Today on Total Retail

While at the 2025 National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in New York City from Jan. 12-14, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Steve Dennis, president and founder of SageBerry Consulting, author and podcast host. In this video interview, Dennis shares the important trends and themes he saw emerge this past…

In episode 474 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Brad Santanna, head of omnichannel marketing at The Hershey Company, an industry-leading snacks company, and Steve Triplett, senior vice president of advertising sales at Vibenomics, an in-store digital advertising provider. Listen in as Santanna and Triplett provide insight into the benefits of in-store advertising…

For retail marketers, the transition from the holiday season to the new year presents opportunities and challenges. While many businesses see the holiday period as their finish line, forward-thinking marketers understand that the real victory lies in converting seasonal momentum into year-round success. The first quarter typically sets the tone for the entire year’s performance.…

In today’s cut-throat retail landscape, promotions, which account for 10 percent to 45 percent of total revenue, are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can potentially boost sales and significantly improve brand visibility. On the other hand, poorly executed promotions can lead to decreased margins, customer frustration, and even brand dilution. Traditional retail…

In today's world, mega-retailers have changed the way we shop. They offer same-day delivery and auto-shipment and sell cheaper versions of popular brands. Because of this, consumers now expect faster, easier transactions. Yet, they also want a personal touch. In fact, recent data tells us that of consumers who preferred to shop small this past…

Toothpaste, condoms, makeup and deodorants are among dozens of products under lock and key inside clear cabinets at drugstores like CVS in order to deter thieves from shoplifting. It's become a source of inconvenience — for both customers who have to wait for a salesperson to unlock the cabinet, and for employees to stop what…

The evolution of social media from a personal connection platform to a robust marketplace has unlocked new opportunities for retailers to engage with their customers and boost business growth. This past holiday season, social media’s power to influence purchase decisions was on the rise, according to Sprout Social data. The survey of more than 2,000…

Artificial intelligence is among the most popular conversation topics in marketing today, and retailers are feeling intense pressure for a well-considered point of view and strategy around the technology. In recent roundtable discussions with more than 50 marketing leaders at a global conference, we found a vast range of experiences, organizational commitment to AI, and…

We’ve seen an alarming increase in cyberattacks targeting retail companies in recent years. For example, Hot Topic’s breach of 350 million customers’ data made headlines as the biggest retail breach to date. Unfortunately, this incident isn’t isolated. Breaches are happening more frequently and are growing in severity. Here’s what you need to know to keep…

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently announced a penalty against online sneaker retailer GOAT for failing to honor its “Instant” and “Next Day” shipping guarantees. According to the FTC’s complaint, GOAT also violated its “Assurance of Authenticity” and “Buyer Protection” promises, rejecting or only partially crediting customers for defective products. The FTC’s case was built around two key…