Expressions Gift Card Kiosks Bring Personalization to Retail Gifting
Expressions Gift Card Kiosk merges personalized greeting cards with instant digital gift cards, printing on glossy stock in under 41 seconds. The self‑service unit occupies just four square feet, replacing traditional 20‑60‑foot aisles and reducing inventory valued up to $40,000 per store. With over 8,000 templates and QR‑code integration, the kiosk addresses gift‑card fraud and offers retailers a revenue‑share or licensing model. Currently in roughly 300 locations, the company projects triple‑digit growth over the next five years.
More Consumers Using AI Tools but Still Lots of Mistrust
U.S. consumers are rapidly embracing AI, with 71% reporting usage and 37% engaging daily or several times a week, according to Numerator’s survey of over 5,000 adults. Frequent users are predominantly high‑income, urban Gen Z and Millennials, while non‑users skew low‑income...
The Hidden Risks Behind Retail's AI Shopping Boom
AI shopping assistants drove $67 billion in Cyber Week 2025 sales, representing one in five digital purchases. However, 82 % of AI failures are hallucinations—confidently wrong answers that erode trust. Traditional QA misses these errors because it tests ideal scenarios, not real‑world shopper...
Reputation at Checkout: How Predictive AI Helps Retailers Maintain Trust in a Crisis
Predictive AI is reshaping retail crisis management by spotting sentiment shifts and anomalies before they explode online. Retailers that reply within an hour are 85% more likely to keep consumer trust, while delays can cost billions, as seen with United...
Amazon Website, App Glitch Impacts Online Customers
Amazon’s website and mobile app experienced a six‑hour outage on March 6, 2026, after a software code deployment went awry. The disruption prevented customers from accessing product pages, checking out, and viewing account information, prompting more than 20,000 issue reports. Amazon’s...
Why Retailers Must Secure Transactional Emails to Combat Scam Threats
Retailers face rising fraud as scammers target transactional emails, with 85% of U.S. adults expressing concern and one in four having experienced a scam. Each consumer receives about 121 emails daily, making order confirmations and shipping notices prime phishing vectors....
For Loyal Amazon Customers It’s No Longer Love but Intentional Reflex
GWI’s latest research shows Amazon has become the favorite retailer for 52% of U.S. consumers, shifting loyalty from an emotional choice to a reflexive habit. Shoppers value frictionless experiences, with 59% prioritizing quick, easy checkout and a third demanding next‑day...
True Beauty Lashes Taps Perfect Corp. For Personalized Lash Recommendation
True Beauty Lashes has partnered with Perfect Corp. to launch LashLovr, an AI‑driven personalized lash‑matching and virtual try‑on platform. The service uses Perfect Corp.’s Virtual Try‑On and Face Analyzer APIs to overlay recommended lashes on a shopper’s face in real...
Consumers Spending More Time to Find Best Price
Synchrony’s March 2026 "In Sync with Consumers" survey shows more than half of U.S. shoppers are devoting extra time to locate the best price, with generative AI playing an expanding role. Over 52% of consumers used Gen AI during the holiday...
Cheaper Retail Prices Unlikely Despite Tariff Ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Feb. 20 that the Trump administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose broad tariffs was unconstitutional. Within hours, the administration invoked a different legal tool to impose a 15% tariff, later...
Love’s Travel Stops Enhances Rewards Loyalty Program
Love’s Travel Stops has revamped its loyalty program, now letting all drivers earn and redeem points on fuel and in‑store purchases across its 608 shops and 62 country stores. The unified Love’s Rewards program is accessed through an updated mobile...
Rakuten Ichiba, Google Team on YouTube Shopping Experience
Rakuten Ichiba has become the inaugural Japanese partner in Google’s YouTube Shopping affiliate program, allowing shoppers to purchase marketplace items directly from YouTube videos. When viewers tap the “View Products” overlay, product names, prices, and a link to the Rakuten...
The Hidden Customer Experience Cost of Returns: Why Apparel Brands Must Rethink Reverse Logistics
Apparel brands are recognizing that returns have become a pivotal customer‑experience moment rather than a hidden back‑office cost. Over 80% of shoppers say return policies influence purchase decisions, and slow, opaque refunds erode trust and repeat‑purchase intent. Reverse‑logistics delays have...
Screenverse Leaders Share Insight on DOOH Buying Strategy
Screenverse executives David Weinfeld and Montana Accavallo discussed premium buyer expectations on the CX Innovators podcast, highlighting how data‑driven demands are reshaping digital‑out‑of‑home (DOOH) buying. They explained that integration of supply‑side and demand‑side platforms is crucial for securing repeat, high‑value...
National Retail Solutions (NRS) Named Official POS Provider for Krauszer’s Food Stores as Legendary Chain Targets Nationwide Expansion
National Retail Solutions (NRS) has been chosen as the official point‑of‑sale provider for Krauszer’s Food Stores, a historic New Jersey convenience‑store chain with more than 300 locations. The partnership will roll out NRS’s integrated POS platform across all existing stores and...
