Today on Total Retail

In a crowded school supply marketplace where consumers shop in-store and online, brands are trying many approaches to stand out from the competition. The most successful brands recognize the potential of omnichannel experiences in maximizing back-to-school sales. By seamlessly integrating online and offline channels, these brands create a cohesive, personalized shopping journey that engages consumers…

Executives don’t get where they are by jumping on every passing trend. True business leaders are the people who can assess all of the options in front of them and make choices that enable their companies to stay current and continue growing. Strategic timing is key to this process, and sometimes the right choice for…

Today’s fashion merchandisers probably grew up watching Rachel Green climb the ranks of Bloomingdales and Ralph Lauren in the culture-defining show, "Friends." In the last few years, the character’s iconic pleated trousers and crop tops have made an undeniable comeback, which got us thinking — what would Rachel’s job look like if the show were on…

With the rise of online shopping, omnichannel merchandising, and “customer experience,” it’s easy to forget that one of the biggest disruptions in retail is more than 150 years old: the price tag. When introduced by retail pioneer John Wannamaker in the 1860s, price tags upended the common practice of haggling. Suddenly, there was no back…

As the 2023 holiday shopping season approaches, how confident are you that: Your products are being sold to real customers and not bad bots? Your customer data is accurate? You aren’t spending real dollars on fake traffic? Very confident? If so, think again. Almost a quarter of all retail site visitors are bad bots. These…

Since great store design starts with customer experience, I’ll start there. I went into a popular electronics store for an Apple Watch. There were only two to see. Both were tethered to a “wrist loop” so you could “try them on” by slipping your wrist through the plastic loop that held the watch. So, I…

In this bonus episode of Total Retail Talks, Total Retail's Digital Content Director Kristina Stidham and Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan discuss the recently released 2023 Retail Technology Report. This annual report, which was produced in conjunction with retail point-of-sale and omnichannel platform KWI, features survey data from Total Retail’s audience of technology decision makers about their companies’ current…

Venmo users who regularly use the app to gift money can now do so with an accompanying physical Hallmark card, the two companies announced Wednesday. In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the PayPal-owned digital payment platform Venmo and the greeting card company Hallmark are giving customers a new, unique way of giving gifts. Here's how it works:…

e.l.f. Beauty has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Naturium, a fast-growing, high performance skin care brand for $355 million in a combination of cash and stock, the company announced Tuesday. The deal is expected to double e.l.f. Beauty’s presence in skin care to approximately 18 percent of retail sales. The transaction, which is subject…

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, one trend has resurfaced with undeniable force: the return of brick-and-mortar stores. In fact, this trend presents a unique opportunity for retailers to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The fusion of physical and online shopping experiences isn't just a renaissance for traditional retail; it's a dynamic and unprecedented…