Today on Total Retail

Costco Wholesale's membership increase took effect on Sunday as its annual membership fees increased to $65 from $60 for its Gold Star plan and to $130 from $120 for its Executive plan. While Wall Street analysts have long pushed for Costco to increase membership fees, the latest increase marks the first time the company has upped…

In the fast-paced world of e-commerce, where brands need to regularly adapt their strategy to remain relevant and thrive, every decision counts. Yet I've seen too many brands make a critical mistake: treating one of their largest P&L items — shipping — as merely a cost center. This mistake is costing them a lot. Brands…

Nearly one in five retail transactions occur online, with that figure rising each year. While retailers have adapted their strategies to reflect this consumer behavior, there’s one massive issue that they’re grappling with, especially given the rise in artificial intelligence: e-commerce fraud. Today’s fraudsters have more opportunity than ever to commit crime, using identity as…

For many retailers, including Big Lots, store closures and restructuring are not just unfortunate outcomes but necessary strategies to maintain profitability and relevance. Store closures are often part of a broader strategy to realign resources and focus on more profitable locations. Retailers can identify underperforming locations and strategically close them to optimize their footprint by…

The back-to-school shopping season is one of the most lucrative opportunities for retailers annually. Even in tighter economic conditions, with planning and flexibility, savvy businesses can see solid returns. According to the National Retail Federation’s Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz, this year’s back-to-school shopping season should see record sales numbers. While challenging economic indicators like inflation…

The niche Halloween store Spirit Halloween announced Tuesday it was opening 1,525 stores, the most in its history, this fall across North America. Already the nation's largest Halloween retailer, the 41-year-old seasonal company said it would hire thousands of associates to man the stores in the coming weeks. Over 1,100 locations are already open. "The…

The internet has made the world feel smaller by connecting people from all over the globe seamlessly. This accessibility has rapidly evolved the retail landscape beyond national borders, opening doors for retailers to increase their customer bases and global footprints. However, these opportunities do not come without roadblocks, with one of the biggest challenges being…

No person should fear for their physical or psychological wellbeing at work. In the retail industry, however, this has become commonplace. Recent data shows that 88 percent of retailers have identified more aggressive and violent shoplifters compared to one year ago. In addition, in 2023, as many as 13 percent of small business owners in…

In a tough economic landscape and presidential election year, it’s important to know the right strategies to win the holidays amid these challenges. After all, in times of uncertainty, people are less apt to spend their hard-earned dollars. With the holiday season approaching, this might be worrying for some marketers and retailers. Not only for…

Several factors have come together to compel retail executives to tighten up their future plans and their balance sheets. Nervous about recent shipping disruptions, retailers prepared for peak season unusually early. They’re also under greater financial scrutiny; despite a deceleration in inflation, costs overall remain high. Unwilling to miss any revenue opportunities, they’re making sure…