Personalization

With inflation and rising prices looming, U.S. consumers are gearing up for the 2025 holiday season with a sharp focus on value and convenience. A recent Holiday Survey report from Monetate of 1,500 shoppers reveals that more than two-thirds (67 percent) are worried about costs, and 76 percent are hunting for deals to stretch their…

Retailers everywhere are trying to prepare for a host of unknowns this holiday season, not least of which is how tariffs may impact consumer spending. Deloitte predicts that peak-season sales will grow only about 3 percent this year, the slowest pace since the pandemic. Yet within those muted expectations lies a bright spot: e-commerce is…

October used to be the quiet before the chaos, the month where retailers finalized promotions, smoothed supply chains, and crossed fingers. Not anymore. The game has shifted. Holiday 2025 is already underway, and the brands that still treat October as a prep month are about to lose share before the season gets into full swing.…

In 2025, personalization remained the key marketing trend. However, it evolved far beyond simple "Dear [First Name]" emails. With artificial intelligence, brands can create experiences where each customer feels like they're talking directly with the brand. Instead of generic email blasts, customers get personalized offers delivered through their preferred platform, whether that's Instagram, email, or…

In episode 492 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Debbie Woloshin, chief marketing officer at Stitch Fix, the leading online personal styling service. The interview was recorded at at Shoptalk Fall in Chicago last month. Listen in as Woloshin discusses innovating the product discovery process (1:40) as well as Stitch Fix's "Retail Therapy"…

Wondering what your customers really want? Right now? In 2025? Here it is: Customers want brands to meet them where they are, in real time, with made-for-them messaging that’s genuinely helpful given their unique context. Now, obviously, that’s a tall order. And it’s an order that traditional tactics, like generalized audience segmentation, won’t be able…

In the rapidly evolving retail world, consumers are becoming increasingly discerning. They've grown weary of superficial personalization efforts that feel contrived or irrelevant. Instead, they seek seamless, intuitive interactions that demonstrate a genuine understanding of their needs — whether browsing online, checking emails, or visiting a store. In this attention-scarce economy, brands must engage shoppers…

Retail today is dynamic. It’s fast-paced. And it’s online. Product discovery often begins on mobile devices, and social commerce is booming. Shoppers now expect a seamless, personalized experience across all channels. Specialty retailers like pet supply stores, jewelers, and sewing shops won’t stand out by simply having great products. They have to connect with customers…

Consumer price sensitivity continues as we dive into Q3, with inflation having accelerated in June. This means shoppers are wary of spending, with dollars being stretched further than ever. But retailers are dealing with a cost-intensive environment, too, and their razor-thin margins can’t withstand prolonged downturns in spending. What they need from customers is both…

Retail media is an incredibly powerful tool for influencing purchasing behavior at or near the point of sale (POS), which is why it’s such a valuable asset for retailers and a sought-after marketing channel for brands. However, retail media also faces a consistent challenge: attribution. This difficulty linking sales to ad spend has led CPG…