Retail

As Holiday Demand Increases, How Should Retailers Prepare for a Holiday Surge?

As Holiday Demand Increases, How Should Retailers Prepare for a Holiday Surge?

Key Points: Consumers who’ve tried out the latest conversational channels expect brands to create a unique and personalized shopping experience that can also meet their basic needs. According to a global consumer survey by LivePerson, 83 percent of consumers worldwide are interested in browsing or buying products in a branded messaging experience. Brands that […]

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Latest

Retail
Does Live Streaming Have a Permanent Place in Retail?

We haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to the future of live streaming. Mostly when we thing of live streaming we think of things like Facebook Live or Instagram Live but now more than ever there are options where content can be live streamed. In this clip of MarketScale’s Retail Refined Melissa […]

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Healthcare
Is “Pay by Text” the Next Evolution of Ecommerce?

Key Points: Pay by Text is increasing in popularity, especially during the pandemic. Text messaging increases customer engagement and payment. More industries are using pay by text, including the healthcare industry. Commentary: There are a couple of things that are always going to be a constant. The sun will rise, and the sun will […]

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Retail
Adjusting to Supply Chain Issues Ahead of Holiday Season Demand

Keypoints: With the holiday two months away, companies are still dealing with supply chain issues. Businesses have been preparing but are still plagued with shortages. Chessgammon has found that their orders have been taking 9-10 months. Commentary: The holiday season is almost upon us. If they haven’t already been, businesses should be preparing for […]

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2021 Retail Refined
Live Streaming Has a Permanent Place in Retail. Here’s Why.

Live streaming adoption is accelerating for a host of reasons and has many applications. Retailers can take advantage of this channel to connect with consumers and sell directly to them. Talking about this emerging trend, Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez spoke with Kenneth Tan, Co-founder and CEO of BeLive Technology. The company offers live streaming solutions […]

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Food & Beverage
Can the CPG Industry Balance D2C Strategies with a Positive In-Store Experience?

Key Points: Food and beverage brands used the pandemic to test D2C initiatives. CPG, food, and beverage companies need to test out what will work both online and offline because more consumers are using e-commerce. C-stores and grocery stores will remain dominant channels to reach customers. Commentary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies in the […]

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2021 Retail Refined
How Revlon Thinks Through Its Innovation Process

Leveraging retail trends and data are keys to staying on the minds of consumers. This week on Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez talks with Keyla Lazardi, Revlon’s Chief Scientific Officer about how the cosmetics giant utilizes both trends and data when it comes to innovation. The two also discuss the future of the beauty industry and what trends Lazardi is most […]

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Latest

Cybersecurity Challenges in healthcare
Old Systems are Creating Cybersecurity Challenges for Healthcare Orgs
April 26, 2024

Healthcare organizations face significant hurdles in maintaining strong and secure cybersecurity measures as tech evolves. Some of that is due to aging network infrastructures and high costs of essential software, which have created complex cybersecurity challenges. As healthcare continues to rely increasingly on digital solutions for patient care, the stakes for securing these systems […]

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cybersecurity challenges
Healthcare Providers Must Combine Zero Trust Architecture and Threat Modeling to Address Cybersecurity Challenges
April 26, 2024

In today’s increasingly digital world, the healthcare sector faces significant cybersecurity challenges, necessitating urgent and sophisticated responses. The recent draft guidance issued by the FDA on cybersecurity for medical devices highlights a critical juncture for the industry: the need to implement and scale best practices in cybersecurity is more pressing than ever. As healthcare […]

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New Penalties is a Push to Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats in Telecommunications and Healthcare
April 26, 2024

Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical issue in telecommunications and healthcare—two industries intertwined as essential services. With both sectors recognized as critical infrastructure, the consequences of cyber attacks can be far-reaching, impacting everything from individual privacy to national security. While recent regulatory changes are aiming to tighten security protocols, it also raises questions about […]

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RFID utilization
RFID Utilization Can Help Retailers Scale, Unify Shopping Channels, and Transform Shopping Experiences
April 26, 2024

