Umair Shahid: PostgreSQL Materialized Views: When Caching Your Query Results Makes Sense (And When It Doesn’t)
PostgreSQL materialized views create a physical snapshot of expensive query results, allowing fast, indexed reads while shifting computation to scheduled refreshes. The article demonstrates turning a 28‑second revenue aggregation into a 180‑millisecond lookup by building, indexing, and refreshing a materialized view. It compares views, materialized views, and summary tables, and outlines full versus concurrent refresh methods. Operational guidance covers scheduling, observability, and trade‑offs such as staleness, storage cost, and refresh overhead.
Banks Rethink Blanket Merchant Bans as Regulatory Guidance Evolves
Banks are reexamining blanket merchant bans after regulators removed reputational risk from exam criteria in 2025, prompting a shift toward nuanced, data‑driven underwriting. Maverick Payments’ VP Kyle Becker explained that clear risk‑appetite statements combined with automated KYC/KYB, AI monitoring and...
Rate Rise Reality Check: Why Retailers Must Pivot to Productivity and Cash Flow
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate to 3.85%, ending a brief period of monetary easing. The hike lifts borrowing costs for households and retailers, squeezing disposable income and prompting shoppers to trade down and chase promotions. Retailers,...
Briscoe Group Sees Record Year as Online Sales Grow
Briscoe Group posted record fourth‑quarter sales of $220.6 million and a full‑year total of $686.8 million, despite a challenging consumer environment. Online sales rose to 20 percent of revenue, up from 19.7 percent, following a migration to a new Adobe platform. Homeware sales grew...
‘The Fragrance Consumer Is Experimental as Ever’: Why Snif Is Going ‘Even Weirder’ with Its Latest Ulta Launch
Snif has launched two novelty fragrances—one evoking pizza and another inspired by Swedish candy—through Ulta Beauty’s nationwide stores. The brand frames the scents as part of an "experimental" consumer wave, targeting shoppers who seek playful, unconventional perfume experiences. By partnering...
Lulus Beefs up Its Wholesale Strategy with Nordstrom and Dillard’s Expansions
Occasionwear brand Lulus, celebrating its 30th anniversary, is accelerating its wholesale expansion. After a 140% jump in wholesale sales last year, the brand now sells in all 350 Nordstrom locations and has more than doubled its presence at Dillard’s to...
How Tree Hut Used AI to Turn Customer Feedback Into Product Insights and Quadruple Social Engagement
Tree Hut, a bath‑and‑body brand under Naterra, has deployed an AI‑powered community‑management platform to mine comments, DMs and other social signals. The technology transformed routine engagement into a data engine that quantifies product demand, sentiment and collaboration ideas, enabling the...
How Tree Hut Used AI to Turn Customer Feedback Into Product Insights and Quadruple Social Engagement
Tree Hut integrated an AI tool into its social channels to automatically process community comments and direct messages, creating a searchable database of consumer requests. The system quantified demand for the Cinnamon Dolce scent, revealing thousands of mentions that justified expanding the...
Why Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct Won’t Lower Food Prices
Canada’s Grocery Code of Conduct became fully effective on Jan. 1, 2026, establishing an independent framework for retailer‑supplier relations among the nation’s five largest grocers. The code emphasizes transparency, dispute‑resolution and fair dealing, but it does not contain any mechanisms to cap...
FuturePay Integrates Paysafe’s SafetyPay Solution to Support Expansion Into Latin America
FuturePay Global Limited announced the integration of Paysafe’s SafetyPay suite to accelerate its entry into Latin America. The partnership adds more than 175 banking partners across nine countries, along with SafetyPay’s eCash and Brazil’s Pix instant payment options. By embedding...
Bain on China’s More Selective Luxury Consumer and What It Means for Brands
Bain & Company’s 2025 China luxury market report shows the mainland personal luxury segment contracted 3‑5% in 2023 after a sharper decline in 2022. Growth is now limited to affordable‑luxury and ultra‑premium categories, while mid‑priced items lag. Beauty products posted...
Retail Crime and the Price of Justification in 2026
Victoria has introduced tougher penalties for assaults on retail staff, including up to five years in prison and reclassifying ram raids as aggravated burglary with sentences up to 25 years. Retail crime incidents rose over 20% in 2025, making the...
