Google has once again delayed the death of the third-party tracking cookie in its Chrome browser. This is the third reprieve Google has given cookies since it first promised to phase them out in 2020. The next year, it pushed the date back to 2023 and then delayed it again to 2024. In its latest postponement, Google said in…
Joe Keenan
As part of the Benchmark Report: 2024 Digital Gift Card Leaders, U.S. Edition, a comprehensive report produced by NAPCO Research in conjunction with Blackhawk Network, 100 U.S. merchants’ e-commerce gift card programs were evaluated, including the purchaser and recipient experience for both digital and physical cards of the brands’ own gift card, based upon 135…
In episode 449 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews John Agnew, chief marketing officer at Love.com, an online marketplace focused on sustainable, healthy products and charitable giving. Listen in as Agnew provides an overview of the company (0:55), discusses the conscious shopping trend (1:40), the consumer behaviors Love.com is trying to tap into…
Longtime mall retailer Express filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday, however, a group of investors led by brand management firm WHP Global is looking to save the company by acquiring it. Express, whose portfolio includes its namesake banner, Bonobos and UpWest, said it will close 95 of its eponymous shops and all of…
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is preparing to sue to block a luxury fashion mega merger, Tapestry’s $8.5 billion takeover of Capri Holdings, two people with knowledge of the matter said. The FTC’s five commissioners are expected to meet next week to discuss the case, a move that could precede a formal vote on whether…
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…
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…
Macy's announced on Wednesday that it has settled its proxy fight with real estate investor Arkhouse, appointing two of the firm’s nominees to its 15-person board. Ric Clark and Rick Markee will join Macy’s board effective immediately. They’ll be part of the committee that’s in charge of overseeing and evaluating Arkhouse’s bid to take the…
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…
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Amazon.com is removing “Just Walk Out” technology from its Amazon Fresh stores as part of an effort to revamp the grocery chain. The company’s well-known technology lets customers pay for items without standing in line and sends them receipts afterwards. Amazon says Just Walk Out will now be replaced by smart carts that allow customers…
In this episode of Total Retail Tech Insights, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Shannon Flanagan, vice president and general manager of retail and consumer goods at Talkdesk, a global cloud contact center leader for enterprises of all sizes. Listen in as Flanagan discusses her experience in the industry (0:45), her career journey to Talkdesk and the…
In episode 446 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Stephanie Urban, vice president of marketing and e-commerce at Vince Camuto, the fashion footwear and accessories brand, part of Camuto Group. Listen in as Urban provides an overview of her role and professional background (0:50), the channels Vince Camuto is leveraging to improve its…
Amid faltering demand for shoes and clothing as well as slipping digital sales, Nike Inc. said last week that it will bank a lot more on the thing it has spent the past several years turning away from: other retailers. Executives discussed those plans on Nike’s earnings call, during which it announced that while fiscal…
In episode 445 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews David Spector, co-founder and chairman of ThirdLove, a women's intimates and lifestyle brand. Listen in as Spector shares the genesis of the company (0:45), his professional background prior to co-founding the company (4:20), his current role at the business (6:10), and how ThirdLove approaches…
