Today on Total Retail

Retail sales grew at a steady pace in March in part due to wage gains and easing inflation for goods, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor report, powered by Affinity Solutions, released on Monday by the National Retail Federation (NRF). According to the Retail Monitor report, total retail sales were up 2.72 percent unadjusted year-over-year…

In episode 448 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Libby Strachan, director of brand marketing at Free People, an Urban Outfitters, Inc. global lifestyle brand with offerings in unique apparel, intimate wear, shoes and accessories; and Kristen Dolan, senior vice president of growth at Influential, an AI social data and conversion technology. Strachan…

Regardless of the time, location or platform that customers choose to interact with their favorite brands, they expect a personalized and engaging experience. And for businesses that can deliver a unified experience, meeting customers' heightened expectations is a great opportunity to outperform rivals. In fact, 80 percent of customers admit that the experience a company…

Despite artificial intelligence's growing potential, many retailers currently struggle to embrace it and act on the insights it delivers. Often, this comes down to them not taking a strategic approach and deploying disjointed tools that are difficult to use or scale. New approaches are needed if AI is to truly benefit merchants and customers alike.…

Retail sales were reported to have dropped in January after a busy holiday season and we've entered what's traditionally the slowest season in retail. This post-holiday slump has coincided with lasting inflation and a significant drop in foot traffic, according to Adentro. However, although spending typically slows this time of year, it’s far from standstill.…

Macy's announced on Wednesday that it has settled its proxy fight with real estate investor Arkhouse, appointing two of the firm’s nominees to its 15-person board. Ric Clark and Rick Markee will join Macy’s board effective immediately. They’ll be part of the committee that’s in charge of overseeing and evaluating Arkhouse’s bid to take the…

Emotions are central to how we engage, communicate with, and react to our world, motivating our behavior and deepening our interactions. Brands that lean into the intricacies of human emotions are proven to generate more sales and loyalty. According to McKinsey, 76 percent of consumers reported that receiving personalized communications was a top factor in…

The world of work is evolving rapidly, with the average professional changing careers around five to seven times over their lifetime. Whether driven by personal aspirations, industry shifts, or economic forces, career transitions can be daunting. However, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has opened up new avenues for individuals to navigate these changes more…

In today’s retail landscape, success extends far beyond profit margins and market share. Increasingly, consumers are looking to align their purchasing decisions with their personal values, driving the need for retailers to incorporate social impact initiatives into their business strategies. When I audit companies, they often show me their CSR and sustainability report where I…

In 2024, the most forward-thinking and innovative retail organizations will recognize that it's a must to blend intelligent human insight and artificial intelligence (AI). It will become clear that unless an organization can find a way to unify the two across virtually every aspect of their business, it will suffer the consequences across both the…