Retail
Sam’s Club is innovating the retail checkout experience w with its AI-powered exit technology, contrasting sharply with Amazon’s recent setbacks with its ‘Just Walk Out’ technology. Amidst Amazon’s rollback on implementing this technology in larger stores due to operational challenges, Sam’s Club’s approach emerges as a strategic experiment in customer service efficiency, particularly […]
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2024 Retail Refined
A New York Pop-Up Experience Where “Motion is Magic”: Kizik’s Innovative Approach to Footwear and Retail Expansion Takes the Stage
As the concept of “Motion is Magic” takes center stage in Kizik’s national brand expansion, the footwear industry witnesses a seamless blend of digital and physical retail innovations. This strategic approach, is set against a backdrop of increasing consumer demand for experiential marketing, engages customers uniquely and memorably and establishes a deeper connection with […]
Articles
To Retain Customers Amid the Rise in Grocery Costs, Stores Must Offer Competitive Prices & Home Delivery Services
In the face of global economic shifts, grocery prices have continued to escalate, climbing by 21% over the last three years, outstripping the overall inflation rate of 18% for the same period. This trend persists even as general inflation shows signs of cooling, presenting a paradox that affects consumers and retailers alike. The ongoing […]
Articles
Grocery Retailers Need to Adopt Adaptive Supply Chain Strategies to Stabilize Rising Grocery Prices
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 […]
Articles
Scale Up, Unify Shopping Paths, and Transform Experiences with RFID Utilization in Retail
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. […]
Articles
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 […]
Articles
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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Latest Articles
To Retain Customers Amid the Rise in Grocery Costs, Stores Must Offer Competitive Prices & Home Delivery Services
In the face of global economic shifts, grocery prices have continued to escalate, climbing by 21% over the last three years, outstripping the overall inflation rate of 18% for the same period. This trend persists even as general inflation shows signs of cooling, presenting a paradox that affects consumers and retailers alike. The ongoing […]
Grocery Retailers Need to Adopt Adaptive Supply Chain Strategies to Stabilize Rising Grocery Prices
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 […]
Scale Up, Unify Shopping Paths, and Transform Experiences with RFID Utilization in Retail
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. […]
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 […]
Revolutionize Customer Engagement Through Digital Augmentations in Physical Retail
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Major Brands Are Investing in Generative AI for Digital Commerce. They Need to Prioritize Data Transparency to Build Consumer Trust.
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 […]
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 […]
Latest Podcasts
A Look Into MG2’s Sustainability Impact Report
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Unpacking the Future of Wellness and Retail in 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 […]
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.
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 […]
Latest Videos
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 […]
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 […]
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.
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 […]