Know What's Happening in Retail
Know What's Happening in Retail
AI start‑ups deploy virtual‑try‑on tech to slash $850 billion retail return losses
AI start‑ups such as Catches are launching virtual‑try‑on platforms that create realistic digital twins of shoppers, aiming to reduce the retail sector’s $850 billion return problem. The National Retail Federation reports that 15.8% of U.S. sales – 19.3% online – were returned in 2025, eroding margins. Generative AI and cheap cloud compute now make these tools cost‑effective.
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Australian retailers are rapidly rolling out generative AI chatbots for customer service, pricing and loyalty, but the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) warns that under Australian Consumer Law the retailer remains liable for any misleading or unsafe bot responses. Recent incidents at Woolworths and Bunnings, where chatbots gave inaccurate pricing, off‑topic chatter and even illegal DIY advice, illustrate how AI misbehavior can trigger enforcement action. Regulators are urging retailers to treat AI as a governance issue, classifying risk, enforcing human escalation for high‑stakes interactions, and adopting the voluntary AI Safety Standard. The industry must balance automation benefits with robust controls to avoid costly legal exposure.
Malaysian retailers are riding a billion‑dollar Ramadan spending wave, with total consumer outlays reaching roughly RM2.5 billion, an 8% year‑on‑year increase. Ramadan bazaars across Selangor reported record foot traffic, while high‑end hotel buffets posted a 15% revenue jump. Retailers responded with...
Chinese lifestyle retailer KKV launched its first Hong Kong outlet on Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai, marking the brand’s entry into the market. The store showcases KKV’s ‘100 Lifestyles’ concept, offering a curated mix of beauty, snack, toy, stationery,...
Abercrombie & Fitch is accelerating its Canadian footprint, announcing new stores in Winnipeg, Ottawa, Calgary and London, Ontario for 2026, while also reopening its West Edmonton Mall location. The rollout follows a record‑breaking fiscal year in which the company posted $5.27 billion in global...
Gen Z is allocating roughly 20% more of its budget to nonessential luxury items, using those purchases to craft a polished social‑media persona that doubles as a modern résumé. Recruiters now examine candidates' online footprints in 86% of hiring decisions,...
Full Beauty Brands is reviving the luxury label 11 Honoré with a 15‑piece plus‑size eveningwear capsule, targeting sizes 10‑28 and priced between $229 and $799. Academy Award‑winning actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph will front the launch as ambassador and model. The collection,...
The high‑protein trend is pushing chicken into the snack category, highlighted at Expo West where brands like Chomps and Juicybite launched chicken‑based sticks and heat‑and‑serve bites. Chomps’ new chicken sticks provide 12 g protein per 80‑calorie serving, outperforming its beef line,...
Vintage resale sellers are shifting from static listings to livestream auctions, with Whatnot emerging as a primary platform. Stephania Garcia’s Costura channel grew annual revenue from $25,000 to over $250,000 by hosting multiple weekly live shows. Whatnot’s fashion category now...
Switzerland‑based Avolta, the world’s largest travel retailer, announced the rollout of dynamic pricing after a successful European pilot. The company posted 2025 core turnover of 13.7 billion Swiss francs (about $15.2 billion), with organic growth driven by Europe, the Middle East and...
Coles announced it will close its Swaggle pet‑care platform in early April, ending a two‑year experiment in the Australian pet market. Swaggle, an online marketplace launched in Victoria and led by former Coles category manager Chad Burke, offered thousands of...
Petco Health & Wellness forecasted a return to positive same‑store sales in 2026, driven by a strategic pivot toward higher‑margin services, expanded fresh‑food offerings, and niche pet categories like tarantulas. The outlook lifted the stock 5.4% after hours, even as...
Collins Foods, the Australian operator of KFC and Taco Bell, announced the acquisition of eight KFC restaurants in Bavaria and a plan to open 45‑90 new German locations over the next four years. The deal, slated for completion by June...
Independent grocer Alap Vora of Concord Market in Brooklyn testified that he pays roughly $5 wholesale for a box of cereal, the same price big chains charge consumers. The pricing gap, driven by manufacturers’ preferential deals with large retailers, makes...
TikTok Shop charges a 6 % referral fee on most sales, plus modest withdrawal fees and tiered fulfillment costs for items using the Fulfilled‑by‑TikTok service. Advertising on the platform requires a minimum $50 daily campaign budget, while Print on Demand partners...