Recent discussions at NRF’s Big Show have catapulted RFID technology to the forefront of retail innovation, signaling a significant shift in how retailers manage operations and customer experiences. With major players like Macy’s and Levi’s demonstrating RFID’s effectiveness in enhancing inventory accuracy and reducing theft, the technology’s potential extends far beyond its initial applications. […]

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Latest Articles

grocery prices
Articles
Grocery Retailers Need to Adopt Adaptive Supply Chain Strategies to Stabilize Rising Grocery Prices
April 26, 2024

As recent reports highlight a cooling in overall inflation rates, the grocery sector tells a different story. Over the past three years, grocery prices have surged by 21%, outpacing the general inflation rate of 18% during the same period. This divergence is particularly pronounced in certain food items, where price increases have reached as […]

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RFID Utilization Can Help Retailers Scale, Unify Shopping Channels, and Transform Shopping Experiences

Recent discussions at NRF’s Big Show have catapulted RFID technology to the forefront of retail innovation, signaling a significant shift in how retailers manage operations and customer experiences. With major players like Macy’s and Levi’s demonstrating RFID’s effectiveness in enhancing inventory accuracy and reducing theft, the technology’s potential extends far beyond its initial applications. […]

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Big Box Stores Redefine Retail with Spaces Blending Personalization, Technology, and Community Engagement

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, big box retailers are increasingly focusing on transforming their spaces to cater to the experience economy. This shift comes as studies reveal that consumers are seeking more than just products; they desire immersive experiences that enhance their shopping journeys. The integration of advanced technologies such as virtual […]

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The Resurgence of Brick-and-Mortar Stores: One-of-a-kind Shopping Experiences Are Turning Customers into Brand Ambassadors

In the convenient world of e-commerce, big box stores are seeing a resurgence. Chains like Dick’s Sporting Goods, Walmart, and Target are experimenting with one-of-a-kind shopping experiences that can turn casual shoppers into loyal fans. In a recent Experts Talk roundtable, Allen Adamson, Co-Founder at Metaforce, highlighted how one-of-a-kind shopping experiences make for exciting […]

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digital augmentations
Acclara Insights - Acclara
Revolutionize Customer Engagement Through Digital Augmentations in Physical Retail
April 24, 2024

The digital transformation of retail experiences in physical stores has become crucial as big-box retailers strive to maintain their relevance and competitive edge in a digital era. These retailers are embedding interactive features and digital augmentations in their physical locations to offer unique, engaging customer experiences. This approach merges the tactile allure of in-store […]

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Enthusiastic and Trained Employees can Enhance Experiences and Drive Success in Physical Retail

In today’s retail landscape, big-box retailers are emphasizing the importance of their physical locations, even as the digital marketplace continues to expand. Stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart are not just maintaining their brick-and-mortar presence but are actively enhancing it with features like interactive elements and new store openings. This reassertion of the […]

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Small Retailers are at the Forefront of Economic and Community Revival

As big-box retailers like Walmart and Target continue to expand their physical storefronts, small business retailers are carving out a niche by integrating deeply with their local communities. These local shops, unlike their gigantic counterparts, are leveraging their brick-and-mortar presence to enhance community ties and foster local economies. While large retailers invest in blending […]

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American Freight’s Open-Box Approach Sets a New Standard in Retail Where Quality and Affordability Go Hand-in-Hand

As consumers increasingly seek out sustainable and value-driven shopping options, American Freight stands out with its distinctive approach to the retail market. By capitalizing on the trend towards open-box purchases and the demand for high-quality products at lower prices, this retailer is leading the charge. American Freight’s model of selling recertified returns at steep […]

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generative AI for digital commerce
Articles
Major Brands Are Investing in Generative AI for Digital Commerce. They Need to Prioritize Data Transparency to Build Consumer Trust.
April 5, 2024

In the rapidly evolving world of digital commerce, how can businesses harness the power of generative AI without crossing the ethical line of consumer privacy? Making best use of generative AI in digital commerce is proving a more difficult balancing act than the initial hype around tools like ChatGPT may have signaled. A […]

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Creating Immersive Retail Experiences at SXSW: What’s the Future of Brand Engagement?

