The Experiential Edge: How Brands Are Harnessing the Power of Curated, Community-Building Brick-and-Mortar Experiences Via Technology
Kristin Howell
What do athletic apparel brand lululemon, beauty brands Glossier and Sephora, outdoor equipment company REI, and the restaurant brand Eataly have in common? They’re all investing in experiences to reshape the future of retail. Even as retailers pump more into digital experiences and technology, the …
Lift-and-Learn Technology: The Future of Digital Signage in Retail
Chris Foster
Nearly half (49 percent) of U.S. retailers are using store intelligence technologies (including artificial intelligence/machine learning, cameras, etc.), with the number continuing to grow as technology continues to evolve. And one concept that’s gaining traction is sensor technology, which could enhance the in-store experience for …
Tory Bartlett, CEO, PopUp Bagels | Total Retail Tech 2025
Kristina Stidham
This video features a discussion with Tory Bartlett, CEO of PopUp Bagels, titled “Grip, Rip, and Scale: How PopUp Bagels is Redefining Franchising and the Future of Food” from Total Retail Tech in Atlanta last week. Bartlett was interviewed by Lauri Kien Kotcher, former CEO …
Target Announces October Circle Week Deals, Adds 20,000 SKUs and Expands Next-Day Delivery
Marie Albiges
Target is promising a large holiday splash amidst a better-than-expected August U.S. sales report, announcing the return of its pre-holiday deals as well as new merchandise and faster delivery. The Minneapolis-based retailer announced its Circle Week savings for its loyalty members will return Oct. 5-11. …
RMNs’ $100B Blindspot: Solving Attribution in Physical Stores
Steve Carlin
Retail media networks (RMNs) have become one of the fastest-growing segments in advertising. In the United States alone, brands are expected to spend $62 billion on retail media in 2025, according to eMarketer. This includes all advertising sold by retailers across their online platforms, mobile …
Amazon Ends Prime Perk of Sharing Free Shipping Outside Household
Amazon.com is eliminating its Invitee program that allowed Prime members to share their free shipping benefits with nonmembers outside the household, multiple news outlets reported this week. For 15 years, Amazon allowed members of its loyalty Prime program to share the free, two-day shipping perk …
Barnes & Noble to acquire Books Inc., Saving 174-Year-Old Store From Bankruptcy
Joe Keenan
Books Inc. will live on — as a Barnes & Noble brand. The 174-year-old San Francisco-based bookstore chain, which filed for bankruptcy early this year, announced Wednesday a proposed sale to the category behemoth. The sale, which must be approved this fall by a bankruptcy …
How Smart Brands Orchestrate Authentic Experiences That Convert
Steve Maher
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 …
Sitting on the Sidelines Isn’t a Business Strategy; In Fact, it’s Ruining Your Brand
Brian Holland
In today’s unpredictable global economy, retailers of all sizes, from big-box chains to regional grocers, are now taking a pervasive “wait and see” business approach. Economic slowdowns, persistent inflation, and tariff changes have understandably led many retail executives and operations leaders to hit the brakes …
The Silent Decision-Makers: Tapping Into the Hidden Buying Journey
Unnikrshnan Kurup
In order to focus efforts on the appropriate demographic, any successful marketing strategy must include a step to determine the target buyer. In fact, 39 percent of consumers now expect brands to speak directly to their needs. Who are shadow buyers? They’re the people who …
