The Retail Bulletin

📣We were delighted to welcome so many new faces to our debut ECOM NORTH in Manchester yesterday… Thank you to our talented retail speakers, who all shared their golden nuggets with delegates. • We heard how Pets at Home is utilising AI to efficiently record pet consultations 🐕🩺 • TikTok Shop using AI for product optimisation, music trends + market research - but ultimately people buy from people and authenticity is key. • We talked about Stability AI, brand monitoring services and ownership for image licence. • Sociate AI transforming basic product identification to delivering a context-aware shopping experience that understands customer style and needs 🛍️ Our speakers agreed that AI chatbots are valuable for helping customers, but retailers need to be careful when automating the brand voice. It needs a unique personality to connect with customers.🗣️ So much more was discussed… All in all a fantastic day! #ecomnorth #ecommerce #retailevent

📣Omnichannel Futures brought an immense tapestry of fresh ideas from over 30 retail brands to our highly engaged delegates yesterday!💫 • Ann Summers CEO Maria Hollins emphasised the need for physical retail stores - especially with new limitations of online constraints and safe search. • Getting to know individual’s behaviours, and providing meaningful perks as demonstrated by COOK Trading Ltd and American Golf, keeps customers returning. • Security and employee safety: Panellists agreed that body worn cameras help alleviate increased colleague stress in-store.🎦 • Fishpools LTD are effective at using AI tech to transcribe voice calls into notes for customers.☎️📝 • The sensory nature of retail stores still holds great value to allow customers to feel / taste products in-person, like at Bird & Blend Tea Co. B Corp.🫖✨ • Inflation and the impact of the budget: Helen Dickinson, CEO of British Retail Consortium said she had witnessed a great wave of solutions introduced by retailers, showing their resilience.🙌 • Technology opens new avenues for driving speed and efficiency, but it’s the human connection that ultimately wins customer loyalty. #OmnichannelFutures #liveinlondon

All set up and ready for The Retail Bulletin Omnichannel Futures Conference 2025. We’re looking forward to meeting fellow omnichannel experts and exploring the future of retail. Joining the morning panel at 09:50am we have Mark Guest, Managing Director - Retail, Concentrix, discussing ‘A digital roadmap to ensure future omnichannel success and brand growth.’ If you’re here, visit our stand in the main networking hall and say hi! #Concentrix #Retail #Omnichannel #Technology #AI Samantha Williams, Ekin Tutan

Great opening panel at The Retail Bulletin Omnichannel Futures Conference with Darren Sanderson-Williams General Manager Specsavers with Maria Hollins CEO Ann Summers and Helen Dickinson CEO British Retail Consortium On the BRC and the Crime and Policing Bill: "I think the concern is that there's wider societal challenges at play here that don't just affect retail, but certainly closer to home" On the Ann Summers business and Google: "Safesearch means that it's really hard for us to acquire new customers. But go to Amazon and you'll see far more risqué products" #Omnichannelfutures #retail #crimeandpolicing #safesearch

📢Less 24 hours until Omnichannel Futures, with only a handful of free places remaining.🎫 https://lnkd.in/eb7ESbjV We’re excited to hear from Matthew Heptonstall at Reveal Media and Brittany Wright at Lightspeed Commerce speaking on the panel! #Omnichannel #boostinggrowth

🗨️Comment by Glynn Davis: Greengrocers showing shoots of growth🌱 Think of greengrocers and images of old-school stores and market stalls spring to mind, which have largely been usurped over the years by the major supermarkets, but there are shoots of growth in the category. Read Here👇#greengrocers

ASOS.com has launched a new premium brand called Arrange. Arrange offers a capsule collection of occasion dresses and “luxe essentials” with each piece designed and pattern-cut in-house from premium materials. Signature design details include oversized paillettes, hand-painted prints, bold colours and experimental silhouettes. Vanessa Spence #asos #retailnews

🍷Chapel Down Group has appointed Louan M. as its new chief financial officer. Until last month, Mouton was chief financial officer at Typhoo Tea and prior to that was group finance director at Fever-Tree Drinks. He has also previously worked with Natural Capital Partners, BHP Billiton and Deloitte. Read Here👇Martin Glenn #retailnews

🗞️B&Q will be increasing its UK minimum hourly rate of pay for store staff to £12.71 per hour and its London rate to up to £14.05 per hour. Read Here👇Graham Bell Claudia Thomas Jane Sell #retailnews #retail

Independent tea company Bird & Blend Tea Co. B Corp. has teamed up with Mr Men & Little Miss Confectionery to create 2 happiness-inspired blends: Mr. Happy Tea and Little Miss Sunshine Tea⛅ 📗With Mr. Men Little Miss holding a special place in the hearts of children and parents alike, the new range offers fans a nostalgic treat, allowing them to sip a little happiness with every cup.☕ Read Here. Mike Turner Krisi Smith Meg Fenn