How can brands leverage theater-driven design to create immersive retail experiences that resonate with consumers? Melissa Gonzalez, Principal and Shareholder at MG2 Design and the host of Retail Refined, has illuminated this topic at SXSW (South by Southwest) 2024, highlighting the significance of engaging consumers through multiple touchpoints. “What do you stand for? Why […]

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Loyalty in Retail: Mastercard is Shaping the Future of Retail by Creating Meaningful Connections with Customers

The retail space is heating up with innovation. Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized experiences and brands are harnessing the powers of new technologies and data to fulfill these demands like never before. In today’s episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez has partnered with Mastercard, a global leader in the solutions at the forefront […]

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Stepping into the Future at Shoptalk 2024: Creating a Flagship Brand Experience with APL

The customers of today are no longer satisfied with mere products; they crave brands that provide immersive, distinctive, and tailored brand experiences. Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) epitomizes this shift, setting a new standard in the luxury performance market with its innovative athletic footwear. APL’s newly opened flagship boutique in Soho, with its artisan plaster walls […]

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Latest Podcasts

2024 Retail Refined
A Look Into MG2’s Sustainability Impact Report
April 22, 2024

When businesses invest in building strategies around a sustainability impact report, it’s a win-win for the environment, the company, and the community the business serves. The architecture and design industries face renewed pressure to innovate sustainably in an era marked by rapid environmental shifts and an escalating climate crisis. As businesses and individuals become […]

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Unique In-Store Experiences Are Driving a Brick-And-Mortar Retail Resurgence

What’s behind the recent brick-and-mortar store resurgence? Could it be that big box stores recognize the one-of-a-kind shopping experiences that can occur in person? Finding unique ways to capitalize on those in-store experiences may lead to a brighter future for retail. Big box stores are reasserting the importance of their physical presence, continuing to […]

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American Freight’s Open-Box Approach Sets a New Standard in Retail Where Quality and Affordability Go Hand-in-Hand

As consumers increasingly seek out sustainable and value-driven shopping options, American Freight stands out with its distinctive approach to the retail market. By capitalizing on the trend towards open-box purchases and the demand for high-quality products at lower prices, this retailer is leading the charge. American Freight’s model of selling recertified returns at steep […]

Read More
Loyalty in Retail: Mastercard is Shaping the Future of Retail by Creating Meaningful Connections with Customers

The retail space is heating up with innovation. Consumers are increasingly seeking personalized experiences and brands are harnessing the powers of new technologies and data to fulfill these demands like never before. In today’s episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez has partnered with Mastercard, a global leader in the solutions at the forefront […]

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Brand experience with APL
2024 Retail Refined
Stepping into the Future at Shoptalk 2024: Creating a Flagship Brand Experience with APL
March 28, 2024

The customers of today are no longer satisfied with mere products; they crave brands that provide immersive, distinctive, and tailored brand experiences. Athletic Propulsion Labs (APL) epitomizes this shift, setting a new standard in the luxury performance market with its innovative athletic footwear. APL’s newly opened flagship boutique in Soho, with its artisan plaster walls […]

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Domino’s Leads the Pack in Digital Innovation by Embracing AI Across All Operations for Unmatched Efficiency

As technology continues to reshape the retail landscape, digital innovation, especially through artificial intelligence (AI), takes center stage. Its transformative power over store operations and customer experiences positions AI at the forefront of industry evolution, driving businesses to explore how these tools can refine efficiency, enhance  personalization, and redefine the shopping experience. How can […]

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AI Reshaping the Retail Industry One Personalized Experience at a Time

In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, the buzz around artificial intelligence (AI) is louder than ever. With the National Retail Federation (NRF) recently highlighting AI as a focal topic and its anticipated discussions at ShopTalk, it’s clear that AI is not just a trend but a transformative force reshaping the retail industry. This […]

