Today's Ecommerce Pulse
Bunnings to launch shoppable catalog via Google AI Mode
Australian hardware giant Bunnings will roll out a shoppable product range through Google’s AI Mode within the next two weeks, enabling customers to browse, select and purchase items directly via Google Search, Chrome and the Google app. The move builds on Bunnings’ broader AI strategy, including the Gemini‑powered Buddy assistant that has already doubled online conversion rates.
Agentic: Shopify and Google’s UCP Will Democratize Commerce
Shopify’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) equips AI agents with a deterministic decision‑making framework that selects merchants based on structural constraints rather than ad spend. The protocol, reinforced by Google Gemini and ChatGPT integrations, turns clean data, clear policies, and reliable fulfillment into the primary ranking signals. This shift marks a move from persuasion‑driven ecommerce to an “agentic” model where operational excellence dictates visibility. Brands that engineer friction‑free, trustworthy experiences can now compete with far larger rivals.
NRF 2026: Retail's Big Show Puts Agentic AI Centre Stage
The NRF 2026 Retail’s Big Show highlighted agentic AI as the year’s headline technology, with major retailers and solution providers unveiling tools that can autonomously make decisions on pricing, inventory and customer engagement. Demonstrations ranged from AI‑driven demand forecasting engines...
USPS to Restrict Access to Package Tracking
USPS announced it will restrict access to package tracking data for commercial API users, introducing paid access and stricter authorization requirements. Consumers can still view tracking information on the USPS website, mobile app, and Informed Delivery without changes. The new...
The RealReal Cuts Asset Protection Expenses 60% with AI-Powered Video Solution
The RealReal has implemented Motorola Solutions' AI‑enabled video security system to automate the search for individual luxury items across its facilities. By inputting a simple physical description, the platform can locate a specific product in seconds instead of days, slashing...
58% of Consumers Use AI Tools to Research Products
ChannelEngine’s 2026 Marketplace Shopping Behavior Report shows AI tools now assist 58% of shoppers during product research, while the share of consumers beginning their journey on marketplaces fell to 37%, a 10‑point drop from last year. Marketplaces still outrank search...
Pacsun Looks Beyond the Standard App with New Co-Creation Platform
Pacsun unveiled the PS Community Hub, a digital platform that blends social interaction, creator monetization, and co‑creation with traditional shopping. Launched in early January, the hub lets everyday users and influencers collaborate on fashion ideas, earn affiliate commissions, and shop...
Macy’s to Close 14 Underperforming Stores Even as It Touts ‘Bold New Chapter’ Performance
Macy’s announced the closure of 14 underperforming stores in 12 states as part of its "Bold New Chapter" transformation. CEO Tony Spring highlighted stronger results from the "Reimagine 125" pilot stores and growth in luxury banners Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury. The...
Amazon Hypes Ambient AI: Always on in the Background
Amazon highlighted its "ambient AI" vision at CES 2026, promising products that operate invisibly until needed. The company also announced Peter DeSantis as head of a new unit covering AGI, custom chips and quantum computing, underscoring a long‑term conviction in breakthrough...
From Collectible AR Cards to Blockchain Games: How to Revitalize Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs still generate strong ROI, yet consumer satisfaction remains under 50% in the U.S. and Canada. Traditional point‑based schemes convert only about 5% of shoppers, leaving the majority disengaged. Retailers are turning to gamified experiences that blend augmented reality...
Ecommerce Success with Fractional Talent
The Starters, launched in late 2023, is a two‑sided marketplace that connects ecommerce brands with vetted fractional talent, now hosting over 600 freelancers and serving 500 client brands. The platform differentiates itself by charging freelancers zero commission and requiring brands to...
Online Sales Grow 19% During Christmas in Portugal
Online shopping in Portugal surged during the 2025 Christmas period, with ecommerce transactions up 19% and total online spend rising about 14% compared with the same window in 2024. E‑commerce accounted for 18% of all sales transactions and 21% of...