Retail 3.0 marks a shift from speed and spectacle to designing for real life, where accessibility becomes a system‑level discipline rather than a niche add‑on. The article argues that friction points—from parking to packaging to digital interfaces—disproportionately affect parents, older...
Amazon is set to launch its third annual Big Spring Sale in late March, a seven‑day event that mirrors Prime Day but focuses on seasonal merchandise. The sale will feature discounts up to 40% on categories such as outdoor furniture,...
Shark is slashing prices on a range of vacuums in an Amazon flash clearance, with the Rocket HV301 stick model falling from $199.99 to $99—a 50% discount. The sale also features the IX141 cordless pet vacuum at $149 (down $150)...
Circana’s new analysis shows that a data‑first pricing approach lets CPG brands replace intuition with measurable demand signals. By first reviewing promotion performance, firms can pinpoint subsidized sales and hidden inefficiencies. Elasticity measurement then reveals where price changes will affect...
McDonald’s announced a new value-focused menu that will debut in April, featuring items priced at $3 or less and $4 breakfast combos. The initiative follows a 3.6% same‑store sales dip and a 10% drop in visits from low‑ and middle‑income...
According to Reach3 Insights, 81% of Americans are willing to try new grocery brands, while 92% say they notice prices more than before. The study shows brand loyalty weakening as shoppers compare price, benefits, and reputation. Grocery trips are taking...
Target announced price reductions on more than 3,000 spring items across apparel, home, baby, food and beverage categories. Discounts range from 5% to 20% and target everyday essentials as well as on‑trend apparel. The move follows a recent quarter of...
Modern go‑to‑market teams are leveraging AI‑native CRMs to automate repetitive tasks while preserving human relationships. By integrating flexible GTM tools, companies can align sales, customer success, and product data in a single platform. Automated lead routing, interaction tracking, and call...
All six Hudson News stores at Orlando International Airport closed in February 2026, ending the retailer’s presence at the hub. The shutdown is part of a broader redesign of the airport’s retail space, echoing similar closures at Southwest Florida International...
Retail design is losing its primacy as consumers demand frictionless, instant transactions. Mobile payment habits have rewired expectations, making checkout speed a competitive advantage against both physical neighbors and digital platforms. Slow point‑of‑sale and delayed refunds now erode basket values...
Clarins has relaunched its mobile app in the United States after a successful pilot in the United Kingdom, extending the rollout to Canada, Australia, France and other markets. The app uses a hybrid native‑web architecture that leverages existing mobile site...
Birdzi introduced AskKea, a generative business intelligence assistant that lets grocery retailers ask plain‑English questions and receive decision‑ready answers, visualizations, and exportable data within minutes. The tool integrates structured and unstructured retail data, offering cross‑system insights such as category penetration,...
Rebecca Minkoff is expanding its partnership with QVC by debuting a new footwear line and a spring ready‑to‑wear collection exclusive to the network. The shoe range, sized 6‑11, includes flats, pumps, slippers and sandals priced between $29 and $150, while apparel...
Marks & Spencer has launched a dedicated clothing resale platform by partnering with eBay and technology provider Reskinned. The initiative, part of M&S’s “Another Life” circularity program, allows customers to sell pre‑owned garments on eBay while the brand focuses on...
Ocado is pivoting from large fulfillment centers to a store‑based e‑commerce model after its exclusive Kroger partnership ended. The company is promoting a 4,000‑5,000 sq ft system that stores roughly 20,000 products and blends grid‑based robotics with human pickers. Ocado plans to...
Amazon is expanding its Shop Direct program in the U.S., allowing shoppers to discover and purchase items not stocked on Amazon’s own site. The rollout adds support for third‑party product feeds from Feedonomics, Salsify and CedCommerce, giving Amazon real‑time access...
Off‑price giants TJX, Ross and Burlington reported double‑digit Q4 sales growth, with net sales rising 9% to $17.7 billion, 12% to $6.6 billion and 11% to $3.6 billion respectively. All three announced aggressive store‑opening programs, targeting 85‑110 new locations each in the United...
The One Off, a retail design consultancy, won the Creative Retail Awards Best Stand at EuroShop. Judges praised its record‑shop concept that transformed a two‑decade portfolio into an interactive, vinyl‑sleeve display. The stand delivered strong visual impact, brand clarity and...
Nike and discount grocer Aldi demonstrate how brands can thrive on social media by moving beyond gimmicky tones to authentic, community‑focused storytelling. Nike leverages cultural moments and athlete narratives to reinforce its “Just Do It” ethos, while Aldi uses humor...
