industrys innovation in this sector. Typically known for its Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), which power breakthrough technologies for companies like Meta and Open AI , NVIDIA is now staking a claim in the retail industry by powering solutions for companies ranging from LOral to Lowes and Walmart.

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AI Chatbots Spark Online Shopping During 2024 Holiday Season

Retail Wire

The 2024 holiday shopping season broke sales records thanks to AI.

Shopping 278
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Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Unlock agility, boost performance, and gain control over your Salesforce frontend with the latest masterclass from Composable.com : Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud Featuring experts from Algolia, Ember, Netlify, and Stripe, this masterclass focuses on practical strategies for optimizing your Salesforce Commerce Cloud storefronts using modern composable commerce integrations.

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Aldi to invest over £40m in Scotland over the next two years

Retail Focus

Aldi is set to continue its expansion in Scotland, confirming today it plans to invest more than 40m over the next two years, opening three new stores in Arbroath, Baillieston and Kirkintilloch in 2025. The investment supports the retailers growth ambitions north of the border and will allow it to keep up with growing consumer demand. In 2024, Aldi celebrated 30 years in Scotland, having opened its first store in Kilmarnock in 1994.

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Over a third of consumers took on debt this holiday season

Retail Dive

By generation, millennials took on the most, while baby boomers took on the least, according to a recent LendingTree survey.

Consumer 137
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Home Bargains owner pays himself £1bn as profits surge

Retail Gazette

Home Bargains billionaire owner has paid himself more than 1bn as the discount chains sales topped 4.2bn. Tom Morris, who owns 98% of TJ Morris, the firm behind the retailer, received the majority of the 1.22bn in dividends and asset distributions last year, CityAM reported. The payout came as pre-tax profits for Home Bargains surged 35% to 454.8m in the year to 30 June, up from 336.5m.

Location 126
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How Mitre 10 personalised its e-commerce site for every store in its network

Inside Retail

As head of digital at Metcash’s Independent Hardware Group (IHG), the $2.1 billion business behind Mitre 10 and Home Hardware, Anna Kismet is a firm believer in using technology to solve unique business problems. One problem she has been working on since joining IHG in 2022 is how to manage the backend systems and processes for a business, Mitre 10, with over 500 stores that are all individually owned and operated. “From a technology point of view, you have multiple point-of-sale sys

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Website Security Essentials: Protect Your Site and Strengthen Cybersecurity

In a digital-first world, website security is non-negotiable. This comprehensive guide explores the critical importance of securing your site against hackers and vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and malware. Discover tools like SiteLock for threat monitoring and CodeGuard for seamless backups, ensuring robust protection for your data and operations.

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Amazon Launches Advertising Service for Retailer Apps, Websites

Retail TouchPoints

Amazon has unveiled a new offering, the Retail Ad Service , which will allow any retailer to easily offer advertising on their digital platforms using the same technology that powers ads on Amazon.com. The service, which is built on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud infrastructure, enables online retailers to show product ads on their search, browse and product pages.

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In-N-Out Burger Announces First Official Portland, Oregon, Location

Retail Wire

In-N-Out Burger is now moving to the Pacific Northwest.

Location 246
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Zara opens significantly upsized Liverpool ONE flagship, 
rounding off year of landmark signings

Retail Focus

Liverpool ONE has announced that Inditex-owned fashion brand, Zara , has opened its significantly upsized flagship on upper and lower South John Street. The new 42,000 sq ft store is the latest example of brand investment in the destination, following a landmark year of signings that will make 2025 Liverpool ONEs biggest year for openings since it launched in 2008.

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How to Create Unforgettable Customer Experiences with Ronn Nicolli

Hyken

This episode of Amazing Business Radio with Shep Hyken answers the following questions and more: What is hospitality mentality? What role does storytelling play in creating memorable customer experiences? Why is meeting or exceeding customer expectations important in the hospitality industry? How do personal interactions complement technology in creating a seamless customer service experience?

