Rite Aid on Monday announced it's filing for bankruptcy for a second time, barely just seven months after the retailer exited Chapter 11 and emerged as a private company. The financially strapped drug store chain said it's looking for a buyer, and re-filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection will help facilitate that process. Rite Aid…
Joe Keenan
In this exclusive interview, Total Retail speaks with Nikki Baird, vice president of strategy and product at Aptos, to explore the evolving retail landscape. Baird offers valuable insights into shifting consumer behavior, the growing importance of unified customer experiences, and the strategic role of technology — particularly artificial intelligence — in enhancing in-store engagement. She…
Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a multibrand luxury storefront on Amazon Fashion, according to a Tuesday press release. The new shopping section is called Luxury Stores at Amazon. It features a selection of merchandise curated by Saks Fifth Avenue, including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, beauty, shoes, handbags, and accessories. The launch is accompanied by specially designed…
Chinese e-tailer Temu has started adding “import charges” of about 145 percent in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The fees, which began appearing over the weekend after price hikes went into effect on Friday, cost more than the individual products consumers are buying and can more than double the price of a typical order. For…
Consumer spending on Mother’s Day is expected to reach $34.1 billion this year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount is up from last year’s $33.5 billion and follows closely behind the record of $35.7 billion in 2023. Eighty-four percent of U.S. adults…
In episode 480 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jessica Thompson, global brand president of Halara, women's activewear-inspired everyday apparel. Listen in as Thompson provides an overview of the athleisure brand (1:40), its direct-to-consumer e-commerce distribution channels (2:25), and shares her career journey that lead to her current role (3:10). She discusses the…
As digital commerce continues to evolve, gift cards have transformed into a strategic engagement tool for merchants. The 2025 edition of the Best Digital Gift Card Programs report, produced by Blackhawk Network and NAPCO Research, offers a deep dive into how 100 U.S. brands are optimizing their digital gift card programs — and which ones…
Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced the launch of Tractor Supply Rx, the company’s pet and animal pharmacy offering. Customers can now shop for pet and animal medications, enroll in automatic delivery through the Autoship program, and access expert pharmacy advice via the online pharmacy. From pet wash…
Lowe's announced on Monday it has agreed to buy Artisan Design Group for $1.33 billion from private equity firm Sterling Group. The deal would help expand Lowe's offering for its professional customers at a time when the company and its rival Home Depot are facing slower demand for home remodels and construction activity. Artisan Design…
In episode 479 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Frank Mulcahy, head of sales at Chewy Ads, the retail media network for leading pet retailer Chewy. Listen in as Mulcahy discusses the recent Chewy Ads refresh (1:30), its new key features and functionalities (3:25), and the retail media network's benefits for pet brand…
Walmart-owned Sam’s Club plans to supercharge its expansion by opening about 15 new stores per year going forward and remodeling all of its approximately 600 locations across the country, the warehouse club’s CEO Chris Nicholas said last week. With the boost from those new locations, Sam’s Club aims to double its membership over the next…
The National Retail Federation (NRF) delivered a reassuring message to retailers after President Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement on April 2. Despite the implementation of tariffs, the NRF expects the inflation rate to remain at current levels of 2.5 percent as measured by the personal consumption expenditure index. In addition, the retail industry is forecast to grow…
In episode 478 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Megan Porteous, chief revenue officer of Carve Designs, a women's sustainable swimwear and clothing lifestyle brand. Listen in as Porteous discusses the genesis and mission of Carve Designs (1:45), its various sales channels (2:55), and her career background as well as newfound responsibilities at…
The head of fast-fashion chain Primark, Paul Marchant, has resigned with immediate effect after he admitted an “error of judgment” towards a woman in a social environment. Parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) said in a statement on Monday that Marchant had accepted his actions fell below the standards expected, and the chief executive of…
Kroger countersued Albertsons on Tuesday, escalating a legal battle between the companies following the collapse of their proposed $25 billion merger in December. Albertsons terminated the merger immediately after courts blocked it and sued Kroger, alleging a breach of contract that led to the deal falling apart. Albertsons asked for billions in damages along with a $600 million…
