Today on Total Retail

For retailers designing curated and experiential spaces for customers to elevate their in-store experience vs. competitors’ stores or e-commerce alternatives, the challenge remains: How do you design a store layout that maximizes both the customer experience and overall sales? Artificial intelligence (AI), including generative AI, can provide deeper insights, faster iterations and more intuitive store…

The fate of the retail sector remains uncertain with consumers continuing to turn to e-commerce to purchase both necessary and luxury items. As shopping habits evolve, so do the channels that customers return to time and time again for their items of choice. In a year that saw social commerce boom and channels like Instagram…

2023 was a tumultuous economic year. As brands finalize their 2024 budgets, it’s clear that every dollar must be invested wisely. Decision-makers have a difficult choice: Where should those dollars go to get the most return on investment? For brands looking to get the most out of their 2024 budget, we predict two key digital…

VF Corp., the parent company of popular apparel brands Vans, Supreme, and The North Face, said last week that hackers stole the personal data of 35.5 million customers in a December cyberattack, reports TechCrunch. The filing to regulators didn't say specifically what kinds of personal data was taken, or if the company yet knows what…

A perfect storm is brewing in retail, sparking a critical reckoning for industry leaders. Social commerce has exploded, digital brands have resurrected brick-and-mortar, delivery demands have intensified, and artificial intelligence is promising operational overhaul. Legacy retailers and e-commerce disruptors face an imperative: either rapidly transform business models, supply chain strategies and technological capabilities OR risk…

Artificial intelligence took center stage at the National Retail Federation's annual Big Show held in New York City last week. Some 40,000 attendees and retailers from across the globe swarmed the Javits Center to explore AI-focused technologies and other innovations tailored to their current requirements, opening doors to new possibilities. RFID Has Come a Long…

While at NRF 2024: Retail's Big Show in New York City last week, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan spoke with Karen Mitchell, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of Stop & Shop, a supermarket chain, to learn more about how the business is using robotics to improve the in-store customer experience as well as create engaging…

During the holidays, many retailers focused on demonstrating corporate responsibility through generous corporate giving programs primarily centered around donations. While donations are a wonderful start, there are many additional ways to show consumers you care, and holistic corporate responsibility is crucial year-round. Brands can be good social stewards throughout the year by focusing on inclusive…

Retail and economic experts who wondered how long consumers’ resiliency could last in the fourth quarter of a year marked by dwindling savings and stubbornly high prices got their answer in December. Online sales for the month increased by 11 percent over December 2022, according to Signifyd Holiday Season Pulse Tracker, to cap off a…

Retail layoffs are hitting especially hard recently. Macy’s is laying off about 3.5 percent of its total headcount, which amounts to roughly 2,350 employees, and the iconic department store is closing five locations. Also last week, online furniture seller Wayfair said it is cutting about 1,650 jobs, or 13 percent of its global workforce. The Wall…