Why CX Outcomes, Not Price Cuts, Will Drive Retail Growth in 2026
Retailers face a slowdown in consumer spending, with S&P Global projecting just 2.0% growth in 2026. The article argues that price cuts provide only short‑term sales boosts while eroding margins and brand equity. Instead, it positions customer experience (CX) as...
LaunderPay POS Solution Integrates Epson Thermal Receipt Printers
Epson announced that its m‑Series thermal receipt printers are now embedded in LaunderPay's all‑in‑one laundry POS platform, targeting wash‑and‑fold, delivery and dry‑cleaning operators. The integration delivers compact, high‑performance printing for receipts and bag tags while offering customizable receipt length to...
Do It Best Stores Replaces Spreadsheets with No-Code Database and Reaps Rewards
Do It Best, a global home‑improvement retailer, replaced its sprawling spreadsheet system with Ragic’s no‑code online database. The shift eliminated manual data merges, cut reliance on the IT department, and allowed the design team to build and modify applications themselves....
E-Commerce Orders Enjoyed Big Jump in 2025
U.S. e‑commerce orders surged 147% year‑over‑year in 2025, driven primarily by the top 5% of brands. Shoppers interacted less with marketing but showed markedly higher intent, with promotion clicks 51% more likely to convert and average spend per order climbing...
Minky Couture Selects Domo AI, Data Products Platform to Boost Operational Visibility
Minky Couture, the Utah‑based luxury blanket retailer, has chosen Domo’s AI and Data Products Platform to unify data across inventory, supply chain, marketing, finance, and store operations. The platform will enable governed data products that deliver near real‑time performance tracking,...
Eddie Bauer Files for Bankruptcy
Eddie Bauer announced a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in the District of New Jersey, attributing the move to a consumer shift toward online shopping, persistent inflation and higher tariffs. The filing, the company’s third, outlines a plan to sell some...
National Retail Solutions Attains BBB Accreditation, A+ Rating
National Retail Solutions (NRS) has earned Better Business Bureau accreditation with the top‑tier A+ rating. The accolade follows a company‑wide initiative to improve customer service and streamline merchant issue resolution. NRS, a subsidiary of IDT Corporation, provides integrated POS and...
Your Digital Marketing Strategy Is only as Good as Your Worst Touchpoint
As customer acquisition costs climb and competition intensifies, marketers are realizing that a digital strategy is only as strong as its weakest touchpoint. Inconsistent experiences across channels can erode conversion rates and inflate spend. By systematically identifying and reinforcing the...
How Self-Service Operators Win by Automating Through Curation
At the 2025 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show, Forward Thinkers founder Josh Rosenberg highlighted the growing pains facing self‑service operators, from fragmented data to costly integration projects. He argued that indiscriminate automation often backfires, urging operators to adopt a...
AI Assistant Use Doubles as More Shoppers Tap AI to Handle Buying Process
U.S. shoppers are rapidly embracing AI assistants, with usage climbing to 35% in 2026—more than double the 12% share recorded in 2024. Over half of consumers now say they would let an AI handle the entire purchase journey, moving the...
Newland AIDC North America CEO Talks Scanning Innovations
At NRF 2026, Newland AIDC North America CEO Roy Chen outlined the company’s expanding portfolio of scanning solutions, ranging from mounted and kiosk units to handheld and wearable devices. He emphasized how these technologies streamline store operations, accelerate checkout, and...
Swipe Fees Could Cost Consumers $683M on Valentine’s Day
Nift Taps John McNerney as GM APAC
Star Micronics Leader Demos SDK for Web Capability
Star Micronics showcased its new Star Expand SDK for web at NRF 2026, with product director Jon Levin leading the demo. The SDK, co‑engineered with Google’s Chrome team, lets developers control Star printers directly from web applications using standard JavaScript...
Aldi Marks a Big Anniversary with Lots of Store Openings
Aldi celebrates its 50th U.S. anniversary by unveiling an aggressive expansion plan, targeting more than 180 new stores across 31 states in 2026. The retailer aims to reach nearly 2,800 locations by year‑end and has a five‑year Colorado strategy that...
ATEC America VP Details C3L Cash Recycler Capabilities
ATEC America’s Vice President Ryan Loebs showcased the C3L Compact Cash Recycler at NRF 2026, emphasizing its multi‑function capabilities beyond a traditional ATM. Despite its small footprint, the device delivers high‑speed cash dispensing, deposit, and recycling, positioning it as a...
Retail’s Big Reset: Why 2026 Will Separate Brands that Execute From Brands that Just Plan
The article argues that retail success in 2026 will be defined by flawless execution rather than elaborate planning. Tight budgets, leaner teams and faster‑moving customer expectations force brands to gain real‑time visibility into store‑level actions. Companies that close the gap...
