Today on Total Retail

Target said Monday it will lower prices on approximately 5,000 frequently bought items as it seeks to stay competitive amid signs consumers are experiencing price fatigue. The company said in a statement that the price cuts are concentrated in grocery staples like milk, meat, bread, fruit and vegetables, as well as paper towels and diapers, with…

In episode 452 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Ashley Hubka, senior vice president and general manager of Walmart Business, the retailer's dedicated omnichannel experience for businesses and nonprofits. Listen in as Hubka provides an overview of the business unit (1:25), how Walmart identifies small business shoppers at its physical locations (3:00), her…

As a means to regulate modeling and creative agencies and provide basic labor protections to the creative workforce behind the fashion industry — models, influencers, artists, and stylists — the New York Fashion Workers Act (FWA) was introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Karines Reyes in March 2022. Recently, legislators in New York…

Retailers rely on up-to-date customer data to keep a pulse on consumer shopping habits, understand trends, and create targeted campaigns for very specific audience segments. Third-party cookies have long been a critical method of gathering that data. And while Google once again postponed its phaseout of third-party cookies, the extension doesn’t mean that marketers can…

We're quickly approaching the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision striking down affirmative action in higher education. Although Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard University and Students for Fair Admissions v. University of North Carolina (Harvard/UNC decision) did not squarely apply to the private sector, corporations have been swept into a nationwide conflict…

Under Armour announced a broad restructuring plan on Thursday as it said sales in its largest market, North America, plunged 10 percent and predicted the trend will get worse throughout its current fiscal year. The athletic apparel retailer also saw profits sink by more than 96 percent during its fiscal fourth quarter, compared with the…

In the multichannel world of modern retail, the voice of the customer has never been louder. Amplified by social media, customers have become an authority that no retailer can afford to underestimate. Aware of this reality, most retailers have already turned their attention to customer feedback activities. Yet only a small proportion have taken the…

In recent years, the retail world has witnessed a remarkable transformation, particularly within the realm of shopping malls. Despite the challenges posed by the e-commerce boom, top-tier malls have defied expectations, recording strong leasing volumes and experiencing steady rent growth. So, what’s driving this resurgence? Traditionally viewed as mere shopping destinations, malls are undergoing a…

In a world where balance sheets and stakeholder returns reign supreme, the retail sector faces a challenge: balancing profitability with the preservation of branded experiences. It's often tempting for retail brands to believe they will save money by insourcing their fulfillment and logistics. Unfortunately, that decision often doesn't result in cost savings. Brands that view…

Texting has taken the retail world by storm, with 37 percent of U.S. retailers sending texts and emails to customers in-store, according to Retail Systems Research. In fact, 66 percent of people worldwide use texting to engage with their favorite brands. If you're texting customers, you’ve made an excellent step toward offering more convenient, personalized…