While attending Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas from March 25-27, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Chris Carl, head of marketing, U.S. for AliExpress, an international B-to-C e-commerce platform under the Alibaba Group. Carl discusses his role in growing market share for Alibaba's consumer e-commerce business in the U.S., recent updates…

U.S. retail sales saw strong growth in March, with consumers rushing to buy big-ticket items like cars as the threat of tariffs — and likely higher costs as a result — loomed large. The U.S. Census Bureau reported Wednesday that overall retail sales in March were up 1.4 percent over the same period last year,…

Social commerce is no longer just a trend; it’s reshaping how consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products. Fueled by younger generations, platforms such as TikTok Shop, Instagram Shops, and YouTube Shopping have transformed shopping into an interactive, content-driven journey. By 2030, the social commerce market is projected to reach $5.32 billion to $8.5 trillion, making…

2025 has so far proven to be a year of regulatory chaos for global supply chains. From the constant whiplash around tariffs and trade exclusions to the EU’s introduction of omnibus legislation for the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), it has been challenging for brands and retailers to keep abreast of all of the…

As retailers refine their 2025 marketing strategies against signs of softening demand, one key priority should be improving shopper engagement and loyalty program return on investment. According to Deloitte’s 2025 U.S. Retail Industry Outlook, six in 10 retail executives anticipate consumers will value price over loyalty this year. This makes it even more critical that…