Parcel Pending

JANUARY 7, 2025

Although retailers typically accept returns as a cost of doing business, more and more are struggling to manage the onslaught of returns caused by online shopping. This blog explores ways retailers can reduce returns and lower operational costs, as well as how smart lockers can help improve the customer experience. Predictions for Holiday Returns in Early 2025 Returns are skyrocketing and are expected to hit 17% of all merchandise sales, creating a $890 billion problem for retailers. 1 The retur

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Inside Retail has revealed finalists for the upcoming Retailer Awards 2025 presented with Commonwealth Bank. Judges this year include Colleen Callander, co-founder and director of Human Elevation; Nick Gray, founder of I Got You Consultancy; Andy Evans, co-founder of Humii; Jason Pallant, senior lecturer for marketing at RMIT University; Carly Whitelaw, founder and lead advisor of CWC; Lauren Kelly, strategy director at Interbrand; Aaron Spowart, executive sales manager of commercial banking at

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Retail Focus

JANUARY 7, 2025

Aldi is set to continue its expansion in Scotland, confirming today it plans to invest more than 40m over the next two years, opening three new stores in Arbroath, Baillieston and Kirkintilloch in 2025. The investment supports the retailers growth ambitions north of the border and will allow it to keep up with growing consumer demand. In 2024, Aldi celebrated 30 years in Scotland, having opened its first store in Kilmarnock in 1994.

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

To celebrate 90 years of Monopoly, Hasbro is reimagining its iconic board game with a modern design and introducing three new expansion packs: Go to Jail, Buy Everything, and Free Parking Jackpot. The updates aim to deliver faster gameplay while adding creative twists for players to enjoy. Players can win money in unique ways, collect new cards to escape tricky situations and unlock the ability to purchase every space on the board or the bank itself.

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Speaker: Jason Cottrell and Gireesh Sahukar

Retailers know the clock is ticking–legacy SAP Commerce support ends in 2026. Legacy platforms are becoming a liability burdened by complexity, rigidity, and mounting operational costs. But modernization isn’t just about swapping out systems, it’s about preparing for a future shaped by real-time interactions, AI powered buying assistants, and flexible commerce architecture.

Planning

Retail Focus

JANUARY 7, 2025

In todays competitive retail landscape, creating a memorable brand image and ensuring smooth operations are more crucial than ever. One often-overlooked but highly effective way to accomplish both of these objectives is by implementing branded workwear for retail staff. From enhancing professionalism to boosting brand recognition, branded uniforms provide a range of benefits that positively impact both employees and customers.

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

When Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb launched tinned fish brand Fishwife back in December 2020, few could have predicted how the consumer packaged goods brand would blow up. Since entering the retail scene, Fishwife has become one of the most well-known brands in the snack category, let alone in the $3.4 billion-plus US tinned fish sector. Inside Retail connected with Millstein to discuss the brands plans to tap into channel expansion and merchandising opportunities and how the founder pla

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Midas, Supre, and Sage & Clare have ranked the highest for Customer Service Experience in the Online CX Index , Australias first and only online retailer performance platform powered by real data. The Online CX Index, a partnership between Inside Retail and Humii, covered the customer service experience in December on metrics such as the availability of self-service support options, quality of on-site FAQs, live chat, email support, support responsiveness, resolution times, and overall quali

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Retail Bound

JANUARY 7, 2025

The traditional retail landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With the rise of e-commerce giants, brick-and-mortar stores are redefining their roles in the retail ecosystem. By 2025, the future of physical retail will hinge on its ability to blend with digital innovations while retaining its unique strengths. This blog will explore how brick-and-mortar stores are set to adapt and thrive, offering valuable insights for product manufacturers eager to tap into the vast potential of major r

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Fan mail is typically reserved for celebrities but an exception has been made for a winery with a star lineup of spritzes. Its not out of the ordinary for Zonzo Estate to receive handwritten letters from consumers with messages like, Id love for you to be part of my special day and Zoncello is the drink of the summer. Zonzo Estates Zoncello Limoncello Spritz, Bellina Bellini Di Christina, and Cicchio Pistachio Spritz not only make up the Yarra Valley winerys popular aperitivo pack but also have