Creative Realities Launches Digital Drive-Thru 2.0
Creative Realities unveiled Digital Drive‑Thru 2.0, a modular digital menu‑board platform designed to streamline installation, maintenance, and scaling for quick‑service restaurants and other drive‑thru venues. The system reduces installation complexity, complies with municipal regulations, and lets operators add or adjust components...
United Supermarkets Brings Back Interactive Loyalty
United Supermarkets, together with TCC Global, has relaunched its interactive "28-Day Challenge" loyalty campaign across the United, Albertsons Market, Market Street and Amigos banners. The program delivers weekly shopping challenges, digital coupons and personalized rewards through a mobile interface. TCC...
Online Growth Expected in Bulgaria
Bulgaria joined the eurozone on January 1, becoming the 21st member and eliminating currency conversion for cross‑border transactions. The move grants local financial institutions access to Europe’s central payment systems, streamlining payments for online retailers. Despite this, e‑commerce adoption remains modest,...
GameStop Closing up to 200 Stores This Month as Board Approves $35B Performance-Based Pay Package for CEO
GameStop announced it will shutter up to 200 U.S. stores this month, adding to the 590 closures completed in FY2024. The retailer also unveiled a performance‑based compensation plan for Chairman and CEO Ryan Cohen that could be worth as much...
David’s Bridal Debuts Ambassador Program for Creators, Customers and Associates
David’s Bridal has launched the David’s Style Squad, an ambassador program that enlists creators, frontline associates, and loyal customers to produce shoppable user‑generated content. Participants earn commissions ranging from 5% to 20% on net sales, with top performers receiving early‑access...
Acquiring Customers via Google Ads
Google Ads introduces a New Customer Acquisition feature that lets advertisers assign incremental conversion values to first‑time buyers, influencing bid strategies. By inputting a target ROAS and using average order value, the platform can suggest a higher value—e.g., $46.27 versus...
Digital ID in Mobile Wallets Is Helping Pull Shoppers Back In-Store
Digital IDs embedded in mobile wallets are streamlining checkout and verification, turning smartphones into trusted identity hubs. Retailers are leveraging this capability to blend online convenience with in‑store experiences through loyalty programs, targeted messaging, and tap‑based interactions. Early adopters report...
From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Maximizing 2D Barcode Impact Ahead of Sunrise 2027
Retailers must upgrade all POS scanners to read GS1 Digital Link 2D barcodes by early 2027, a deadline known as Sunrise 2027. The change replaces static UPCs with dynamic QR‑style codes that can carry batch data, sustainability attributes, and consumer‑facing...
How a Party Side Hustle Became a Six-Figure Brand
In this episode, Bashify founder Bre Giglio explains how she transformed a modest party‑planning side hustle into a $600,000 balloon brand by launching small, leveraging social media, and prioritizing trust, transparency, and exceptional customer experience. She details the strategic use...
e.l.f Beauty Launches Roblox Game
Cosmetics brand e.l.f Beauty has launched a new makeup game Glow Up! On Roblox
UK Retail Innovation Council Reveals 2026 Agenda
The UK Retail Innovation Council has unveiled its 2026 agenda, outlining the strategic priorities its Executive Committee will tackle in early 2026. The roadmap emphasizes AI‑driven personalization, sustainable sourcing, and deeper omnichannel integration. It also flags supply‑chain resilience, real‑time data...
#485 - Amazon PPC Extreme Makeover Workshop
Bradley and Amazon PPC specialist Vincenzo Toscano audit Helium 10's Project X ad account, revealing that its testing‑focused setup leaves many modern levers untapped. They walk through rule‑based bid adjustments, minimum click thresholds, and disciplined keyword harvesting, emphasizing tight campaigns...
PepsiCo Deploys AI-Powered Digital Twins of Manufacturing Facilities to Test Expansion Plans
PepsiCo has teamed with Nvidia and Siemens to create AI‑driven, physics‑based digital twins of its U.S. manufacturing and warehouse sites using Nvidia Omniverse and Siemens Digital Twin Composer. The virtual replicas let AI agents simulate layout changes, catching up to...
