Today's Retail Pulse
Fresho acquires Nation Wilcox to dominate UK food‑wholesaler software
Fresho, the Australian‑origin order‑management platform, bought UK ERP specialist Nation Wilcox, creating the largest software suite for British food wholesalers. The combined offering now serves more than 400 wholesalers and processes over £2 billion (≈$2.5 billion) in annual GMV.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Spinny targets $250-300M in its upcoming IPO
SQUID Launches Wave Points, Ireland’s First Universal Local Rewards System
SQUID, Ireland’s leading loyalty platform, has launched Wave Points, the country’s first universal local rewards system. The new scheme lets shoppers earn points from everyday purchases and redeem them at any participating local business, breaking the traditional single‑brand loyalty model. With more than 50,000 pre‑launch sign‑ups, the initiative targets consumers squeezed by a 3.6% rise in inflation. SQUID now serves nearly one million members and aims to keep spending power circulating within Irish communities.
AI Can Discover and Execute Tasks You Never Imagined
Everyone uses AI the same way. That was me until a few weeks ago. You open a window, type what you need, and it gives you something back. That's useful, but it has a ceiling most people don't realize: you can...
'Taste' Sensation: GSD&M Promotes Mateo's Salsa As Farm Fresh
GSD&M unveiled the “Farmer’s Market Fresh Taste” campaign for Texas‑based Mateo’s Salsa, featuring two 15‑second television spots and six‑second social cutdowns. The integrated effort runs across OLV, CTV, social platforms and retail media networks, targeting millennials and Gen X. The creative...
Beyond Yellow Tags: How Grocers Are Evolving From Traditional Discount Strategies
Supermarkets are shifting from traditional high‑low pricing and simple loyalty perks toward richer value communication. Grocers are narrowing the value gap with discounters by emphasizing health, affordability, and technology such as electronic shelf labels. Case studies include Giant Food’s health‑affordability...
What 301 CPG Brands Reveal About People Inc.'s INVERSION Bet
An analysis of 301 consumer‑packaged‑goods (CPG) brands shows that every billion‑dollar breakout, aside from MrBeast’s Feastables, was founded between 2015 and 2019. Brands like Olipop, Liquid Death, Alani Nu and Chomps achieved valuations from $500 million to $1.85 billion within five years....
Coca-Cola to Funfetti: Food Brands Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Limited-Edition Products
Food brands are rolling out patriotic products ahead of the United States’ 250th birthday in July 2026. Coca‑Cola unveiled limited‑edition America250 bottles and state‑specific mini‑cans, while Talking Rain’s Sparkling Ice teamed with Flavor Flav to launch a red‑white‑blue Life Savers sparkling water. Pillsbury...
Lidl Launches Self-Checkout Using Smartphones and AI-Powered Scales in Luxembourg
Lidl has begun testing its Scan&Go service in three Luxembourg stores, letting shoppers scan items with the Lidl Plus app and use AI‑enabled scales to identify produce. The smart scales display the product, allow confirmation, and print a barcode for...
Small Online Stores in Germany See Revenues Decrease
Uptain’s 2026 E‑Commerce Market Study shows German online retail is consolidating. Since Q3 2023 the median online revenue fell 22% to €11,305 (about $12,200), while stores generating over €1 million annually grew 7.6% and those under €50,000 shrank 12.3%. The shift is...
Ahold Delhaize Expands Partnership with Uber Eats in the U.S.
U.S. supermarket chains owned by Ahold Delhaize—Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford and Stop & Shop—have expanded their presence on Uber Eats to nearly 2,000 locations. Shoppers can order directly through the Uber Eats app with free delivery for Uber One...
Pizza Express Enters the QSR Market with Brixton Opening
Pizza Express opened its first quick‑service restaurant in Brixton, replacing full table service with self‑ordering kiosks and a streamlined menu. The site, built on a former LEON location, offers dine‑in, takeaway and delivery and features dynamic lighting that shifts from...
Brands Briefing: Anthropologie’s Weddings Business Has Become a Powerful Customer Acquisition Engine
Anthropologie entered the wedding market in 2011, but its bridal segment has exploded in the last two years as brides seek coordinated outfits for every ceremony moment. Chief merchandising officer Holly Thrasher says the business is growing "exponentially," turning weddings...
