Today on Total Retail

Etsy announced Wednesday it was piloting a new buyer membership program called Etsy Insider to incentivize more consumers to shop the online marketplace. "One of our top priorities is encouraging buyers to think of Etsy first and shop with us more often, translating the joy Etsy inspires into more sales for our 7 million sellers,"…

In the evolving landscape of business management for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), artificial intelligence tools have emerged as vital assets to streamline operations and optimize resources. Small business owners continually seek ways to bolster their competitive edge and increase efficiency, understanding that in today's technology-driven market, staying ahead of the competition is critical. The…

The U.S. Polo Assn. has climbed the retail ranks as one of the largest global licensed sports brands in the world, ranking consistently alongside the NFL, MLB, and NBA. J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL), joined the Women in Retail and Total Retail Virtual Exchange on July 24 for an…

Environmentalist Jay Westerveld coined the term "greenwashing" in 1986 while visiting Fiji. The hotel he was staying at had a policy that urged guests to reuse their towels to “save the environment,” but he ultimately uncovered it was to save on laundry expenses. Now, in the age of social media and information overload, brands even…

Advances in digital technology continue to transform consumer journeys, evolving everything from the way brands engage with consumers to how shoppers complete their most basic purchases. Loyalty programs have long been a tried-and-true method for brands looking to engage, offering an opportunity to reward shoppers for repeat business and grow customer loyalty. To that end,…

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…