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Amazon Fresh has today launched Londons Best Value Meal Deal, at just 1 for customers to enjoy throughout January. Available from the 6th – 31st January in Amazon Fresh stores across London, including the recently renovated Holborn, Liverpool St and Wood Wharf stores, customers can enjoy a main, snack and drink from the 3.90 meal […] If you w

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AI agents already analyze trends, draft content, and trigger actions across leading commerce platforms. Yet most organizations still rely on workflows built for human‑only teams, losing speed, margin, and customer loyalty. Humans + Agents: Rethinking Enterprise Commerce in the Age of AI Collaboration shows how to close that gap. In one concise read you’ll see where agent gains surface first, how early adopters prove ROI, and which lean controls keep innovation moving without risking data or bran

Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Diageo the company behind Johnnie Walker, Don Julio Tequila, and Guinness has predicted this years major liquor trends. Its Distilled 2025 report identified these global trends : zebra-striping, unique experiences, AI, community connections, and staying connected to consumers. It was based on an AI-powered analysis of more than 160 million online conversations.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Myprotein, the leading online sports nutrition brand, has partnered with premium bubble tea brand, CUPP, to launch three high-protein milk and fruit infused bubble teas. Launching today (6thJanuary), the protein boba drinks are available in over 35 CUPP stores across the UK, including their Manchester, Leeds and London stores.

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Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Alibaba has divested its entire stake in hypermarket operator Sun Art (Sun Art Retail Group) for HK$12.298 billion ($1.58 billion), shifting its focus fully onto e-commerce as competition intensifies. Alibaba subsidiaries sold the 78.7 per cent stake to Chinese private-equity company DCP Capital for HK$1.75 per share, which was below the market price of HK$2.48.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! UFIT, the UKs Number 1 Ready-To-Drink protein brand, will expand its leading portfolio of health-focused snacks and drinks with the launch of UFIT Loaded Protein Bars. Focused on combining taste, value and nutrition, the duo will be available in discounters from 28th December, with online listings to follow in January 2025.

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Speaker: Ethan Woolley, Director at Kharon

This webinar will explore how companies can proactively address compliance risks–rather than reactively responding to–UFLPA enforcement actions. Ethan Woolley will provide insights into the latest CBP enforcement trends, entity list updates, and industries under increased scrutiny, with a look at potential shifts under the Trump administration. Ethan will also explore how predictive data and strategic due diligence can help organizations stay ahead of regulatory challenges and strengthen complia

Strategy

Inside Retail

JANUARY 7, 2025

Private equity firm Acon Investments has acquired the controlling stake in apparel brand True Religion for an undisclosed sum. Founded in 2002, True Religion offers premium denim, sportswear and other apparel for men, women and kids. The company operates an e-commerce platform, more than 51 branded retail locations and a network of wholesale partners.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! N Brown Group plc,the inclusive fashion and homeware digital retail group, has implemented its new Product Information Management (PIM) system in partnership withAkeneo the Product Experience Company. The transformation, implemented ahead of the critical 2024 Peak Trading Period, has improved customer experience across its Simply Be, Jacamo and JD Willia

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Design Wanted

JANUARY 7, 2025

Mobility has always shaped the landscapes around us, from city streets to rural highways, all deeply tied to infrastructure that […] The post Pininfarina is designing the future of sustainable EV charging appeared first on DesignWanted.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! The UKs leading producer of 100% pure, gluten-free oats, Glebe Farm Foods, has today announced a new contract to supplyImperial London Hotelswith its award-winning PureOaty range of British-made oat-based breakfast products.

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Late deliveries. Split shipments. Spiraling freight costs. For home, furniture, and DIY brands, fulfillment has never been more complex—or more critical. This report outlines how a smarter, AI-ready order management system (OMS) helps you reduce shipping costs, streamline project-based fulfillment, and ensure accurate inventory across every channel.

