Today on Total Retail

Retailers broke records over the holidays as Americans opened their wallets, supported by a strong job market. But that same job market, with low unemployment rates, means retailers struggled to recruit and retain the workers needed for the hectic shopping bonanza. For retail workers — who represent 26 percent of the U.S. labor force —…

We can see the future. You probably can see it too: technology. However, as artificial intelligence and other advances open new possibilities for building brand devotion, keeping human experience at the forefront is increasingly important. We’re highlighting five trends that will reverberate across the loyalty and customer experience (CX) landscape this year. Spoiler alert: Brands…

Here are several trends within the packaging world that are worth tracking by retailers and brands: Sustainable Packaging Trends: Retailers are embracing minimalist designs, digital printing, and eco-conscious materials to meet rising consumer demand for sustainability. Industry-Wide Appeal: From food to fashion, sustainable packaging resonates across all retail sectors and demographics, helping brands build trust…

E-commerce is a tough business. The margins are often wafer-thin and competition is intense. Consumers have elevated expectations. Success demands a frictionless experience on the front end, along with hyper-efficient operations on the back end. For as long as anyone can remember, e-commerce businesses have tried to meet their efficiency and user experience (UX) goals by…

With political and economic pressures rising, and figures like President Trump advocating for the rollback of DEI programs, many retailers are reassessing their DEI strategies. Recently, Costco’s board of directors rejected a shareholder proposal that would require the company to produce a report on the risks of its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies. At…

The retail media hype seems to have hit a fever pitch over the past 12 months, but the dollars flowing in proved that it’s far more than just an ad tech-driven buzzword. eMarketer says the ecosystem raked in about $43 billion in 2023, and it’s now expected to reach nearly $85 billion by 2027. Big…

Most retail industry forecasters are predicting that 2025 will be a year of growth for the sector, including Deloitte, which recently projected a 3.1 percent increase in consumer spending over the next 12 months. But as with any broad-based metric, the benefits of that growth will be distributed unevenly. How can retailers ensure that they're…

High school graduations will be here sooner than you think, and seniors across America will turn their focus from academics and college admissions to coming up with a memorable senior prank that will create an enduring legacy for their class. Led by the class’s most creative mischief makers, the goal of these senior pranks is…

On Wednesday, Target announced that it has struck a multiyear deal with Champion, the sportswear brand long associated with hoodies and sweatpants. Authentic Brands Group bought Champion from HanesBrand last year. Starting in August, Target will carry an exclusive line of more than 500 items from Champion in most stores and online, including apparel for adults…

Fabrics retail chain Joann will shutter all of its approximately 800 locations after failing to find a buyer that would keep its stores open, reports CNBC. In January, the retailer filed for Chapter 11 protection for the second time in a year, saying that inventory shortages had forced it to back into bankruptcy. In a…