Today on Total Retail

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 Retail Right Now, Total Retail's Marie Albiges and Joe Keenan discuss the key themes and trends that emerged during Shoptalk Spring 2024 in Las Vegas. They touch upon highlights from discussions held at the Women in Retail Pavilion, hosted by Women in Retail Leadership Circle, sister brand of Total Retail.

In November and December, U.S. retail industry sales rose 3.8 percent compared to the year before. Economists seemed surprised by retail results defying expectations throughout much of 2023. Unfortunately, 2024 didn’t start quite as well. Since then, retail sales have shrunk by 0.8 percent (worse than market forecasts of a 0.1 percent decline). U.S. retail…

The retail industry is gearing up for an artificial intelligence-first revolution, with customer experience (CX) at the center of this massive shift. AI is poised to become an essential instrument for retailers, enabling them to outpace competitors, provide standout personalized services, and keep CX at the core of their business strategy, creating a flywheel effect…

As retailers across industries recognize the growing importance of sustainability, the role of technology in enabling eco-friendly shopping experiences has never been more critical. The shift towards sustainable shopping, driven by consumers' values and environmental consciousness, has reshaped the retail landscape. According to Statista, 60 percent of surveyed individuals made at least one second-hand purchase…

Walmart is raising its return shipping rates for seller-fulfilled orders, citing "changing market conditions," according to an update posted this month on the Walmart Marketplace website. While the retailer doesn't make its return shipping rates public, the company told Talk Business it’s the first rate increase in two years. Walmart marketplace allows third-party sellers to…

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…

Dynamic pricing has long been a part of the rideshare experience, sparking unhappy social media posts when “surge pricing” kicks in after a night out on the town or a major event. But while the immediate leap from fluctuating fares for a ride home to varying prices for your lunch might seem a stretch, it's…

Small to midsized businesses (SMBs) have been caught between a rock and a hard place by their SaaS platforms. Everyone knows interest rates have been rising and inflation has also lifted prices. However, the seemingly endless and automatic "price changes" announced by billion-dollar software companies like Shopify are endangering the very existence of SMBs. Shopify…

In the ever-evolving landscape of marketing, e-commerce, operations, and management, executives are constantly on the lookout for strategies that can enhance efficiency and accelerate the sales cycle. In order to stand out in a competitive marketplace, adopting advanced tactics becomes not just advantageous but essential. Here, we explore innovative approaches that can significantly speed up…