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

Speaker: Duke Heninger, Partner and Fractional CFO at Ampleo & Creator of CFO System

Are you ready to elevate your accounting processes for 2025? 🚀 Join us for an exclusive webinar led by Duke Heninger, 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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B&Q acquires 5 Homebase UK stores

Retail Gazette

B&Q is set to acquire five Homebase stores in the UK for 2.5m following the chain’s collapse last year. The stores in Altrincham, Basingstoke, Biggleswade, Leamington Spa and Worcester will join the DIY giant’s portfolio, and store staff will be transferred across. B&Q said the deal will add a combined 25,000 sqm to its store estate and aims to begin converting the spaces to its banner in the Spring.

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Myer’s sales decline despite higher online sales

Inside Retail

Myer’s sales declined in the 22 weeks ended December 28 amid challenging trading conditions. The department store chain booked sales of $1.59 billion, down 0.8 per cent, impacted by the temporary closure of the Werribee store from February 14 to November 29. Its online store sales rose 2.8 per cent and accounted for 22 per cent of the group’s sales.

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Ulta Taps Instacart for Same-Day Delivery

Retail TouchPoints

Ulta Beauty has teamed up with Instacart to offer same-day delivery from its more than 1,400 stores acrossthe U.S. in as fast as one hour. Instacart customers can now shop a wide selection of skin care, hair care, cosmetics, fragrances and wellness products from Ulta. The partnership also integrates Ulta Beauty Rewards into the Instacart app , allowing members to earn points on every Ulta Beauty purchase made via Instacart by linking their accounts through Ulta Beauty’s storefront.

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Chicken Broth Recall: Walmart Recalls Over 12,000 Cartons Over Compromised Packaging

Retail Wire

The chicken broth recall is one of the largest in Walmart history.

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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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M-Cube launches M-Lab, its exclusive music catalogue to spearhead emotive retail experiences

Retail Focus

M-Cube , the in-store digital solutions provider, has today unveiled M-Lab, its music catalogue powered by AI dedicated to the retail industry. The catalogue supports retailers in creating and innovating musical journeys in-store. As stores battle to stand out and differentiate themselves from competitors, retailers are rightly focused on building an emotional connection with their customers.

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Cisco AI Defense: Comprehensive Security for Enterprise AI Adoption

Cisco Retail

Cisco AI Defense is a single, end-to-end solution that helps your organization understand and mitigate risk on both the user and application levels.

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Majestic Wine hails ‘best-ever Christmas’ with record sales

Retail Gazette

Majestic Wine has reported its best-ever Christmas as it served a record number of shoppers over the key festive period. The wine specialist saw sales rise 1.9% over the six weeks to 30 December, beating its previous record for festive sales set in 2023. It said its performance was boosted by the launch of seven new stores last year and the rise of its growing specialist on-trade supply arm, Majestic Commercial.

Marketing 111
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Woolworths and Coles drew consumer ire for cost-of-living pressures in 2024

Inside Retail

Woolworths and Coles, Australias supermarket goliaths, have gone from Covid-19 heroes to cost-of-living villains in the last two years. Two of the nations major employers, with a combined workforce of 320,000 staff and about a 66 per cent share of the grocery market, Woolworths and Coles endured a 2024 they would no doubt rather forget. There has, of course, been political and media scrutiny of the supermarket sector in the past but in 2024, Australias two largest retailers were caught in a poli

Consumer 246
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10 Ways to Leverage Buyer Signals and Drive Revenue

In today’s ultra-competitive markets, it’s no longer enough to wait for buyers to show obvious signs of interest. Instead, sales teams must be proactive, identifying and acting on nuanced buyer behaviors — often before prospects are fully ready to make a purchase. In this eBook from ZoomInfo & Sell Better, learn 10 actionable ways to use these buyer signals to transform your sales strategy and close deals faster.