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!
Back-to-school shopping is a cornerstone of the retail calendar, but in 2025, it’s happening under new financial pressures. Consumers are increasingly budget-conscious, cautious about inflation, and deeply concerned about the impact of tariffs. While they remain loyal to brands and prioritize quality, their trust must be earned through empathetic engagement, timely promotions, and personalized experiences....
Today’s landscape is changing every day, making it that much more important to work efficiently and strategically. Enter: agencies. The official definition of agency is “a business or organization established to provide a particular service, typically one that involves organizing transactions between two other parties,” according to Oxford Languages. For comparison, Chat GPT (AI) reports:...
While the unprecedented supply chain disruptions of the past few years have slowed, several pressure points continue to impact industry leaders, including heightened inflationary costs, increased sustainability expectations, and emerging technologies that require strategic investments to remain competitive. But what do these influences look like across the supply chain? Here’s a breakdown of these challenges...
In Deloitte’s 18th annual Back-to-School Survey, families are sharpening pencils and their budgets. They’re approaching their second-largest annual spending event with a note of restraint, given current economic and household financial positions. Despite the uncertainty, parents appear confident they can replace clothing and refill backpacks by leaning on the savvy shopping habits they’ve honed during...
At the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York City last month, Ashley Schapiro, vice president of marketing, media, performance and engagement at American Eagle Outfitters (AEO), shared how the apparel retailer is redefining consumer engagement by leaning into sports culture. With an emphasis on relevance, authenticity and always-on content, AEO is leveraging sports not just...
Here are several trends within the packaging world that are worth tracking by retailers and brands: Sustainable Packaging Trends: Retailers are embracing minimalist designs, digital printing, and eco-conscious materials to meet rising consumer demand for sustainability. Industry-Wide Appeal: From food to fashion, sustainable packaging resonates across all retail sectors and demographics, helping brands build trust...
Tariffs, and any economic uncertainty for that matter, for many women — who drive a majority of household purchase decisions — are not just abstract policy shifts. They’re felt at the checkout line, in monthly budgets, and in day-to-day shopping habits. As prices rise on imported goods, many female consumers are making immediate changes, including...
Why and how did SoulCycle cut through the crowded fitness industry? What made the brand “sticky” enough to grab consumers’ interest? Amy Shecter, CEO of Cast Jewelry, asked these questions of Julie Rice, co-founder of Peoplehood and SoulCycle, on stage during the 2025 Women in Retail Leadership Summit, held April 28-30 on Amelia Island, FL. In...
Pride Month 2025 is more than a celebration — it’s a moment for retail brands to lead with purpose. For retailers, Pride Month is a business and cultural opportunity to demonstrate real allyship. During Pride Month in previous years, brands have amplified messaging in products and campaigns as a way to celebrate the community’s ongoing...
Think back to when the internet started (if you are old enough to know what living without internet was like). Did we have internet experts telling us how search engines worked? Did we have search engine engineers on hand to tell us exactly how to use the internet? Did we have webinars, workshops and books...
