Tue.Jan 07, 2025

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Managing Holiday Returns with Smart Lockers

Parcel Pending

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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Retailer Awards finalists for 2025 revealed

Inside Retail

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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Aldi to invest over £40m in Scotland over the next two years

Retail Focus

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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Hasbro reimagines Monopoly as iconic board game turns 90

Inside Retail

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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AI for Commerce: Foundations, Aspirations, and Hype

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.

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Why Branded Workwear is Vital for Retail Staff

Retail Focus

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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Fishwife’s Becca Millstein talks brand journey, social media and subscriptions

Inside Retail

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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Sage & Clare, Supre, Midas offer Australia’s best customer service experience

Inside Retail

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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Amazon Fresh launches £1 meal deal for limited time in January

Retail Times

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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The story of Zonzo Estate and how Zoncello became the drink of the summer

Inside Retail

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

Marketing 244
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Myprotein and CUPP launch high-protein bubble tea range

Retail Times

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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Staying Ahead of UFLPA Enforcement: Best Practices for Retail Supply Chains

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

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‘Zebra-striping’ and AI: Diageo tips this year’s liquor trends

Inside Retail

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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UFIT Loaded disrupts protein bar category

Retail Times

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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Alibaba sells Sun Art stake to double down on digital future

Inside Retail

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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N Brown completes Akeneo’s Product Information Management (PIM) transformation across Simply Be, Jacamo and JD Wiliams brands

Retail Times

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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Future-Proofing Enterprise Commerce: Why Extensibility Wins with Shopify

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

Enterprise commerce is evolving fast, and brands relying on rigid, one-size-fits-all solutions risk losing agility. But modernization doesn’t have to mean disruption. In this webinar, we’ll explore how an extensible, modular approach empowers brands to integrate new capabilities, enhance performance, and scale efficiently—all while leveraging Shopify’s strengths.

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Acon Investments takes controlling stake in True Religion  

Inside Retail

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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Glebe Farm Foods partners with Imperial London Hotels on Farm to Food initiative

Retail Times

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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Pininfarina is designing the future of sustainable EV charging

Design Wanted

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.

Design 109
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Kantar: household spending reaches new high as shoppers splash out on premium lines and festive fizz

Retail Times

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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🚀Future-Proof Your Salesforce B2C Commerce: Modernization Strategies Inside!

Outdated platforms are costing you sales. Legacy platforms like Salesforce SiteGenesis and SFRA can slow innovation, increase maintenance costs, and frustrate customers. This playbook provides a strategic roadmap to modernizing your Salesforce B2C Commerce platform using a composable approach to transition to faster, scalable, and flexible e-commerce solutions —without disrupting your business.

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Marie van der Kroft’s cabinet of curiosities

Design Wanted

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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B&Q to buy five Homebase stores in the UK

Retail Times

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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Ranieri takes the glazed aesthetic to even more alluring heights 

Design Wanted

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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Currys sees £400,000 saving on fuel costs thanks to cutting-edge Lightfoot fleet technology

Retail Times

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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The Evolving Retailers Fulfillment Strategy: Meeting Demands with Agility

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

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MITHRIDATE store by SLT Design

Retail Design Blog

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

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Double the love this Valentine’s Day with Guylian

Retail Times

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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via·1719 Wu Liangcai New Vision Field by Dayuan Design

Retail Design Blog

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

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Wild Thingz, new sweet brand launches on Amazon with half the sugar of major brands

Retail Times

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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Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud

Unlock agility, boost performance, and gain control over your Salesforce frontend with the latest masterclass from Composable.com : Modernizing the Frontend Experience on Salesforce Commerce Cloud Featuring experts from Algolia, Ember, Netlify, and Stripe, this masterclass focuses on practical strategies for optimizing your Salesforce Commerce Cloud storefronts using modern composable commerce integrations.

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Moment Boutique Store by Modum Atelier

Retail Design Blog

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

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InPost Group delivers over 1 billion parcels in 2024

Retail Times

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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Gol Gav Zaban herbal tea by Mohsen Zeinali

Retail Design Blog

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

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Hotel Chocolat releases two limited-edition drinking chocolates

Retail Times

Retail Times publishes international & UK retail news covering products, data, tech, packaging, people, research, comment and more besides! The chocolate connoisseurs at Hotel Chocolat has revealed two limited-edition drinking chocolates, perfect to embrace the hot chocolate season. A brand-new edition to Hotel Chocolat range, Love Ya Honey has emerged from Hotel Chocoalts inventing room.

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eCommerce in 2025: How Customer Experience Drives Online Retail Success

Speaker: Jennifer Wright and Nick Barron

2025 is right around the corner, and with it comes a new wave of consumer expectations, competitive pressures, and operational challenges. Success lies in finding the balance between operational flexibility and creating experiences that keep customers coming back. The future of retail belongs to those who can stay ahead of shifting customer preferences and marketing trends. 🔮 In this session, we’ll dive deep into what it takes to keep customers engaged and your operations nimble, no matt