60% of US retail professionals say charging customers for returns has resulted in an increase of adoption in their free return methods, while 54% say it has cut down on return rates, according to a September 2024 survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Happy Returns.
Instead of casting a wide net on social platforms and pursuing the creators with the highest follower accounts, marketers are now more focused on resonating with the right audience.
India’s weak consumer purchasing power: The country’s slowing economic momentum presents a challenge for retailers and brands relying on the market for growth.
Kohl’s new CEO faces a tough challenge: The department store’s sales have declined for 11 consecutive quarters as it struggled to attract new shoppers without alienating long-standing customers.
Trump’s first days in office exacerbate uncertainty over tariff plans: While Mexico and Canada are firmly in the administration’s sights, other tariffs are up in the air.
Sephora’s new Hulu docuseries examines the dynamic interplay between beauty and music: The show is part of a broader strategy to meet consumers wherever they are.
The AI agent era is here: Businesses are using AI agents to streamline operations and reduce staffing costs. As adoption rises, balancing efficiency with customer trust will be the real challenge.
A lot can happen in a week. Rue21’s customer overlap with TikTok Shop could position the brand to benefit from a potential TikTok ban. Meanwhile, Gen Z consumers are increasingly choosing alcohol-free lifestyles, reflecting health-conscious preferences. Cost-consciousness drives brand switching, but convenience remains key in purchase decisions. Here are five stats that caught our eye this week.
Private labels ate into national brands’ share in 2024: That reflects a continued trend as store brand unit sales have risen 2.3% since 2021, while national brands have declined 6.8%.
Walmart’s brand refresh reflects its retail evolution: Its visual update accompanies initiatives to enhance ecommerce capabilities and lure more affluent and Gen Z shoppers.
Thailand finds itself in the luxury spotlight as China’s luster fades: The country’s booming luxury travel market and growing number of ultra-wealthy shoppers is heightening the appeal.
Cracker Barrel led all US flowers, gifts, and greetings retailers with 5.8 million unique visitors in November 2024, according to Comscore.
President-elect Donald Trump's second term promises profound shifts across commerce, technology, and regulation that will reshape how businesses operate and consumers behave. As the president-elect prepares to take office, his policy priorities are already triggering market reactions and pivots from major corporations.
The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Big Show closed earlier this week, bringing together retailers, tech companies, and industry experts to discuss the future of retail. Key takeaways included Gen Z’s influence on shopping, which will last even if TikTok goes away, the accelerating trend cycle, hesitation to adopt new payment technologies, and the transformation of digital grocery. Here are four takeaways from the event.
Healthy consumer spending and higher interest income drove gains. But consumers’ financial health isn’t on a glide path yet
Partnership negotiations will have to deal with the program’s list of hurdles
The enforcement action provides closure that could help boost the P2P app’s customer satisfaction in the long run
EV sales set a volume record in Q4: While sales jumped 15.2% YoY, momentum may slow this year if Republicans keep their pledge to repeal or scale back incentives.
Solid December sales cap a year of healthy retail growth: But 2025 could be a different story, as tariff concerns keep all but the wealthiest consumers from spending freely.
Best Buy takes another stab at an online marketplace: The consumer electronics giant, which operated a marketplace from 2011 to 2016, aims to align the marketplace’s SKUs with its product mix.