REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton on How the Co-Op Is Changing, Ecommerce and AI
REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton outlined the three‑year Peak 28 transformation at NRF 2026, emphasizing culture, product relevance, service, and a revamped membership program. She detailed how AI will augment, not replace, the brand’s human expertise, adding employee‑generated content to boost online conversions. Laughton announced the relaunch of REI’s travel offering through a partnership with Intrepid, shifting to a lighter‑weight model after the earlier Experiences shutdown. Drawing on her Nike, Sephora and Athleta background, she stressed customer‑centricity and emotional loyalty as keys to future growth.
AI in Luxury: Why LVMH Won’t Let AI Eclipse Humanity or Creativity
LVMH is embedding AI across its 75 maisons, positioning the technology as a catalyst for human creativity rather than a replacement. The group’s “AI for All” initiative equips every employee with generative tools while each brand retains its unique DNA...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...