Today on Total Retail

President Donald Trump on Monday met with chief executives from three of the nation’s top retailers, who came to the White House to discuss how his sweeping tariff plans could impact their import-heavy business models, reports CNBC. Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Target CEO Brian Cornell, and The Home Depot CEO Ted Decker were in attendance…

The buzz around artificial intelligence in retail has transcended mere novelty — it's a full-blown necessity. We’ve moved beyond the "Is AI relevant?" phase to "How fast can we scale it?" The numbers speak volumes: roughly 60 percent of retailers currently leverage AI, and a staggering 80 percent plan to boost their AI capabilities in…

In recent decades, spending after-school hours at local shopping malls was a rite of passage for teens and young adults, serving as an important social space for cultivating independence in a social setting. These experiences provided a first taste of consumerism and personal responsibility. The American mall not only provided a venue for leisure activities…

E-commerce is entering a new era; one where personalization isn’t just a marketing tactic but the foundation of the entire customer journey. Consumers increasingly expect digital experiences that are tailored to their unique needs and preferences. In fact, a recent McKinsey report found that 71 percent of consumers now expect companies to deliver personalized interactions,…

As digital commerce continues to evolve, gift cards have transformed into a strategic engagement tool for merchants. The 2025 edition of the Best Digital Gift Card Programs report, produced by Blackhawk Network and NAPCO Research, offers a deep dive into how 100 U.S. brands are optimizing their digital gift card programs — and which ones…

Every brand aims to capitalize on key moments throughout the year, whether they be seasonal sales, product launches or cultural events. However, the lives of brand customers are busier than ever. Inboxes are overflowing and social feeds crowd out or dilute messages and key information that no longer resonates as it once did. Yet marketers…

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced the launch of Tractor Supply Rx, the company’s pet and animal pharmacy offering. Customers can now shop for pet and animal medications, enroll in automatic delivery through the Autoship program, and access expert pharmacy advice via the online pharmacy. From pet wash…

In today's volatile and uncertain business environment, retail supply chain executives face numerous challenges in optimizing inventory and making intelligent supply chain decisions. The ever-changing supply chain management landscape requires agility, strategic planning, and the integration of advanced technologies to stay competitive and meet evolving consumer expectations. Define Your Supply Chain Aspirations Identifying your supply…

Retailers are embracing generative artificial intelligence, social media, and augmented reality to foster competitive differentiation, earn new customers and keeping existing ones. The balancing act between innovation and risk has never been more complex. Consumers demand convenience and personalization at unprecedented levels — driven by cutting-edge technologies — but these advancements often introduce new vulnerabilities.…

If there’s one thing marketers love, it’s a shiny new object. Today, it’s longer TikTok videos outperforming their bite-sized predecessors. Tomorrow, LinkedIn posts humming along in deafening noise. However, trends have a funny way of swinging like a pendulum — what’s “in” today becomes passé tomorrow. And in this dizzying back-and-forth, the real question is:…