In this episode of Retail Right Now, Total Retail’s Joe Keenan and Kristina Stidham discuss a recently released report from NAPCO Research and Blackhawk Network, 2024 Digital Gift Card Leaders, U.S. Edition. This seventh annual report is the market-leading resource on the gift card industry. The comprehensive benchmark study offers readers a thorough assessment of ..read more

Retail sales grew modestly from the month before in April, but a shift in the timing of Easter appeared to be behind a slight year-over-year decline, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF). Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 0.26 percent seasonally ..read more

Keeping up with nanosecond social media trends is a never-ending challenge for retail brands and shoppers. In addition to responding to these fast-paced microtrends, merchandisers face increased pressure to incorporate cutting-edge personalization techniques that drive authentic shopping experiences and cultivate brand loyalty. So, what’s the answer to remaining innovative and on-trend in 2024? According to ..read more

Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love snagging a new coat for 25 percent off? Consumers expect promotions from retailers — it’s a market reality exacerbated by the current economy. However, brands trying to maintain reputations and margins can’t pin their entire sales strategy on promotions. In addition to cutting into margins, perpetual sales promotions negatively ..read more

Everyone knows product returns are a problem, but now the National Retail Federation (NRF), in research with Appriss, has spelled it out in stark terms: total returns for the retail industry amounted to $743 billion in merchandise in 2023. In addition, the total return rate as a percentage of sales in 2023 was 14.5 percent ..read more

Mastering inventory for special events and seasonality is a key ongoing challenge for retailers of every kind and size. The ebb and flow of sales during festive seasons, promotions, shopping days, and holidays can pose significant hurdles for inventory management. Retailers often find themselves grappling with excess inventory after a season or scrambling to meet ..read more

Small business owners increasingly use advanced generative artificial intelligence tools to enhance digital marketing strategies and maintain a competitive edge. iStock’s VisualGPS research reveals that 42 percent of SMBs and SMEs already leverage AI-generated content to strengthen their online presence, highlighting a growing recognition of AI’s potential for e-commerce success. Learning about the data that ..read more

Kohl’s customers can now get same-day delivery thanks to a partnership between the department store chain and Instacart, the companies reported last week. Customers can now place scheduled or same-day delivery orders for 1,172 Kohl’s locations nationwide. Kohl’s rewards can also be earned through Instacart purchases . “With Kohl’s as one of the first department ..read more

Macy’s has chosen 26 entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities for its 2024 vendor accelerator program, known as “The Workshop at Macy’s,” reports Yahoo Finance. Each participant completing the program receives a $5,000 business grant, and the winner of a pitch contest will get a $100,000 grant, per a Macy’s press release. In addition to getting access ..read more

Customer motivations were long regarded as an unmeasurable mystery for retailers. However, the retail industry’s embrace of physical-digital shopping experiences has changed that, putting “shopper preferences” firmly in the camp of measurable metrics. These insights have helped retailers develop a more nuanced understanding of their shoppers’ needs and preferences in the context of the sales ..read more