Today on Total Retail

Consumers are generally dissatisfied with their retail experiences, at least according to a global study from the IBM Institute for Business Value called "Revolutionize retail with AI everywhere: Customers won't wait." The report points out that only 9 percent of consumers said they were content with their in-store shopping experiences and 14 percent content with…

In episode 434 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Kathy Doyle Thomas, president of Half Price Books (HPB), a chain of new and used bookstores. Listen in as Doyle Thomas provides an overview of the HPB's business (0:50), discusses her career with the company (2:25), offers insight into how the resale book industry…

There's a near obsession with achieving the 360-degree customer view. With a single, centralized customer record, marketers believe they can achieve their dreams of perfectly orchestrated marketing across channels. Customer data platforms (CDPs) are typically the system of choice, serving as the global ID or ID of record. Identity resolution has become a key part…

Artificial intelligence allows retailers to gain a far deeper understanding of customer preferences and behaviors by analyzing information like browsing and purchase histories. Using sophisticated AI algorithms, retailers can build comprehensive profiles that reveal what individual shoppers like and need over time. This empowers retailers to provide hyperpersonalized product recommendations that closely match each customer's…

Major retailers reported record levels of retail theft in 2023, and it seems that the problem is only worsening by the day. According to a 2023 National Retail Security Survey, retail losses swelled to $112.1 billion in 2022, up a staggering 19 percent from $93.9 billion the year prior. Popular retail chains like Target, Kohl’s,…

As we step into 2024, the retail landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with virtual retail stores emerging as the next big online trend. This shift isn't just a fleeting fad but a response to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. As 3D for the web becomes more mainstream, traditional e-commerce websites are becoming flat…

Online spending rose 4.9 percent year-over-year, setting a record for e-commerce during the holiday season, as shoppers pounced on discounts and leaned on buy now, pay later to cover more of their purchases, according to Adobe Analytics. Sales totaled $222.1 billion on retailers’ websites and apps from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, according to Adobe. Adobe’s…

The retail industry, continuously adapting to new technologies and evolving consumer habits, is, once again, at the crossroads of transformation. New technologies, especially the integration of artificial intelligence, are central to this moment, compelling retailers to adjust to changing shopping behaviors and to enhance their customer experiences to create value for customers, which drives loyalty. …

Dara Meath is chief technology officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop, a global brand focused on its mission to "add a little more heart to life" by appealing to a wide array of consumer groups who enjoy the personal expression in making their own "furry friends" to celebrate and commemorate life moments. Meath spoke at Total Retail…

As consumers and government regulations call on companies to adopt increasingly sustainable practices, fashion brands need to rethink their approach to reducing their environmental impact. One of their key challenges is to achieve full visibility into all stages in the life cycle, from fiber-origin to retail. Without perfect traceability of the materials used, it's extremely…