Holiday Ecommerce Sales Near $260 Billion with AI Driving 20% of Transactions
Consumers set a new record for holiday ecommerce, reaching $257.8 billion, a 6.8% year‑over‑year increase. Mobile devices drove 56.4% of online transactions, while aggressive discounts pushed electronics off‑price by 30.9%. Salesforce estimates U.S. online sales at $294 billion, contributing to a $1.29 trillion...
Target’s New Year’s Resolution: More Wellness (30% More, in Fact)
Target is accelerating its wellness strategy in 2026, boosting its health‑focused product assortment by 30 percent. The retailer launched Target Wellness Week, running through Jan. 10, with deep discounts, personalized Circle 360 offers, and its first in‑store wellness events. New private‑label lines...
1800Flowers.com Appoints Alexander Zelikovsky as CIO
1800Flowers.com announced Alexander Zelikovsky as its new chief information officer, a move designed to accelerate the retailer’s digital transformation agenda. Reporting directly to CEO Adolfo Villagomez, Zelikovsky will steer enterprise‑wide technology strategy, covering applications, data architecture, cybersecurity, and business intelligence....
2025 Holiday Shopping Went AI
The Liveops 2025 Holiday AI & Customer Service Report shows the U.S. holiday season became the first fully AI‑driven shopping period. AI chatbots answered roughly 40% of consumer queries, while voice assistants processed 15% of purchases. Personalized AI recommendation engines...
Top Alternatives to Sticker Mule: 10 Sticker Services to Try in 2026
Sticker Mule remains a popular custom‑sticker provider, but 2026 sees a surge of niche competitors offering distinct advantages. StickerApp leads with specialty finishes like holographic and glow‑in‑the‑dark, while StickerGiant targets high‑volume bulk orders with rapid shipping. Jukebox Print delivers next‑day...
Nespresso Opens NYC Flagship Brimming with Coffee-Flavored Experiential Retail
Nespresso unveiled its eighth and largest flagship store in New York City, occupying 13,900 square feet in the Flatiron district. The two‑level space combines a refreshed boutique design with experiential zones, including a Hidden Cup Coffee Bar serving functional and zero‑proof drinks,...
Albertsons Media Collective Launches Store-Level Measurement to Gauge Ads’ True Impact
Albertsons Media Collective has launched a store‑level incrementality measurement system that isolates the true sales lift generated by in‑store ads. The solution pits test stores exposed to media against rigorously matched control stores, creating a statistically validated counterfactual. In a...
White House Delays Increase in Furniture Tariffs for One Year
President Donald Trump has postponed the scheduled increase in tariffs on upholstered furniture, kitchen cabinets and vanities from January 1, 2026 to January 2027, keeping the existing 25% tariff on timber and lumber in place. The original Section 232 order...
5 Roadblocks Slowing Commerce Media…and How to Clear Them
Commerce media is projected to exceed $100 billion, but retailers face five key implementation roadblocks. First‑party data often remains siloed, limiting precise audience segmentation. Manual audience creation, fragmented channel activation, lack of self‑service tools, and slow, opaque measurement further hinder growth....
2026 Retail Predictions: More AI, Yes, but That’s Not All, Folks
Retail TouchPoints forecasts that AI will dominate every retail function in 2026, but the year’s biggest shifts will revolve around consumer wellbeing, curated experiences, and the rise of circular commerce. Experts from MG2, Pinterest, Walmart Data Ventures and others warn...
Returnuary Turns Holiday Returns Into a Margin Problem
January, known as Returnuary, brings a surge of post‑holiday product returns that compress retailer margins and overload reverse‑logistics networks. Return rates can climb above 30% of holiday sales, forcing merchants to absorb restocking fees, transportation costs, and inventory obsolescence. Many...
5 Content Marketing Ideas for February 2026
The article outlines five timely content‑marketing ideas for February 2025, using cultural milestones such as Charles Schulz’s death anniversary, the Pet Rock fad, Global Movie Day, Cinderella’s 75th anniversary, and a monthly shopper update. It recommends specific formats—blog posts, nostalgic...