Gumtree Secures Onboarding for Growth
Gumtree announced a strategic onboarding partnership aimed at accelerating its entry into the home‑services market. The collaboration introduces automated verification, streamlined listing creation, and promotional placement tools for service providers. Gumtree projects a 30% increase in home‑services listings within the...
Eddie Bauer Stores Likely to Close as Operator Nears Bankruptcy
Eddie Bauer's North American retail arm, owned by Catalyst Brands, is preparing a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing that could shutter nearly 200 U.S. and Canadian stores. The filing would not impact the brand's manufacturing, wholesale or e‑commerce operations, nor its stores...
NymCard and Visa Launch Stablecoin Settlement in GCC Region
NymCard and Visa have launched USDC stablecoin settlement for Visa‑card transactions across the Gulf Cooperation Council, enabling 24/7, near‑instant processing. The model promises lower operational costs, reduced collateral and prefunding needs, and a foundation for multicurrency settlement. Visa disclosed a...
Millennials and Gen Z Power Earnings as Spending Moves Fully Digital
Millennials and Gen Z are fueling earnings growth for financial services and retailers as their spending fully migrates to digital channels. Gen Z averages 425 digital activity days per month, shops on Amazon at triple the rate of older cohorts,...
The New Digital Paradigm: How Your Brand Will Be Discovered in 2026
AI-driven search is redefining brand discovery as generative engine optimization (GEO) replaces traditional SEO. By 2026, consumers will phrase queries conversationally, prompting retailers to craft natural language content. AI chatbots already influenced 17% of Cyber Week 2025 orders and will...
Investors Bet Big on AI as Core Hardware Infrastructure
Investors poured billions into AI startups this week, treating artificial intelligence as core operating infrastructure. Ricursive Intelligence secured $300 million Series A at a $4 billion valuation to accelerate AI‑driven semiconductor design, while Waabi raised $1 billion to scale autonomous trucking and robotaxi fleets....
GameStop's Ryan Cohen Appears to Be Moving on From Bitcoin, Eyes 'Consumer Megadeal'
GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen announced plans to acquire a large publicly traded consumer company, aiming to transform the retailer’s valuation into the hundreds of billions. The move follows the recent transfer of the firm’s 4,710 bitcoin holdings to Coinbase Prime,...
Robinhood UK Begins Rolling Out Stocks and Shares Individual Savings Account
Robinhood UK is rolling out its stocks‑and‑shares Individual Savings Account this week, bringing the fintech’s zero‑commission model to a tax‑advantaged product. The ISA allows up to £20,000 of tax‑free investing per year and includes a 0.10% foreign‑exchange fee, no platform...
FedEx Launches AI-Powered Tracking and Returns Tools
FedEx has introduced two AI‑driven services, Tracking+ and Returns+, that merchants can embed directly into their digital channels. Developed with parcelLab, the white‑label tools deliver real‑time shipment visibility, automated customer responses, and analytics on delivery and return performance. Early data...
How DataDome Stopped Millions of Ticket Scalping Bots Targeting a Global Sports Organization
Between Jan 8‑13 2026 a global sports organization faced a coordinated ticket‑scalping attack that generated over 16 million malicious requests from 3.9 million unique IPs. DataDome’s Galileo Threat Research team identified the threat in real time and deployed AI‑driven detection that blocked every request...
Most US Eddie Bauer Stores Likely to Close as Operator Preps Bankruptcy
Eddie Bauer's U.S. operating company, run by Catalyst Brands, is preparing to file for bankruptcy. The filing threatens the closure of most of the brand’s more than 250 North American retail locations. Authentic Brands Group, which owns the Eddie Bauer...
The Performance Marketing Channel Retailers Are Overlooking
Retailers are rethinking costly search and volatile paid‑social spend as consumer budgets tighten, yet many still treat cashback as a peripheral affiliate tactic. In markets like Singapore and Europe, cashback platforms drive tens of billions in sales and deliver 18‑25%...