Higher Gas Costs Divert $24B From Retail Spending
That $24 Bil spent on higher gas prices is money that consumers do not spend on retail e-commerce and in stores. How do you direct supply chains?
Shopify’s Valuation Crisis Creates Opportunity in 2026
Shopify’s stock remains under pressure despite a strong Q1, trading at more than 120 times trailing earnings. Revenue surged 34.3% year‑over‑year, while operating income jumped 88%, underscoring robust top‑line momentum. The company is leveraging two decades of e‑commerce data to...
Walmart and Aldi Recall Seven Frozen Pizza and Snack Products Over Salmonella Risk
Walmart and Aldi have withdrawn seven frozen pizza and pork‑rind items after the U.S. Department of Agriculture warned that a dry‑milk powder ingredient may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall, announced on April 30 and expanded on May 1, affects Great Value,...
LVMH Plans to Sell Marc Jacobs, Fenty Beauty, and More
LVMH is exploring the sale of several subsidiaries, including fashion label Marc Jacobs, cosmetics brand Fenty Beauty, and a high‑end winery. The move would represent one of the biggest restructuring efforts in the French luxury group’s history. It follows a...
SmartCommerce Appoints Anj Yamsani CTO to Drive AI‑Powered Commerce Platform
SmartCommerce announced the appointment of veteran technologist Anj Yamsani as chief technology officer. Yamsani will steer the company’s AI‑native roadmap, building on a platform that already moves more than $15 billion of products into retailer carts each year. The hire signals...
Whataburger Launches Kids Whatameal to Take on McDonald's Happy Meal
Whataburger introduced the Kids Whatameal across its 1,100-plus locations on May 5, pricing the meals between $3.89 and $6.49. The new offering features interactive orange‑and‑white packaging, rotating collectible toys and a menu of kid‑friendly entrees, positioning the chain to compete directly...
ThredUp Q1 Revenue Jumps 14.6% to $81.7 M on Record Buyer Gains
ThredUp posted first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $81.7 million, up 14.6% year over year, as new‑buyer acquisition and marketing efficiencies lifted active buyers 25% and orders 19.3%. The growth came with a slight dip in average selling price and a 190‑basis‑point decline...
How Digital Humans Are Transforming Frontline Retail Training
Retailers are adopting emotionally intelligent digital humans—AI‑powered avatars that read tone and display realistic facial cues—to overhaul frontline associate training. These simulations replace static videos with immersive, unscripted conversations, allowing employees to practice handling upset customers, price objections, and complex...
SumUp: UK Treat Economy Keeping Independent Businesses Alive
SumUp’s survey of 2,000 UK residents shows 72% view a monthly “little treat” as essential to wellbeing, with coffee shop drinks (32%) and dining out (29%) topping the list. Nearly a third would sacrifice groceries for these treats, and 31%...
Chunk Foods Lands Whole Foods Listing in Northeast US, with Nationwide Rollout Set for June
Chunk Foods announced that its steak, pulled‑meat and new Moroccan Cubes plant‑based products have secured shelf space at Whole Foods Market locations across the Northeast United States. The Moroccan Cubes deliver 19 grams of protein per serving. The company, which uses...
Natural Grocers Honors Moms with Thoughtful Savings and Simple Joys During May
Natural Grocers is celebrating Mother’s Day from May 8‑10 with a series of in‑store savings, free gifts, and experiential promotions across its 170 locations in 21 states. Loyalty‑program members ({N}power) can enjoy discounts up to 48% on popular items, a 26%...
A Store Is a System. Most Aren’t Built That Way
Retailers are increasingly treating stores as modular systems, but many still develop brand, merchandising, and physical layout in isolation. Target’s “Edit” concept illustrates how a repeatable system can streamline the shopper journey, yet scaling it exposes any execution flaws, turning...
Build a Brand Like Trader Joe’s: Why Human Interaction Still Drives Customer Loyalty
Trader Joe’s has built a cult‑following by turning everyday grocery trips into personal experiences. The chain relies on friendly staff who greet shoppers by name, frequent in‑store tastings, and a rotating roster of quirky, limited‑time products. Community events and empowered employees...
