Retail Stores

Eighty percent of back-to-school shoppers are planning to buy their supplies at mass retailers (e.g., Walmart, Target, etc.), while 20 percent plan to shop at dollar stores, and 15 percent plan to shop at club stores. These are a just a few of the findings from data and tech company Numerator's 2023 Back-to-School Preview, which includes data…

Any retail expert worth their salt knows that personalization is the one true key to profitability. This is only becoming more important as the market grows saturated and customer expectations keep getting more demanding. But how will artificial intelligence technology change the ever-evolving retail landscape? Personalization is all about providing engaging customer experiences, which is…

A lot has changed since the pandemic, yet one debate continues to divide retail experts and it involves the uncertain future of brick-and-mortar stores. Pessimists argue that the return on investment is too low, and that the migration to e-commerce is only just beginning. Others believe that in-store shopping serves an experiential purpose, which cannot…

Reuters reports U.S. retail sales rose less than expected in June, increasing 0.2 percent month-over-month, the Commerce Department said on Tuesday. Data for May was revised higher to show sales gaining 0.5 percent instead of 0.3 percent as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales gaining 0.5 percent. Excluding automobiles, gasoline, building materials and food services,…

Shopping for back-to-school essentials, such as clothes, shoes and electronics, will be a bigger struggle for families this year who are trying to manage their household budgets with less disposable incomes because of inflation. Back-to-school spending by parents with children in grades K-12 is expected to decrease 10 percent this year over last year to…

Brick-and-mortar retail has seen a huge rebound as consumers defied expectations and quickly returned to pre-pandemic shopping patterns. After a long period of isolation, shoppers flocked back to physical stores to reconnect with the brands and products they love. In 2022, major U.S. retailers announced plans to open nearly 8,000 stores, almost five times the…

Christmas Tree Shops plans to liquidate all of its stores. The retail chain, known for selling home goods like bedding sets, dinnerware and party decorations at a discount, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May. At the time, the company hoped to close only 10 stores considered to be underperforming and come out of its bankruptcy a…

For many, the 2008 recession marked legacy retail's first nail in the coffin. The Great Recession led to the collapse of countless storied names, many with decades-long histories. The growing popularity of online shopping and, later, the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this downward trajectory. And yet, despite this purported death spiral, legacy retail still lives…

Retail sales rose again in May as consumers continued to spend despite economic challenges, the National Retail Federation (NRF) said last week. NRF’s calculation of retail sales -- which is based on U.S. Census Bureau data but excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants to focus on core retail -- showed overall retail sales in…

As a brick-and-mortar retailer, you know that creating great in-location experiences is key for drawing in customers and keeping them coming back. But are you implementing experiences that are fun, unique and an extension of your brand? Or do customers see you as simply offering the same types of experiences everyone else is? As you…