Genesco CFO to Exit
Genesco announced that CFO Sandra Harris will depart on March 6, with CEO Mimi Vaughn stepping in as interim CFO while a search for a permanent replacement begins. The footwear retailer reported a 3% year‑over‑year increase in Q3 net sales to $616 million...
‘No Spend January’ Boom Raises Questions for Retailers as Longer-Term ‘Low-Buy’ Trends Emerge
The TikTok‑driven ‘No Spend January’ challenge, adopted by 26% of Americans and now extending to full‑year commitments, is prompting consumers to limit purchases to essentials. Small and medium‑size retailers are feeling the squeeze, as lower impulse spending threatens cash flow,...
Lego Reseller Bricks & Minifigs Rapidly Doubles Store Count to 300 Locations
Bricks & Minifigs, an authorized Lego reseller, opened its 300th store in 2025, doubling its footprint after adding 150 locations since 2023. The chain now spans the United States, two Canadian sites, and has secured authorization to sell in Australia. Revenue...
Autonomous Organization Workflows: Decreasing Manual Work in 2026
In 2026 businesses of all sizes are turning to autonomous workflows to eliminate repetitive manual tasks. Cloud‑based POS platforms like Epos Now automate sales recording, inventory tracking, and reporting, delivering real‑time data across locations. The article outlines how these systems free...
B2B Sellers Rewire Operations as Ecommerce and EDI Converge
B2B manufacturers and distributors are stitching ecommerce platforms together with EDI networks and ERP systems to create a single, real‑time order‑processing fabric. The integration delivers consumer‑grade self‑service—contract pricing, live inventory, shipment tracking—while automatically converting online orders into standardized EDI documents...
Why CFOs Are Letting AI Agents Touch Their Cash — Carefully
AI‑driven agentic treasury systems are moving from prediction to execution, allowing CFOs to automatically sweep excess cash into short‑term instruments under predefined rules. Major vendors such as Oracle, SAP and Bottomline are embedding these agents into core finance platforms, and...
Bed Bath & Beyond’s Latest Move: Buying Blockchain Platform Tokens.com
Bed Bath & Beyond announced the acquisition of blockchain investing platform Tokens.com, aiming to launch a unified investment and personal‑finance hub for homeowners by July 1, 2026. The move aligns with CEO Marcus Lemonis’s strategy to create an integrated home ecosystem that...
Target’s 30 Store Openings This Year Will Run to Larger Sizes
Target announced it will open 30 new stores in 2026, including seven this spring that exceed its typical 125,000‑sq ft footprint. Five of the spring openings range from 148,000 to 150,000 sq ft, while two are smaller at 40,000 and 110,000 sq ft. The retailer...
U.S. Bank Debuts Small Business-Focused Visa Card
U.S. Bank launched the Business Shield Visa Card, a credit product aimed at small‑business owners. The card offers a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers and integrates a spend‑management platform that automates expense controls, accounting, and receipt capture....
Product Subscriptions Used by 23% of German Online Shoppers
A Bitkom survey of over 1,000 Germans finds 23% use product subscriptions, averaging three each. Subscriptions cover essentials like razor blades, shampoo, flowers and surprise boxes. The market still has room to grow, as roughly 75% of shoppers lack any...
Bol Builds External Fulfillment Network
Dutch e‑commerce platform Bol announced the creation of an external third‑party logistics (3PL) ecosystem for its marketplace sellers. The initiative will let all 45,000 partners, currently limited to Bol’s own “Logistics via Bol,” outsource warehousing and order processing to vetted...
Chrome Ad Blocker Caught Hijacking Amazon Affiliate Links
A Chrome extension called Amazon Ads Blocker, marketed as an ad‑hider, was found to silently replace creator affiliate tags on Amazon product links with its own identifier (10xprofit‑20). Socket researchers discovered the extension injects the tag on page load and...
OPINION: Retail Subscriptions Need to Take a Leaf Out of the Digital Playbook
Retail subscriptions are the only vertical experiencing a decline, even as the broader subscription economy grew 8.3% year‑over‑year in 2026. Guy Meyers of Recurly highlights that consumers want flexibility, with 38% more likely to pause than cancel, and value pricing...
