To survive in today's economic climate, retailers must stay on the cutting edge of technology, business strategy, and more. This section is all about business strategy, with content focused on topics such as retail technology trends, retail and e-commerce marketing strategies, merchandising, omnichannel best practices, and more!
For CEOs navigating today’s attention economy, the challenge isn’t product — it’s visibility. In a marketplace increasingly dominated by those with the largest marketing budgets, emerging and midsized brands often struggle to compete for exposure. That imbalance is what led Misti Blasko, CEO of ABLE and Women in Retail Leadership Circle advisory board member, to...
Hosted by Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s sister brand, Total Retail, Total Retail Talks is a podcast for retail executives who crave the knowledge and insights needed to stay successful in today’s fast-paced industry. In episode 498 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Isha Nicole, senior vice president of creative and marketing at...
Cross-border e-commerce is no longer a niche growth strategy reserved for enterprise retail organizations with seemingly unlimited budgets. It has become an integral channel for retailers seeking new revenue streams, diversified customer bases, and long-term resilience and growth opportunities. As domestic markets mature and competition intensifies, selling internationally offers retailers an opportunity to meet demand...
Hosted by Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s sister brand, Total Retail, Total Retail Talks is a podcast for retail executives who crave the knowledge and insights needed to stay successful in today’s fast-paced industry. In episode 497 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Rene Federico, head of marketing for the U.S. at Primark,...
The Look Company, creators of large-scale visual branding for retail, sport and event environments, released its 2026 Retail Design Trends report. The report reveals the five primary trends that will dominate physical store design and in-store experience this year, based on insight from retailers across the U.S. and Canada. The Look Company works with big box...
Last holiday season, one of a brand’s most loyal customers ordered three party dresses, intending to keep the one that fit best. What should have been a routine return turned into a viral disaster: confusing instructions, a missing confirmation email, and a delayed refund pushed her frustration onto social media. The brand scrambled to respond,...
Retail is on the cusp of the most profound shift we’ve seen since the rise of e-commerce. Throughout the past year, one theme dominated my conversations with technologists, payment network providers, retailers and more: agentic commerce. This isn’t a futuristic concept. It’s already emerging. Shoppers are already using artificial intelligence agents to research, compare and...
Artificial intelligence is no longer a novelty; it’s become a daily companion. From Gen Z to baby boomers, adoption is accelerating across all age groups, reshaping how consumers live, shop and interact. But as AI becomes mainstream, concerns around trust are rising. From Hype to Habit: How Consumers Are Embracing AI, the latest research brief...
Artificial intelligence has moved beyond the pilot phase in retail. Most major retailers now use AI across their operations, with 92 percent of retail marketers reporting active AI adoption this year alone — and more than half planning to increase their investment. The global AI retail market is projected to reach over $160 billion by...
The traditional e-commerce website, defined by search bars, filters and static product grids, is increasingly misaligned with how consumers want to shop. According to a new report from Total Retail, From Website to AI Storefront: How Retailers Are Preparing for Agentic Commerce and the Future of Online Shopping, consumers now expect to describe their needs...
