Today on Total Retail

It’s only early October, but by the looks of current ad campaigns and the décor in retailers’ brick-and-mortar shops, it’s already Thanksgiving. It’s a signal to all that the holidays are approaching, and with them, the onslaught of holiday shopping, both in-store and online. Over the past few years, retailers have enjoyed particularly busy holiday…

As the thermometer drops and the holiday season draws closer, that signals the beginning of a slew of opportunities for retailers in the coming months. However, despite the promise of the holiday shopping rush to help retailers’ bottom lines and set businesses on course for a successful new year, it's imperative for them to consider…

Macy's announced on Tuesday that it will open up to 30 smaller stores in strip malls over the next two years, as the retailer chases customers out of shopping malls and into bustling suburbs. The expansion marks an inflection point for the department store operator, which has looked for ways to refresh its legacy brand, cope with…

Consumer desire for convenience, speed and the resultant increase in online shopping has dramatically altered the retail landscape. With greatly diminished foot traffic in stores and retail spending now strapped by inflationary pressure on consumer pocketbooks, we've seen record numbers of retail bankruptcies, restructurings, and associated store closures in 2023. When a retail operator goes…

Digital advertising is in constant flux. Amidst this change, retail media networks (RMNs) stand out as a beacon for brands that are eager to shine and retailers eager to monetize. And with a staggering 73 percent of advertisers amping up their RMN investments, it's clear there's something special brewing. So, what's the magic ingredient? It's…

Consumers are increasingly skeptical. Name brands can no longer assume customer loyalty based on reputation alone. Today’s consumer doesn’t hesitate to study the reviews and experiences of others to determine the highest quality products at the best price — brand name or not. While some popular review sites (think Amazon.com) are no longer assumed to…

Retailers, particularly those in high throughput categories like footwear and apparel, are still feeling the effects of the inventory glut that started in 2022. The issue is so severe for some brands that the tactics being used to clear inventory have moved from desperate to dangerous. We’re already seeing brands offering 40 percent off site-wide…

Toys R Us is plotting a bold comeback in the U.S., as it plans to expand its brick-and-mortar presence with as many as 24 new flagship stores and a separate rollout at airports and on cruise ships starting this holiday season. The toy retailer’s parent company, WHP Global, announced what it called the “Air, Land and…

In the ever-evolving business of marketing, one thing has become clear: the era of passive metrics is over. As advertisers navigate this dynamic new world, the deprecation of cookies — a change that holds seismic implications — is at the forefront of the transformation. The looming loss of cookies has, without question, paved the way…

In episode 421 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Chris Wantlin, chief retail officer at Ashley, the No. 1 furniture and mattress retailer in North America. Among other topics, Wantlin discusses the company's recent rebrand, how Ashley is bringing consumer awareness to its brand refresh, and the internal collaboration needed to execute the…