Strategy

Design Wanted

JANUARY 7, 2025

To what extent do artists formative years set the tone for their creative pursuits? Is ones artistic intuition so lovingly […] The post Marie van der Krofts cabinet of curiosities appeared first on DesignWanted.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Household spending on take-home groceries hit a record high this Christmas at 460 on average, according to the latest data fromKantar. Overall take-home sales at the grocers rose by 2.1% over the four weeks to 29 December compared with last year.

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Design Wanted

JANUARY 7, 2025

Ever immersed in our digital domains, witnessing the overlap of trends has in a very abstract form become the equivalent […] The post Ranieri takes the glazed aesthetic to even more alluring heights appeared first on DesignWanted.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! B&Q has announced that it has reached agreement to acquire five leasehold stores in the UK, currently trading as Homebase, for a total purchase price of 2.5 m. This follows the agreement to buy three stores currently trading as Homebase in the Republic of Ireland announced on 24 December 2024, and further complements and strengthens […] If you

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Speaker: Benjamin Woll, Tiffany Spizzo, and Jaime Santos Alcón

Enterprise commerce is at an inflection point. Rigid, monolithic platforms slow brands down, but a full replatforming is disruptive and costly. Modular architecture offers a flexible, scalable alternative - allowing enterprise brands to modernize without ripping and replacing their entire stack. Learn how a composable approach helps modernize commerce stacks while maintaining control over critical systems.

Architecture

Retail Design Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Officially based in London, forward unisex fashion brand MITHRIDATE is led by brand founder Tina Jiang, and forms an integral.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Currys plc, the UKs largest omni-channel technology retailer, has succeeded in reducing its annual fuel bill by more than 400,000 thanks to the successful adoption of Lightfoots cutting-edge in-cab driver coaching technology and rewards platform.

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Retail Design Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

When a building becomes a collective memory of a city, the meaning it carries is unique.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Born from the love between Belgian chocolatier Guy Foubert and his fiance Liliane, Guylian has become a symbol of shared indulgence and affection. This Valentines Day, double the love with Guylians new Love Pralin hearts, crafted from 100% naturally sourced ingredients and Fairtrade cocoa.

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AI is rapidly transforming digital commerce, but how do you separate real opportunities from hype? Moderated by Orium, AI for Commerce: Foundations, Aspirations, and Hype , experts from Bloomreach , commercetools , Contentstack , and Fluent Commerce explores where AI is already delivering results and where its potential is still unfolding. This masterclass dives into proven AI applications, emerging innovations , and the gaps between promise and reality in commerce.

Strategy

Retail Design Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Moment boutique store is located in Cinnalane, Nanjing, where surrounded by a historic architectural complex, with the famous Ganxi Mansion.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! The world of sweets is getting a much-needed shake-up. EnterWild Thingz,the rebellious new gummy brand thats unapologetically rewriting the rules. With bold flavours, wacky shapes, and not a single artificial ingredient in sight, Wild Thingz is here to bring the joy back to sweet treats.

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Retail Design Blog

JANUARY 7, 2025

Gol Gav Zaban herbal tea is a popular herbal product used for relaxation and health promotion. In the design.

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Retail Times

JANUARY 7, 2025

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! Europes leading e-commerce logistics enabler InPost Group achieved record-high volumes in Q4 2024 and for the full year 2024. This performance was driven: in Poland mainly by fashion segment and SME merchants as well as marketplaces; in Mondial Relay by growth in the B2C segment; and in the UK by rapid network expansion, coupled with […] If you wan

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Speaker: Becky Parisotto and John Vurdelja

Fulfillment is no longer just about getting products from point A to point B – it's about crafting seamless, scalable, customer first experiences. Flexible fulfillment strategies are more important than ever for those aiming to stay ahead and build resilience as retail enters a new era in 2025. Learn how to optimize fulfillment processes, tackle complex, multi-vendor orders, and create seamless customer experiences – from white-glove delivery for high-value items to quick-ship solutions for ever

Strategy