Digital Innovation

In a world with endless snack options, many CPG brands are looking to stand out in the supermarket aisle by taking a sound-on approach to marketing and investing in a sonic identity. Consumer packaged goods have long used sonic cues in advertising to give their products personality, such as those with familiar brand mascots like…

In an era defined by rapid transformation and technological innovation, the retail sector finds itself at the forefront of adaptation and change. Staying ahead of emerging trends is about setting the pace and leveraging new opportunities to outstrip competitors. For savvy retailers, this means continuously monitoring developments across multiple fronts, from experiential shopping to advanced…

In episode 447 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Sabrina Callahan, vice president, e-commerce at Sam's Club, a leading membership warehouse club offering superior products, savings and services, part of the Walmart portfolio. During the wide-ranging conversation, Callahan discusses her role at Sam's Club (1:15), collaborating with other departments within the company to…

The psychological connection between sound and human recall has long been scientifically established, with certain sounds having the power to transport us back to a moment in time, jog a memory, or even a feeling. The tune of an ice cream truck in the distance, for instance, conjures up the warm memories of childhood summers.…

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is spurring organizations across different sectors to fundamentally reimagine their approach to digital transformation. Nowhere is its disruptive potential more evident than in retail, where Gen AI’s ever-increasing capabilities are powering a new age of customer-centric innovation. Retailers are exploring use cases across a wide range of functions, from new…

Grocery stores have been in a state of flux in recent years, influenced broadly by the economy and supply chain issues and, at the store level, by how consumers want to shop. This year, grocery bills are expected to exceed $300 a week, which in turn will impact the choices consumers are making at the…

In the rapidly evolving retail landscape, 2024 is already proving to be a crucial year for retailers to improve customer acquisition and retention. Analysts report that global expenditures on digital transformation initiatives will reach $3.4 trillion by 2026, with software innovation being the driving force behind trends like immersive shopping experiences, redefining the in-store experience,…

Regardless of how clever today’s e-commerce storefronts are, their digital interfaces lack one particular quality: the ability to mimic human expression — and research indicates it’s more than just a makeover. E-commerce and the “digital storefront” have existed for a little more than two decades. In that time, online shopping has come a long way…

In 2021, I told Total Retail readers that retailers were two years away from pivotal innovations across several key technology trends. I argued that we would begin to feel the convergence of these technologies happen in 2023, and that retailers would need to get moving — then — to be in a position to succeed,…

As we step into 2024, the retail landscape is undergoing a transformative shift, with virtual retail stores emerging as the next big online trend. This shift isn't just a fleeting fad but a response to changing consumer behaviors and technological advancements. As 3D for the web becomes more mainstream, traditional e-commerce websites are becoming flat…