Today on Total Retail

As of early July, more than half (55 percent) of back-to-school and college shoppers had already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Total back-to-school spending is expected to reach $38.8 billion, the second-highest figure on…

In 2023, the U.S. secondhand market generated an estimated $53 billion in revenue — with no signs of slowing down. However, thrift stores, like any retail operation, must ensure they have a sound inventory flow, especially during times of donor fatigue. With the growth the industry is poised to have over the next few years,…

A day of shopping in San Francisco’s Hayes Valley or Austin’s South Congress can make you feel like you’ve stepped inside a millennial’s Instagram feed. Brands like Brooklinen and Warby Parker, previously only available online, have expanded to brick-and-mortar locations in these trendy neighborhoods to grow sales. And it’s clearly working — the now-public glasses…

There’s no denying the grip Amazon.com has on consumers. Amazon is reported to account for nearly 50 percent of all e-commerce sales in the U.S. as of 2023. To put it in perspective, Amazon gets one of every two dollars spent in e-commerce at large. This cannot be understated. Brands at all levels — low-margin,…

Globally, private brand sales are soaring. According to Nielsen IQ, in the U.S. alone these brands now comprise 17 percent of all retail sales. But when it comes to sustainability, particularly for packaging, the picture is a little murkier. Retailers’ private brand product managers tend to focus on the bottom line for differentiation to steal market…

Primark announced that it will open a new store at Great Lakes Crossing Outlets in Auburn Hills, Michigan on Sept. 12. The retailer's first store in Michigan, this opening will offer Detroit-area shoppers more than 36,600 square feet of retail selling space with the latest fashion trends and essentials for the whole family, as well as…

Inflation continues to cast a long shadow over American households, with prices soaring to levels 33 percent higher than those seen four years ago. Despite prices easing in recent months, inflation’s cumulative effect has exacted economic strain on many families, who are grappling with a higher cost of living coupled with slower income growth. In…

Retailers will need to embrace the experience economy and strategically integrate next-generation technologies to effectively navigate enterprise transformation and industry disruption. To successfully enter the new era of cognitive retail, brands should keep these five trends in mind: 1. Customers Are Prioritizing Experiences Over Products. Nearly 90 percent of consumers say that the experience a…

In episode 461 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Maya Baluschak, director of digital marketing and loyalty at Rexall, a leading Canadian pharmacy and drugstore chain. Listen in as Baluschak provides an overview of the Rexall business (0:45), her role at the company (1:15), and digital marketing efforts to differentiate the pharmacy chain…

In the fiercely competitive realm of online shopping, each phase of the customer journey greatly influences conversion rates and customer loyalty. The checkout process is a crucial last step in this journey. In fact, half of consumers want the process to be easier. A seamless and effective checkout procedure results in increased conversion rates, enhanced customer…