How SMBs Can Rethink Their Digital Footprint With AI
Kimberly Little
In the evolving landscape of business management for small and midsize businesses (SMBs), artificial intelligence tools have emerged as vital assets to streamline operations and optimize resources. Small business owners continually seek ways to bolster their competitive edge and increase efficiency, understanding that in today’s …
The Factors Driving U.S. Polo Assn.’s Strong Growth
Kristina Stidham
The U.S. Polo Assn. has climbed the retail ranks as one of the largest global licensed sports brands in the world, ranking consistently alongside the NFL, MLB, and NBA. J. Michael Prince, president and CEO of USPA Global Licensing (USPAGL), joined the Women in Retail …
Enhancing Consumer Experiences by Connecting Gift and Loyalty
Sam Lituchy
Advances in digital technology continue to transform consumer journeys, evolving everything from the way brands engage with consumers to how shoppers complete their most basic purchases. Loyalty programs have long been a tried-and-true method for brands looking to engage, offering an opportunity to reward shoppers …
NRF: Back-to-School Spending Expected to Reach $38.8B
As of early July, more than half (55 percent) of back-to-school and college shoppers had already begun buying items for the upcoming school year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Total back-to-school spending …
3 Ways Merchants Can Maximize the Cross-Border E-Commerce Opportunity
Jan Soerensen
Technology has long paved the way for consumers to shop beyond their own domestic markets. Today, a growing number of international e-commerce brands, including Temu and Shein, are enticing overseas shoppers with unique product offerings, competitive pricing, and more. Demonstrating the opportunity, over half (52 …
Conn’s HomePlus Announces Bankruptcy Filing, Store Closures
Marie Albiges
Conn’s HomePlus, the Texas-based home goods, furniture and electronics retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Tuesday and is closing 73 of its 170 stores, multiple news outlets reported. The closures and bankruptcy filings come after a year of lost profits for Conn’s — the …
Peak Season Prep: What Brands Can Learn From Amazon’s Biggest Day of the Year
Meghan Barden
Amazon Prime Day is the mid-summer shopping event that serves as a litmus test of what to expect for the Q4 holiday season. Every July, Prime Day offers a valuable “dress rehearsal” for upcoming critical shopping periods such as back-to-school and the holidays. This year, …
Key Retail CRM Capabilities to Maximize Store Performance
Roman Davydov
Customer relationship management (CRM) is a critical business process in both online and brick-and-mortar retail. Its efficiency directly affects customer satisfaction and loyalty and thus largely determines a retailer’s revenues. As a retail business grows, the number of clients also increases, making CRM more labor-intensive …
5 Lessons to Learn From Bob’s Stores Bankruptcy
Maksym Prokhorov
New England clothing fixture Bob’s is closing permanently, which is sad news for employees, customers, and other stakeholders. The Northeast store, which has been around for 70 years, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June. With Bob’s unable to get the required funds to keep …
Why Prime Day Matters for Small Businesses
Joe Keenan
This week marks the 10th Amazon Prime Day, a major milestone for both Amazon.com and independent sellers that sell on its marketplace. Amazon’s significant investments in marketing, merchandising, operational infrastructure, and people that drive independent seller success result in an end-to-end experience that boosts sales …