Urban Outfitters and Dreams Under Fire for Using Gig Economy App
Urban Outfitters and Dreams have been criticized for using the gig‑economy app Temper to staff retail and delivery roles, with some workers earning below the UK minimum wage after fees. The TUC argues the model creates bogus self‑employment, denying basic...
Valentine’s Day Spending Projected to Be Record-Setting
The National Retail Federation forecasts Valentine’s Day spending to hit a record $29.1 billion, surpassing the 2025 high of $27.5 billion. Average shoppers plan to spend $199.78 on gifts, up from $188.81 last year. The holiday’s reach is widening, with 55% of...
Custom Channels Intros In-Store Engagement Platform
Custom Channels has launched a unified in‑store engagement platform that links audio promotions with digital signage and loyalty applications, aiming to influence purchase decisions at the point of sale. The solution moves music from background ambience to a data‑driven communication...
UK Ecommerce Growth in Q4 2025 Driven by Category-Specific Demand
UK ecommerce in Q4 2025 grew 17% YoY, driven by strong pet‑care (+35.2%) and beauty (+10.3%) shipments, while fashion and homewares fell sharply. Expedited delivery dominated premium categories, with 92% of beauty orders using Express or Next‑Day services. Overall parcel volume...
Small Operational Gains, Big Impact: Building Fulfillment Agility
Retailers seeking fulfillment agility are shifting from massive overhauls to incremental improvements. A GXO and Retail Dive survey of 150 brand and retail leaders highlights five focus areas—inventory optimization, flexible workforce, purpose‑driven technology, cross‑functional decision‑making, and strategic 3PL partnerships. Small,...
Faire Teams up with Spring Fair to Launch National Survey
Faire and Spring Fair have launched the "Voices of Retail" campaign, a national survey inviting UK independent retailers to share insights via a five‑minute questionnaire available at the Spring Fair exhibition and online. The survey runs until 2 March 2026 and will...
Dusk’s Record December Marks Strong End to 2025
Dusk, the Yorkshire‑born online furniture and homewares retailer, posted a nine‑month revenue of £140.9 million, up 26% year‑on‑year, and recorded its strongest December profitability following a robust Black Friday. The full‑year 2025 results showed a 56% revenue surge, driven by a...
CFOs Say Cash Visibility Matters More Than Capital Access
The 2025‑2026 Growth Corporates Working Capital Index shows North American mid‑market CFOs now value cash‑flow visibility more than sheer access to capital. Firms with $50 million‑$1 billion in revenue report that clear forecasting reduces surprise financing and enables strategic use of working...
Sephora UK Gears up for Belfast Opening
Sephora UK announced the opening of its 13th UK store in Belfast on 12 February 2026, occupying a 2,550 sq ft space at Victoria Square. The launch will feature the brand’s own Sephora Collection alongside exclusive “Only At Sephora” labels and a roster of...
Primark Launches New Youth-Focused Label
Primark has introduced a new youth‑focused label called The Primark Scene, aimed at Gen Z shoppers who feel underserved by traditional kids’ ranges and adult fashion. The line, shaped over an 18‑month research period with direct input from teenagers, features low‑rise...
Zucora and HealthGuard Expand Retail Partnership in Canada
Zucora and HealthGuard have deepened their Canadian retail partnership by launching the SmartOne Sleep Plan, a 10‑year protection program for mattresses and adjustable bases. The new bundle pairs the plan with a complimentary HealthGuard mattress protector and a Zucora mattress...
Exclusive: Mac and Depop Are Teaming up to Convert Gen Z to Buy Lipstick
Estée Lauder’s MAC brand is launching a first‑ever beauty partnership with resale platform Depop to tap Gen‑Z shoppers. The collaboration features influencers Jordyn Woods and Leah Kateb curating wardrobes, with each purchase rewarding buyers a MAC lipstick and custom Depop...
What C-Suite Additions and New Board Members at Walmart, Target Signal About Their Priorities
Walmart announced a sweeping C‑suite overhaul, moving growth, e‑commerce, and merchandising leaders into roles that centralize its global platforms and accelerate AI‑driven capabilities. New CEO John Furner highlighted the need for shared technology infrastructure to stay ahead of Amazon’s AI...