Crypto Going Mainstream Among US Merchants
According to a PayPal and National Cryptocurrency Association survey, 39% of U.S. merchants now accept cryptocurrency at checkout, and 84% anticipate it becoming commonplace within five years. Customer demand is a primary driver, with 88% of merchants reporting inquiries about...
Marketing Email Campaigns Reflected Tariffs, TikTok Trends in 2025
Omnisend’s 2025 analysis shows that three‑quarters of marketing email campaigns referenced tariffs or broader trade‑policy news, underscoring how supply‑chain costs dominate brand messaging. Thirteen percent of those emails highlighted “Made in USA” to reassure shoppers about product origin and pricing...
Plustek eScan Scanner Speeds Auto Dealership's Digital Transformation.
Plustek’s eScan document scanner is accelerating the digital transformation of Lynch Family auto dealerships. The hardware’s plug‑and‑play design eliminated the need for employee training, while built‑in remote management cut IT installation and support costs. Integrated directly with the dealership’s Docuware...
Self-Service Reshaping Retail in Australia
A recent IDC study, sponsored by Diebold Nixdorf, shows that over two‑thirds of Australian shoppers prefer self‑checkout, especially when alone or in a hurry. However, checkout delays, trust concerns, and rigid systems frustrate many consumers. Retailers are responding by investing in...
The Potential Impact of Walmart's ChatGPT Shopping Strategy
Walmart has teamed with OpenAI to let Sam’s Club members shop and checkout directly inside ChatGPT, extending its Sparky AI assistant to a conversational platform. The move follows similar AI‑shopping collaborations by Shopify, Etsy, Amazon and Target, signaling a broader...
URway Holdings Details AI Connect Bar Capabilities
URway Holdings introduced its AI Connect Bar, a unified communications platform that harnesses conversational voice AI. The solution was demonstrated at the NRF 2026 Retail’s Big Show, highlighting its potential for contact centers. Chief engagement officer Ed Crowley and CRO...
Why Small Retailers Are Ditching Tablets for Dedicated POS Terminals
Small retailers are replacing consumer tablets with purpose‑built POS terminals due to frequent downtime, durability issues, hidden costs, and security challenges. Internal analysis of over 10,000 merchants shows staff satisfaction rising, hardware replacements falling 41 %, and transaction completion improving after...
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...
Creative Realities Shares Insight on Drive-Thru Tech, Acquisition, Adtech Stack Innovation
Creative Realities announced several strategic moves at NRF 2026, including the launch of its Digital Drive‑Thru 2.0 modular menu‑board system. The company also revealed details of its AI‑powered adtech stack that unifies content management across digital signage. Additionally, Creative Realities confirmed...
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...
Amazon Slicing 16K Jobs in Re-Organizational Strategy
Amazon announced it will eliminate approximately 16,000 positions worldwide as part of a re‑organizational effort that began in October 2025. The cuts aim to reduce hierarchical layers, increase ownership, and cut bureaucracy across the company. Affected U.S. employees receive up to...
NICE Strategy Leader Talks Agentic AI, Retail Industry Trends
At NRF 2026, Tom Yang, head of sales strategy and transformation at NICE, highlighted the rise of agentic AI in retail customer experience. He explained how NICE’s purpose‑built, AI‑powered platforms turn engagements into proactive, safe, and intelligent actions, enabling retailers...
Levi Strauss, Walmart, Amazon Lead Brand Keys Loyalty Index
The 28th annual Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index (CLEI) identifies Levi Strauss, Walmart and Amazon as the top loyalty leaders for 2026, alongside sector champions such as Dick’s, Costco and Whole Foods. The study highlights a rapid rise in...
Most Consumers Can Identify AI Videos
According to Animoto’s 2026 State of Video Report, 83% of consumers say they can identify AI‑generated videos, and they perceive such content as diminishing brand trust. The study found that robotic gestures, unnatural voices, and lack of emotional tone are...
Shenzhen Shares Product Details, Technology Vision
At NRF 2026, Shenzhen’s sales director Tiffany Tian unveiled a suite of technology solutions aimed at modernizing retail and restaurant experiences. The portfolio includes AI‑powered kiosks, modular hardware, and immersive AR/VR tools designed for the North American market. Tian highlighted...
5 Trends Impacting the In-Store Experience
Retailers are reshaping physical stores by integrating natural, biomorphic elements and eliminating digital screens. The Look Company’s 2026 report highlights a shift toward modular backdrops, personalized experiences, and smarter space utilization. Major chains such as Walmart and Lululemon are piloting...
Amazon Chief: Tariff Costs Creeping Into Prices
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told CNBC that tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump since early 2025 are beginning to show up in Amazon’s product prices. The retailer had urged third‑party sellers to stock up on inventory ahead of the duties,...
What Recession Pop Reveals About the Psychology of Nostalgia
The resurgence of “recession pop” sees millennials and older Gen Z gravitating toward late‑2000s music, fashion and media as a comfort amid economic volatility. Marketers are recognizing nostalgia not just as a creative hook but as a measurable audience signal that...