How to Use AI to Grow Your Business on Social Media in 2026
In this episode, Gary Vaynerchuk and his guest discuss how AI is becoming as essential as electricity for small business owners, using the example of dog trainers who want to boost their social‑media presence. They outline practical AI tools—like Runway...
Embed Announces Integration with Square POS
Embed, a global provider of point‑of‑sale and revenue‑management solutions, has launched an integration with Square POS. The new link lets family entertainment centres and attractions sell Embed cashless cards directly through the Square interface, eliminating the need for separate systems....
PG Tips Ties with Disney+ for “Rivals” Exclusive Limited-Edition Monkey Competition to Drive Shopper Engagement
PG Tips has partnered with Disney+ to launch a limited‑edition "Rivals" promotion that runs nationwide from May 1. Shoppers who buy a PG Tips pack can scan a QR code and enter a 10‑digit code for a chance to win one...
Primark Suits up the Stars for Soccer Aid for UNICEF’s 20th Anniversary
Primark is back as the official outfitter for Soccer Aid’s 20th‑anniversary match at London Stadium, dressing celebrities and football legends in its new tailoring range. From 1 May to match day, UK stores will collect £1‑plus donations at tills, and the...
INTERSPORT Launches 2026 Global Brand Campaign
INTERSPORT has unveiled its 2026 global brand campaign, "YOUR PASSION. YOUR PLACE. MAKE IT YOUR GAME," positioning the retailer as the common ground for athletes of all levels. The campaign features four high‑profile footballers—Joshua Kimmich, Frenkie De Jong, Bradley Barcola and Sandy Baltimore—backed by...
Boglioli Opens First-Ever UK Store in London
Italian luxury tailoring house Boglioli opened its first standalone UK flagship, a 1,875‑sq‑ft boutique at 76 New Bond Street in London. The store joins existing boutiques in Milan and New York and precedes a shop‑in‑shop at Harvey Nichols later this...
Watch It. Love It. Want It. How TikTok Is Blending Discovery, Connection and Commerce
TikTok unveiled its new global positioning, “Watch it. Love it. Want it.”, at the OMR Festival, emphasizing the seamless blend of discovery, connection, and commerce on the platform. Research from Ipsos shows TikTok is the most influential channel during the...
Stop & Shop Expands Grocery Delivery With Uber Eats
Stop & Shop has partnered with Uber Eats to launch on‑demand grocery delivery across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. More than 350 stores are now live on the Uber Eats marketplace, offering same‑day delivery of fresh...
Lidl Plus Points Ramps up UK Grocery Loyalty Push – but Shoppers Divided on New Scheme
Lidl has launched Lidl Plus Points, a new loyalty program that awards one point per £1 spent and lets shoppers redeem points for vouchers or discounted items via its app. To jump‑start adoption, the retailer is gifting 100 free points...
Supermarket Challenger Upfront Opens Its Second Location
Dutch startup Upfront is opening its second Rotterdam store on June 6, expanding from the original Van Nelle location that now generates roughly $162,000 in weekly sales. The new outlet is three times larger, offers twice as many checkout lanes, and...
How Californian Grocer Stater Bros. Shines a Light on the Future of In-Store Retail Media Globally
Stater Bros., the largest privately owned grocery chain in Southern California, has partnered with In‑Store Marketplace (ISM) and Mood Media to launch a programmatic in‑store audio advertising platform, with digital screens slated for later rollout. The solution uses ISM’s centralised...
Fireworks Retailers Brace for Record Fourth of July Sales Amid Safety Concerns
Phantom Fireworks, the nation’s largest firework chain, says it is on track for its "greatest sales ever" ahead of the Fourth of July, prompting retailers to adjust pricing, inventory and outbound outreach. At the same time, fire officials warn that...
Flipkart’s Summer Sale Campaign Finds Its Match in Kodinhi — India’s Twin Town
Flipkart has launched the second edition of its flagship SASA LELE summer sale with a new creative titled “Kodinhi Code.” The campaign, developed by agency 22feet, uses the Kerala village of Kodinhi—famous for its high twin birth rate—as a metaphor...
