Today on Total Retail

Marketing Pendulums: Why the Only Trend to Chase is Staying True to Your Brand
April 21, 2025 at 11:39 am

If there’s one thing marketers love, it’s a shiny new object. Today, it’s longer TikTok videos outperforming their bite-sized predecessors. Tomorrow, LinkedIn posts humming along in deafening noise. However, trends have a funny way of swinging like a pendulum — what’s “in” today becomes passé tomorrow. And in this dizzying back-and-forth, the real question is:…

How Albertsons is Measuring the Value of its Media Collective
April 21, 2025 at 3:41 pm

While attending Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas last month, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Liz Roche, vice president of media and measurement at Albertsons Media Collective, the retail media arm for Albertsons Companies. In the wide-ranging conversation, Roche discusses the mission of Albertsons Media Collective, her role and career background,…

Meeting Customers Where They Are Amid a Culture of Convenience
April 21, 2025 at 12:16 pm

For retailers of all sizes, the key to driving brand recognition and ultimately sales is connecting relevantly with consumers by meeting them where they're making purchasing decisions. The expectation of convenience is ever growing among consumers. In fact, 77 percent of U.S. consumers cited convenience, including comfort, speed, accessibility and availability, as a key factor…

US Retail Sales Rise in March as Shoppers Spend Ahead of Tariffs
April 16, 2025 at 2:34 pm

U.S. retail sales saw strong growth in March, with consumers rushing to buy big-ticket items like cars as the threat of tariffs — and likely higher costs as a result — loomed large. The U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday that overall retail sales in March were up 1.4 percent over the same period last year,…

AliExpress' US Head of Marketing on Growing Market Share
April 16, 2025 at 2:43 pm

While attending Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas from March 25-27, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Chris Carl, head of marketing, U.S. for AliExpress, an international B-to-C e-commerce platform under the Alibaba Group. Carl discusses his role in growing market share for Alibaba's consumer e-commerce business in the U.S., recent updates…

From Scroll to Scale: How Performance Partnerships Are Reshaping Social Commerce
April 16, 2025 at 12:31 pm

Social commerce is no longer just a trend; it’s reshaping how consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products. Fueled by younger generations, platforms such as TikTok Shop, Instagram Shops, and YouTube Shopping have transformed shopping into an interactive, content-driven journey. By 2030, the social commerce market is projected to reach $5.32 billion to $8.5 trillion, making…

Why Companies Shouldn’t Abandon Supply Chain Visibility
April 16, 2025 at 11:49 am

2025 has so far proven to be a year of regulatory chaos for global supply chains. From the constant whiplash around tariffs and trade exclusions to the EU’s introduction of omnibus legislation for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), it has been challenging for brands and retailers to keep abreast of all of the…

3 Ways to Fine-Tune and Improve Retail Loyalty Programs
April 16, 2025 at 11:06 am

As retailers refine their 2025 marketing strategies against signs of softening demand, one key priority should be improving shopper engagement and loyalty program return on investment. According to Deloitte’s 2025 U.S. Retail Industry Outlook, six in 10 retail executives anticipate consumers will value price over loyalty this year. This makes it even more critical that…

Lowe's to Acquire Artisan Design Group for $1.33B
April 15, 2025 at 3:19 pm

Lowe's announced on Monday it has agreed to buy Artisan Design Group for $1.33 billion from private equity firm Sterling Group. The deal would help expand Lowe's offering for its professional customers at a time when the company and its rival Home Depot are facing slower demand for home remodels and construction activity. Artisan Design…

What’s Driving Retail M&A in 2025?
April 15, 2025 at 10:38 am

Retail mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are rising in 2025, powered by technology, shifting consumer demands, and the need for scale. After a subdued period, global deal activity is bouncing back. Retailers are capitalizing on this momentum to strengthen their digital capabilities and expand market reach. To succeed, they must navigate regulatory scrutiny, harness artificial intelligence-driven…