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Brand Trust and Authenticity: Two Essentials that Will Make AI a Valued Resource in the Unified Retail Experience

AI is quickly becoming a leading player in building a unified retail experience. However, that success hinges on retailers’ ability to use the technology to generate brand trust and authenticity. Without those elements, it’s just AI. On the latest episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez chats with Krystina Gustafson, Senior Vice President of […]

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wellness and retail
2024 Retail Refined
Unpacking the Future of Wellness and Retail in 2024
January 31, 2024

In the latest episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez peers inside the evolving world of wellness and retail in 2024. Joined by Jennifer Walsh, founder of Walk with Walsh, this episode offers a unique perspective on how wellness trends are reshaping the retail landscape. This episode of Retail Refined features an insightful discussion […]

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Touchless Instant Checkout Perfectly Aligns with Consumer Desires, Offering the Ultimate Convenience and Seamless Shopping Experience

As retail evolves to meet modern consumer demands,  Melissa Gonzalez, host of Retail Refined takes a deep dive into the game-changing impact of touchless instant checkout on traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This insightful discussion sheds light on the intersection of consumer preferences and innovative retail technology.

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By Navigating Sustainability and Responsible Retail, Businesses Can Reach Better Ethical and Profit Achievements

The world is in an era where sustainability and responsible retail business practices are increasingly crucial. For the latest episode of “What Just Happened,” host Christine Russo further explored the hows and whys of this pressing issue by interviewing Cara Smyth, Global Senior Managing Director for ESG and Responsible Retail at Accenture, and Chair […]

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GNC’s Omni-Channel Evolution From Brick and Mortar to Commerce Hub

The transformation from a traditional brick-and-mortar store to an integrated commerce hub is crucial in the fast-evolving retail landscape. GNC’s omni-channel evolution epitomizes this shift, blending in-person and digital experiences to meet the contemporary consumer’s demands. But what does this mean for the future of retail? “Retail Refined,” hosted by Melissa Gonzalez, welcomes Nate […]

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Latest Videos

innovative tech
Articles
Staying Competitive in Retail: Future Success Tied to Adoption of Innovative Tech
January 12, 2024

In the rapidly evolving retail industry, a wide array of innovative tech is reshaping the landscape, marking a significant transformation in both the shopping experience and the operational aspects of businesses. This video from Datascan, explores a range of innovative technologies transforming the retail industry. It delves into the use of RFID for efficient […]

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Closing the Loop: Our Sustainable Commitment to Circular Economy

This video focuses on EcoLOK4, a groundbreaking product by CONTROLTEK that exemplifies innovation in sustainability. It highlights the process of transforming landfill waste into new deposit bags, with 90% of each bag’s material being repurposed trash. This initiative not only reduces waste but also closes the sustainability loop, demonstrating CONTROLTEK’s commitment to environmentally friendly […]

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CONTROLTEK’s Design Thinking Workshop with Rite Aid

The video showcases a dynamic workshop titled “CONTROLTEK Method of Design Thinking at Rite Aid,” highlighting the collaborative and innovative efforts between CONTROLTEK and Rite Aid teams. It features scenes of brainstorming, prototype development, and group discussions, emphasizing CONTROLTEK’s customer-centric approach to problem-solving and innovation in retail solutions. The workshop demonstrates how cross-functional teams […]

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CONTROLTEK Design Thinking Workshop for Burlington Stores

The video captures highlights from the CONTROLTEK Design Thinking Workshop specifically tailored for Burlington Stores. It shows interactive sessions, engaging group activities, and innovative brainstorming, emphasizing CONTROLTEK’s commitment to developing customized retail solutions in collaboration with the Burlington Stores team.