Singapore Retail Sales Jump 4.8% in March, Driven by Vehicles and Tech
Singapore's Department of Statistics reported a 4.8% year‑on‑year rise in March retail sales, reaching S$4.7 billion (US$3.68 billion). Growth was led by motor vehicles, recreational goods and electronics, even as food, alcohol and department stores posted declines.
Generative Engine Marketing: Retail Media’s Next Move
Generative Engine Marketing (GEM) is emerging as a new approach that positions brands to be discovered by AI models rather than just human shoppers. Jellyfish’s report highlights early successes, such as Gentle Monster’s 17% click‑through‑rate lift and MSC Industrial’s 45%...
Hugo Boss Q1 Sales Slide on Strategic Realignment, Weak Consumer Sentiment
Hugo Boss reported a decline in first‑quarter 2026 sales as weak consumer sentiment and the rollout of its strategic realignment program weighed on results. The German luxury apparel maker cited slower demand across its core menswear and womenswear lines. While revenue...
How Tariffs and Volatility Are Impacting Consumer Trust and Brand Loyalty in Retail
Retailers are confronting tariff‑driven price hikes and volatile consumer confidence, with 50% of Americans blaming tariffs for higher everyday costs. A 2025 o9 survey shows spending declines in clothing, groceries and electronics, shifting demand toward value and convenience. To stay...
How to Use HubSpot Marketing Hub for Print-on-Demand in 2026
HubSpot Marketing Hub lets print‑on‑demand (POD) sellers unify Shopify or WooCommerce stores with print providers such as Printful, automating cart recovery, reorder nudges and AI‑generated messages. The guide walks users through a free CRM setup, connecting the store and print...
Amazon Is Making a New Attempt to Break Into the British Grocery Market
Amazon is intensifying its push into the UK grocery market by seeking closer partnerships with British food and beverage suppliers. After shutting its Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores last year, the company is now focusing on expanding its online...
From Nike to Salomon, Browse This Week’s Best Sneaker Releases
Highsnobiety’s weekly guide spotlights seven fresh sneaker drops, ranging from ASICS’s architecturally‑inspired Gel‑Kinetic 2.0 to Nike’s collaborative Air Max 1000.2 and Patta‑styled Mercurial Zoom Vapor 16 SE. Salomon makes a subtle entry into everyday fashion with the X‑ALP Woven, while...
Brand Events up 54pc Since 2019: Launchmetrics
Launchmetrics reports that luxury brand events have surged 54% since 2019, signaling a strong return to offline, experience‑driven marketing. The growth is driven by high‑profile activations such as Veuve Clicquot’s Caffè at Milan Design Week and similar pop‑ups in New...
Colruyt Group Opens Its 25th Okay City Urban Store in Belgium
Colruyt Group opened its 25th Okay City urban store in Antwerp on May 6, marking the seventh location in the city and 25th across Belgium. The 400‑square‑meter shop offers a full range of groceries, fresh produce, ready‑to‑eat meals and coffee, targeting...
Wayfair Posts Fourth Consecutive Quarter of Revenue Growth Despite Macro Headwinds
Wayfair posted $2.93 billion in net revenue for Q1 2026, a 7.4% year‑over‑year increase and a beat of the $2.89 billion consensus. The growth was driven by a 7.5% rise in U.S. sales, modest international gains, and higher spend per active customer. Adjusted...
Airtel Zambia Opens 5 New Shops
Airtel Zambia announced the simultaneous launch of five new retail shops, including the Woodlands outlet in Lusaka. The rollout is part of a nationwide expansion aimed at strengthening the carrier’s physical footprint. By adding more face‑to‑face locations, Airtel seeks to...
British Land Plans to Expand Glasgow Fort with Scotland’s Largest M&S
British Land announced a major expansion of the Glasgow Fort shopping centre, adding Scotland’s largest Marks & Spencer store. The development will also introduce a suite of leisure facilities, creating the UK’s biggest combined retail‑leisure project since the pre‑COVID era....
Kinton Ramen Introduces 1st Food Court Concept at Waterfront Centre Vancouver
Kinton Ramen launched its first food‑court concept at Waterfront Centre in downtown Vancouver, a 350‑500 sq ft quick‑service format that delivers the brand’s signature ramen in a faster, more convenient setting. The location is the chain’s 12th in British Columbia and the...