Retail news and archive

How AI is redefining the role of physical stores, and what retailers should know

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only changing how we shop online, but it's also transforming physical retail. While stores are still viewed as essential “anchors” for commerce in 2030, AI, together with shifting consumer behaviours, continues to reshape the purpose of physical retail. A new study released by ICSC and McKinsey & Company,...

Member

Business

The Children's Place partners with Al Othaim for Saudi Arabia re-enty

Children's wear retailer The Children's Place has entered into a new strategic partnership with Al Othaim Life Company to re-enter the Saudi Arabian market, with initial store openings planned for later this year, including a flagship store in Riyadh. The partnership represents a significant milestone in The Children's Place's broader...

Retail

H&M launches on Nordstrom Marketplace, marking its debut on a US retail marketplace

Swedish fashion giant H&M has launched on Nordstrom Marketplace, the department store chain's curated third-party platform, available on Nordstrom.com and its app, as it looks to expand its reach across the United States. The move marks H&M's US retail marketplace debut. "Our launch on Nordstrom Marketplace marks an important step in making H&M...

Featured

Retail|Interview

Retail reset: Why Gen Z is forcing a rethink of stores, space and strategy

The US retail landscape is undergoing a structural reset. From the bankruptcy of Saks Global to real estate downsizing and the reinvention of New York’s Fifth Avenue, the sector is shifting away from scale in favour of precision. At the same time, the evolution of mixed-use developments and experiential retail hubs is redefining how physical...

FeaturedMember

Retail|CEO interview

Sporthaus Schuster adopts head-to-toe approach for cycling apparel

Community rides, new brands and a growing interest in races beyond the Tour de France show that cycling has become a trend sport, much like running. It inspires both city dwellers and people in the countryside. Sporthaus Schuster - a renowned, family-owned sporting goods retailer based in Munich, Germany - has recognised this and realigned its...

Retail

Skechers launches debut Proto hologram retail experience in Los Angeles

Footwear and apparel brand Skechers has launched its debut permanent proto hologram retail experience at its Manhattan Beach store in Los Angeles. The experience sees Skechers brand ambassador Howie Mandel ‘brought to life’ via an interactive, immersive 3D hologram installation. Said to be among the first permanent proto-hologram installations...

FeaturedMember

Business|Interview

The Do’s and Don’ts of opening a physical retail store: Community, identity and strategic decisions

Buenos Aires - For Peruvian designer Annaiss Yucra, opening her first physical store recent was not an impulsive decision, but the result of a process built over time—shaped by textile heritage, experimentation and commercial validation. In today’s digital era, where many brands are born and grow through social media, physical retail continues...

Retail

Study: European retail grapples with AI implementation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is regarded as a key future technology in European retail. However, a recent study by London-based market research firm Retail Economics and Swedish technology provider Voyado reveals a significant gap between strategic ambition and practical implementation within the sector. The report, “The State of AI in European...

Featured

Retail|REPORT

When AI shares incorrect information, 58 percent of shoppers blame the brand

It’s no big secret that artificial intelligence is changing the face of retail. Applicable at nearly every stage of the broader product lifecycle, more and more consumers across the globe are using large language models (LLMs) from ChatGPT to Gemini for online shopping. Turning to AI to discover, compare, and select which products from which...

Retail|BACKGROUND

From sensory stress to satisfaction: A guide to making retail more neuro-inclusive

How often does a retailer view their own store through the lens of a neurodivergent person? An entrepreneur does not need to be told that a pleasant and welcoming environment is good for sales. However, what constitutes a pleasant environment for neurodivergent individuals can differ significantly from the retail concepts currently found on the...

Featured

Retail

Vivobarefoot to open its first-ever US flagship store in New York City

British footwear brand Vivobarefoot is set to open its debut flagship store in the United States in New York City. Located in the trendy neighborhood of SoHo, the new 1,500 square foot store will open in June 2026, months after the functional footwear brand opened its regional headquarters in the US in Austin, Texas. The debut US flagship marks...

People|Interview

Elodie Janse (HR Omoda and Assem): “Not everything needs to be put into policy”

When asked what her work day looks like, Elodie Janse, HR manager at Dutch fashion and shoe retailers Omoda and Assem, laughs: “My husband sometimes asks that too.” “It strongly depends on what we as a company are working on at that moment.” This quarter, the agenda includes the integration of a recent acquisition of Dutch fashion retailer Mijn...