Storenvy Review 2026: Ecommerce Platform for Indie Sellers
Storenvy offers a free ecommerce solution that combines a marketplace listing with a custom storefront, charging no monthly fee and only a 15% commission on marketplace sales. Sellers keep 100% of revenue from traffic they drive to their own store,...
Top Read Retail CX Stories in 2025: Consumer Behavior, AI Ethics, Brand Tech Deployments
RetailCustomerExperience.com’s 2025 most‑read CX stories highlighted a wave of technology‑driven initiatives across the sector. Walmart pushed drone delivery, GenAI assistants and digital shelves, while Verizon rolled out AI‑powered personalization across every customer touchpoint. Brands such as The North Face, Oh Polly...
Stop Competing on Features: Reimagine Your Entire Product Category Instead
In this episode, Dr. Julie Chung explains how T3 transformed hair tools from mere appliances into luxury beauty products by redefining their category. She details the strategic shifts in product placement, design aesthetics, messaging, and retail approach that created a...
Fyffes Campaign Goes Bananas
Banana distributor Fyffes announced that its newly launched consumer brand, Trudi’s, has delivered strong market performance following a coordinated video advertising and digital signage campaign. The initiative drove a double‑digit increase in sales and lifted brand awareness across key retail...
Unified Platforms and Agentic AI Will Define E-Commerce in 2026
Retailers entering 2026 are consolidating disparate systems into unified platforms that blend storefront, inventory, and logistics into a single data fabric. Agentic artificial intelligence is emerging as a decision‑making layer, autonomously handling product recommendations, dynamic pricing, and fraud detection. Advanced...
The Psychology-Driven Formula for High-Converting Giveaways
The episode breaks down a psychology‑driven formula for turning giveaways into revenue generators, emphasizing that the prize should be the brand’s own product, clearly anchored with a specific dollar value, and presented as a complete, lifestyle‑rich bundle. It highlights how...
Yes, 404 Status Codes Hurt SEO
A 404 status code signals a missing page but does not act as a direct ranking penalty in Google’s algorithm. Google actually prefers 404 or 410 responses for removed content, treating them as normal web signals. However, when deleted pages...
Shoppers Want Flexible Delivery over Free Shipping
The 2025 Delivery Experience Study by Bringg reveals that shoppers now prioritize a reliable, flexible delivery experience over free shipping. Seventy‑one percent of consumers think about delivery before checkout, and 72% consider on‑time arrival essential. Late or inflexible deliveries drive...
J.Jill Names Viv Rettke as Chief Growth Officer
J.Jill has appointed Viv Rettke as its first chief growth officer, a newly created role aimed at accelerating the brand’s expansion. Rettke brings growth expertise from Cole Haan, Reebok and Kraft Heinz, where she led major brand transformations. She will...
Zales Sparkles with New Store Concept
US jewellery retailer Zales has launched a new next-gen store concept – The Edit
Slow Dopa
Scott Galloway warns that the "buy now, pay later" boom reflects a broader cultural addiction to instant dopamine hits, especially among young men. He argues that male brains mature later, leaving them vulnerable to impulsive tech, gambling, and finance products....
What Main Street Can Teach Silicon Valley About Building Loyalty
Andrew Helms, SumUp’s U.S. CEO, argues that Silicon Valley’s focus on rapid growth overlooks the loyalty built through personal trust on Main Street. He highlights how small‑business owners create lasting relationships by remembering customers, offering fair pricing, and showing genuine...
Protein Bar Founder Thrives in a Crowded Field (Encore)
Will Nitze, founder and CEO of IQBAR, explains how his plant‑based, low‑sugar protein bar succeeded by targeting uncompetitive niches and clear labeling, launching via a $75,000 Kickstarter seven years ago. He expands on scaling the business, adding complementary products like...
When Heavy Products Make Global Sense
Freight‑right founder Robert Khachatryan argues that heavy, high‑margin products—like commercial fitness equipment or laser welders—can thrive in cross‑border ecommerce despite shipping complexities. By examining visitor geography and freight quotes, merchants can identify overseas demand that justifies freight, duties, and taxes....