Dr. Phone Fix Canada Corp. reported over 50% same‑store sales growth YoY in Jan‑Feb 2026, driven by higher repair volumes and new insurance repair programs. The recent acquisition of Geebo Device Repair added $175,000 in revenue, a 12% increase, and...
Suta, the Indian fashion label founded by sisters Sujata and Taniya Biswas, opened its first overseas retail store in Mauritius, marking a key milestone in its global expansion. The boutique features in‑store tailoring, lifetime alteration services and customization, aiming to...
UPS is executing its largest network consolidation while deliberately shedding about 50% of its Amazon volume by mid‑2026. The carrier has cut 30,000 jobs, closed 24 parcel‑sort facilities and is automating remaining sites to boost profitability. CFO Brian Dykes said...
After the holiday rush, warehouses and 3PLs face a wave of returns that exposes hidden operational friction. Lingering backlogs, shifting bottlenecks, and slow reintegration of sellable inventory tie up space and capital. Manual tracking and limited data visibility further strain...
Etsy released a guide for sellers aiming to be featured in its marketing campaigns, such as Editor’s Picks and seasonal guides. The advice centers on discoverability, visual quality, brand storytelling, and buyer experience. Sellers are urged to maximize tags, use...
GS1 US’s Sunrise 2027 initiative aims to have every point‑of‑sale system read 2D barcodes, such as QR codes and DataMatrix symbols, by the end of 2027. The voluntary program pushes the retail sector beyond traditional 1D codes, unlocking richer data...
Brandman Retail announced a strategic partnership with ANTA Sports Products Limited to bring Wilson Sporting Goods and ANTA to India. The alliance will open dedicated mono‑brand stores in major metropolitan areas, with the first location slated for April 2026. The curated...
Apparel Group announced it will bring Nike Littles and Jordan to its Indian retail network. The move expands the group’s youth‑focused portfolio and adds both physical stores and digital marketplace presence. The partnership aligns with Nike’s inclusive sport mission and...
Pizza operators are turning to self‑order kiosks tightly integrated with intelligent POS platforms to streamline front‑of‑house service. The app‑like kiosks reduce wait times, improve order accuracy, and allow real‑time upselling of high‑margin items. Integrated POS systems provide dynamic pricing, analytics,...
Ilia Beauty is staging a two‑day pop‑up on Greek Street in Soho from March 13‑14, 2026, to debut its new Skin Blur Serum Concealer. The concealer replaces the 2019 True Skin Serum formula and arrives in 34 shades, promising a lightweight,...
Modern British fragrance house Floral Street is launching its newest scent, Enchanted Masquerade, in a dedicated pop‑up at Boots’ New Mersey store in Liverpool on 12 March. The fragrance is a licensed collaboration with Netflix and Shondaland’s hit series Bridgerton, translating...
Costco’s Business Centers, accessible to all members, stock oversized beef cuts that regular warehouses often lack. Shoppers can purchase whole tenderloins, briskets and rib racks at per‑pound prices that undercut standard Costco locations. The larger walk‑in freezers provide a broader...
Turning Quiet Corners Into Sales Drivers: Reviving Low Traffic #Retail Zones [NEW POOST] - B2B Marketing Blog | Webbiquity - https://t.co/oE7LTvVlWV https://t.co/cbOyS39t1h
Molson Coors has shifted its creative strategy from chasing awards to driving sales and brand health, led by North America CMO Sofia Colucci. The company introduced an internal framework called MUSCLE—magnetic, unexpected, crafted brilliantly, long‑term platform, essence of brand—to align...
Molson Coors’ North America CMO Sofia Colucci emphasized that creative must directly boost sales and brand health, not just generate buzz. To align creative output with revenue goals, the company introduced the MUSCLE framework—Magnetic, Unexpected, Crafted brilliantly, Long‑term platform, Essence of...
The Retail Media Podcast’s final episode, recorded at NRF 2026, highlights three pivotal shifts that defined 2025: marketplace sellers emerging as the primary growth engine, AI becoming the operating system for retail media, and product catalogs transforming into strategic discovery...
In this episode, Oksana Sobol, Vice President of Insights and Decision Intelligence at The Clorox Company, discusses the newly released "Home Care Redefined" research, which reveals shifting consumer priorities toward emotional and wellness outcomes in home cleaning. Key takeaways include...