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value through innovation
Controltek
Enhancing Customer Value Through Innovation: The CONTROLTEK and Davis Bancorp Partnership
December 4, 2023

The collaboration between Davis Bancorp and CONTROLTEK is a shining example of how shared values and commitment can significantly enhance customer interests. This partnership is rooted in a strong foundation of similarities, with both entities being family-owned businesses that prioritize their people, property, and client service quality. CONTROLTEK’s approach is notably innovative and forward-looking. […]

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NRF 2023
How Retailers are Revolutionizing Customer Experience with Cutting-Edge Holographic Technology
March 2, 2023
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Retailers Need to Enhance Omnichannel Consumer Experience to Benefit

According to the National Retail Federation, almost 200 million consumers were shopping over Thanksgiving weekend. The NRF reports that “the total number of shoppers grew by nearly 17 million from 2021 and is the highest figure since NRF first started tracking this data in 2017”, this growth being in large part to the record-breaking […]

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Other Retail Articles
How E-Commerce Returns Can Be Maximized
October 12, 2021

Key Points: E-commerce platforms like Happy Returns are viable options for online retailers that don’t have a physical store presence or small store footprints to provide more return choices It doesn’t make economic sense to invest in stand alone return centers for most retailers and brands except for a few large ones Partnership between […]

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Evaluating the Real Cost of Social Media Outages
October 11, 2021

Key Points: You can’t fall in love with any platform that you don’t own. Be willing to be flexible on the channels that you use, find trending apps and see how you can apply the app to your business Still utilize email address, and newsletters because email won’t have outages and policy changes like […]

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How Revlon Used Data to Give its Marketing More than a Cosmetic Treatment
October 8, 2021

Leveraging retail trends and data are keys to staying on the minds of consumers. In this clip of an upcoming episode of Retail Refined, host Melissa Gonzalez talks with Keyla Lazardi, Revlon’s Chief Scientific Officer about how the cosmetics giant utilizes both trends and data when it comes to innovation. The two also discuss […]

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How Retailers and CPG Category Managers Can Leverage Emerging Tech
October 5, 2021

How do retailers predict what will be the drink choice of this fall? Well, it may seem impossible to guess that choices of consumers but one company is looking at how retailers and CPG’s can work together to lean into data to not only examine consumer buyer behavior but to break down detrimental silos, and […]

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Mobile Robots Will Boost Deliveries for Retailers by 500%, Says Robomart
October 4, 2021

Grocery shopping has now entered into the new millennium with consumers not having to enter the grocery store to get their goods. One company that is expanding that concept is Robomart which sends self automated vehicles to consumers to get goods contact free. Last month the company added a new platform which allows retailers […]

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Cannabis Companies Prepare for Potential Marijuana Banking Reform
October 4, 2021

The legal marijuana movement saw a glimmer of hope for a more scaled and structured industry in September; the U.S. House of Representatives approved an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would protect banks against federal retribution if they service state-legal marijuana businesses. This amounts to the fifth time in recent memory that […]

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The Future of Grocery is Here Live at GroceryShop 2021
October 1, 2021

What’s the future of grocery? In an industry that’s evolved dramatically since 2020, there are lots of trends to discuss. Retail Refined host Melissa Gonzalez spoke with multiple stakeholders to get their take. First, Gonzalez chatted with George Shaw, CEO of Pathr.ai, a spatial intelligence platform. “We apply data to questions our customers have, which […]

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Position Imaging Launches “Intelligent Logistics” Podcast Series
September 29, 2021

STRATHAM, NH – September 22, 2021 – Position Imaging, Inc, a pioneer in omnichannel logistics fulfillment and asset tracking, today announced the company has launched a new podcast series titled “Intelligent Logistics,” now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. The informative podcast will delve into how technology is elevating customer/resident package reception and return satisfaction […]

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Why the In-Store Experience is Tapping into Customers’ Love for Ecommerce
September 27, 2021

Shoppers are much more accustomed to ecommerce today than 18 months ago, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t still bringing the digital to the physical store. Studies over the last few years have shown a range of 60% to 80% of shoppers use their phone during the in-store shopping experience. With this overwhelming blend of […]

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