E-Commerce

E-commerce brands often chase surface-level metrics like sales volume and return on ad spend (ROAS), believing these numbers define growth. While important, they don't tell the full story. Brands that focus only on these metrics risk leaving money on the table. The real key to sustainable growth lies in a deeper, more strategic approach —…

Many e-commerce merchants believe choosing a PCI-compliant payment processor covers their security responsibilities. Starting March 31, 2025, that assumption put them at risk. Under PCI DSS v4.0.1, even merchants that outsource payment processing must meet stricter security requirements, especially around third-party scripts. For years, outsourcing payment processing allowed merchants to complete a streamlined Self-Assessment Questionnaire…

In today’s noisy world of digital advertising, cutting through the clutter and reaching the right customer can seem impossible. Many brands, especially in e-commerce, are throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. That’s not us — and that’s not how we work. As a direct-to-consumer e-commerce brand, we dig into a more strategic,…

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…

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,…

8th Annual Report