May 20, 2025
 

TikTok Shop: 8 Things Growth Marketers Should Know

by Elizabeth Hoover

The fate of TikTok in the U.S. is still in flux. At DMi Partners, from the beginning of regulation discussions, we’ve done more than stay the course for our clients; we’ve doubled down on channel investment, with great return on ad spend to show for it. One of the primary reasons? TikTok Shop. In this…

 

Bath & Body Works Names Former Nike Exec its New CEO

by Joe Keenan

Bath & Body Works has a new chief executive officer, its second in less than three years. The personal care, home and beauty retailer has named Daniel Heaf as its new CEO, effectively immediately, succeeding Gina Boswell. Heaf was most recently Nike’s chief strategy and transformation officer until his role was eliminated by the sneaker…

 
  

Transforming Retail: What to Consider Before Deploying AI Agents

by Nicola Kinsella

Imagine a customer support agent who never sleeps, learns faster than any employee, and can juggle dozens of complex tasks at once. Sounds like science fiction, right? It’s not. Welcome to the world of agentic artificial intelligence — a new frontier in retail innovation. AI was a major theme at the NRF Big Show this…

 
 
 

How to Crush Direct Mail: The Complete Guide for Marketers

LS Direct is the leader in intent-based postal retargeting – helping your brand convert website visitors to customers – from browsers to cart abandonment. The powerful channel of direct mail is growing, offering marketers a faster, more targeted path to conversions and repeat purchases. This eBook takes you through the steps of planning a successful direct mail campaign from planning, execution, and tracking.

 

 Insights & Analysis

AI is Already Changing Retail — and There’s No Turning Back

by Brian Browning

What was once the stuff of the silver screen (“Minority Report,” anyone?) is now shaping everyday decisions. Artificial intelligence is becoming a cornerstone of modern retail, almost by stealth — and its adoption shows no sign of slowing. New research from Apply Digital, surveying senior leaders across the sector, shows that retail has moved decisively…

 

Creating the In-Store Experience of the Future With Augmented Reality

by Katie Riddle

Over the past five years, the rapid shift toward online shopping has reshaped the retail landscape. While e-commerce offers undeniable convenience, it also presents challenges, particularly for retailers, where tighter margins and rising fulfillment costs pose significant hurdles. In contrast, brick-and-mortar stores provide advantages such as lessening the costs of last-mile order fulfillment and encouraging…

 

Why Efficiency Alone Won’t Save Your DTC Brand

by Bradley Keefer

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) landscape is shifting under the weight of rising customer acquisition costs, tariff threats, overdependence on Meta and Google, and a lack of long-term strategic planning. While performance marketing has fueled explosive short-term growth, it’s also created fragile business models that often falter under pressure. The most resilient and profitable brands are those…

 

States Tackle Workplace Violence Risks, With Retailers in Focus

by Susan Wiltsie and Reilly Moore

Regulators have increased their focus on addressing workplace violence risks, including some with particular attention to risks associated with retail employers. Retailers from New York to California should monitor continued developments within state legislatures and adjust their workplace policies to account for these rules — new and old. California now requires virtually all employers in…