Today on Total Retail

Multiple news sources report that Peloton, the fitness giant known for luxury in-home stationary bikes and related exercise classes, has quietly removed its unlimited free membership option on its app that was originally intended to capture new customers who may have been intrigued by the brand but weren't willing to spend thousands on its equipment.…

For the seventh consecutive year, NAPCO Research and Blackhawk Network have partnered to produce an industry-leading report on U.S. merchants’ gift card programs. The 2024 assessment included a review of retailers’ e-commerce gift card offerings (desktop, mobile web, mobile app, device agnostic), including the purchaser and recipient experience for both digital and physical cards of…

Shopping centers have proved their resilience over the past couple of years, staging an impressive comeback following the back-to-back challenges of COVID restrictions and inflation. But although foot traffic is bouncing back, shopping habits are changing — and leading malls are trying new tactics to draw consumers through their doors. Analyzing location intelligence metrics for…

In an era when online shopping dominates the retail landscape, Beyoncé's new hit single, LEVII'S JEANS, is proving that the right cultural moment, fueled by star power, can still drive fans to brick-and-mortar stores in droves. According to data from geospatial insights company pass_by, Levi's stores across the U.S. witnessed a remarkable 19.87 percent surge…

Retailers’ ability to identify and understand their customers plays a key role in their success. However, the onset of third-party cookie deprecation from Google, which officially began in January 2024, directly impacts how retailers can connect with their customers. Retailers must pivot to new targeting methods to continue reaching the right audiences, keep customers brand-loyal,…

Retail sales grew at a steady pace in March in part due to wage gains and easing inflation for goods, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor report, powered by Affinity Solutions, released on Monday by the National Retail Federation (NRF). According to the Retail Monitor report, total retail sales were up 2.72 percent unadjusted year-over-year…

In episode 448 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Libby Strachan, director of brand marketing at Free People, an Urban Outfitters, Inc. global lifestyle brand with offerings in unique apparel, intimate wear, shoes and accessories; and Kristen Dolan, senior vice president of growth at Influential, an AI social data and conversion technology. Strachan…

Regardless of the time, location or platform that customers choose to interact with their favorite brands, they expect a personalized and engaging experience. And for businesses that can deliver a unified experience, meeting customers' heightened expectations is a great opportunity to outperform rivals. In fact, 80 percent of customers admit that the experience a company…

Despite artificial intelligence's growing potential, many retailers currently struggle to embrace it and act on the insights it delivers. Often, this comes down to them not taking a strategic approach and deploying disjointed tools that are difficult to use or scale. New approaches are needed if AI is to truly benefit merchants and customers alike.…

Retail sales were reported to have dropped in January after a busy holiday season and we've entered what's traditionally the slowest season in retail. This post-holiday slump has coincided with lasting inflation and a significant drop in foot traffic, according to Adentro. However, although spending typically slows this time of year, it’s far from standstill.…