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Updates from across the retail industry 🛍️ REI: Launching its AI-powered inventory system to optimize in-store and online stock availability, improving efficiency and reducing overstock by 15% Superdry: Announced a strategic partnership with digital payments firm Klarna to offer flexible payment solutions and drive online sales growth in 2025 Lidl GB: Set to invest €2 billion in store refurbishments across Europe, including energy-efficient lighting and self-checkout technology to enhance the customer experience GameStop: Reports a 9% decline in Q3 revenue but signals a digital transformation push with blockchain integration into its online marketplace Marks and Spencer: Piloting AI-driven virtual fitting rooms in select stores to boost customer satisfaction and reduce clothing returns by up to 20% LUSH: Announced a shift to plastic-free packaging for its holiday 2025 collection, aligning with its ongoing sustainability goals JD Sports Fashion: Expanding its North American presence by acquiring US-based sneaker retailer Shoe Palace for $500 million SEPHORA: Rolling out a new mobile app in Asia with AI-powered personalized skincare consultations to enhance customer engagement Dunelm: Announced a 12% increase in online sales for the first half of FY24 after implementing AI-powered personalized marketing tools. Inditex: Committing €300 million to expand its eco-friendly logistics centres to support Zara’s carbon-neutral goals by 2030 Follow WeTech for more insights and updates like this from Ben Gibbins our tech team leader! #RetailInnovation #AITransformation #SustainabilityGoals #DigitalCommerce #WeTech

Here are some of yesterday’s updates from across the retail industry for 17th December 2024 🛍️🛍️🛍️ REI: Launching its AI-powered inventory system to optimize in-store and online stock availability, improving efficiency and reducing overstock by 15% Superdry: Announced a strategic partnership with digital payments firm Klarna to offer flexible payment solutions and drive online sales growth in 2025 Lidl GB: Set to invest €2 billion in store refurbishments across Europe, including energy-efficient lighting and self-checkout technology to enhance the customer experience GameStop: Reports a 9% decline in Q3 revenue but signals a digital transformation push with blockchain integration into its online marketplace Marks and Spencer: Piloting AI-driven virtual fitting rooms in select stores to boost customer satisfaction and reduce clothing returns by up to 20% LUSH: Announced a shift to plastic-free packaging for its holiday 2025 collection, aligning with its ongoing sustainability goals JD Sports Fashion: Expanding its North American presence by acquiring US-based sneaker retailer Shoe Palace for $500 million SEPHORA: Rolling out a new mobile app in Asia with AI-powered personalized skincare consultations to enhance customer engagement Dunelm: Announced a 12% increase in online sales for the first half of FY24 after implementing AI-powered personalized marketing tools. Inditex: Committing €300 million to expand its eco-friendly logistics centers to support Zara’s carbon-neutral goals by 2030

Here are retail industry updates from today, 1st December 2024: 🛍️🛍️🛍️ Walmart: Walmart announced a strategic expansion into social commerce by integrating its platform with TikTok to boost live shopping experiences, aiming to capture younger demographics Zalando: The German fashion retailer introduced advanced personalization features using AI to drive customer loyalty, enhancing product recommendations and streamlining returns Marks and Spencer: M&S reported an increase in digital sales by 12% YoY, driven by its upgraded mobile app and AI-based predictive inventory system lululemon: Plans to open 20 new stores across Asia in 2024 as part of its international growth strategy, capitalizing on its Athleisure category’s momentum Unilever: Invested in circular economy tech, launching initiatives for sustainable packaging with a focus on refillable and biodegradable options IKEA: Announced its pilot for an automated checkout system powered by computer vision across select European locations Macy's: Unveiled plans to leverage AI-driven inventory management systems to reduce overstock and improve margins during the holiday season Tesco: Partnered with renewable energy firms to power 100% of its stores and warehouses with sustainable energy by 2025 SEPHORA: Expanded its loyalty program to include NFT-based rewards in collaboration with blockchain platforms, targeting tech-savvy consumers Target: Focused on micro-fulfillment centers to speed up e-commerce deliveries, with 10 new facilities planned for 2024 H&M: Accelerating its digital-first strategy with a new resale platform to encourage secondhand fashion purchases Carrefour: Rolled out a new blockchain-based system for food traceability across its supply chain to improve transparency Inditex: Announced investments in AI-powered design tools to accelerate the development of its seasonal collections

Here are some retail industry updates for December 20, 2024 🛍️🛍️🛍️ Primark: Launching a new digital click-and-collect service in 25 more stores across the UK, expanding its online offering. Levi Strauss & Co.: Announced plans to integrate AI-powered denim customization kiosks in select flagship stores globally by mid-2025. Asda: Investing £40 million into its green energy initiative, aiming to add solar panels to 200 more stores. SEPHORA: Expanding its partnership with Klarna to offer flexible payment options across European markets. Matalan: Reopening six revamped stores as part of its £25 million refurbishment program to enhance customer experience. IKEA: Introducing in-store AR features that allow customers to visualize furniture in their homes before purchase. Lidl in Germany: Rolling out its ‘smart store’ concept to 50 more locations in Europe, featuring AI-driven stock management. Superdry: Partnering with a logistics tech firm to streamline its global supply chain and reduce delivery times. H&M: Piloting AI-powered style recommendations in its mobile app to drive personalization and boost online sales. Victoria’s Secret & Co.: Launching a new body-positive campaign alongside a size-inclusive product line in 2025. JD Sports Fashion: Acquiring a majority stake in a French sneaker chain to expand its presence in the European market. REWE Group: Partnering with a robotics company to test autonomous delivery bots in urban areas. Bath & Body Works: Announced a subscription service for its fragrance products to drive customer loyalty.

Here are some updates from across the retail industry for December 6, 2024 🛍️🛍️🛍️ Primark has announced the opening of four new international stores, strengthening its global footprint and focusing on cost-effective fashion offerings Marks and Spencer is launching a new loyalty program aimed at rewarding customers with exclusive discounts and experiences to boost engagement during the holiday season IKEA has started offering furniture rental services in select European markets, targeting sustainable consumption habits among urban consumers True Fit has become Shopify’s first certified Shopify Plus app for fit and sizing, streamlining e-commerce personalization for fashion brands Carrefour unveiled a new automated warehouse in Spain, powered by robotics and AI, to improve inventory management and speed up deliveries Walmart announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud to integrate generative AI tools into its e-commerce platform for personalized customer experiences Target has piloted checkout-free stores using computer vision, aiming for a faster and seamless shopping experience for customers Zalando launched a new initiative promoting secondhand apparel with enhanced quality controls, tapping into the growing circular economy trend UNIQLO expanded its sustainability program with additional recycling drop-off locations, encouraging customers to return used clothing for reuse

Here are a few of today’s retail industry updates for December 9, 2024 🛍️🛍️🛍️ ASOS The online fashion retailer is exploring AI-driven inventory management to optimize warehouse efficiency and reduce overstock Wayfair: The home goods e-commerce giant announced a 15% increase in revenue for Q3 2024, attributing growth to expanded offerings in AR-assisted furniture shopping and a focus on personalized customer experiences Dollar Tree Stores: Dollar Tree has launched a new pilot program testing cashier-less stores with AI-powered self-checkout stations. Early trials in select states are yielding positive feedback from customers seeking faster checkout options JD Sports Fashion: The retailer plans to expand its US presence by opening 50 new stores in 2025, targeting mall locations and urban centers. This strategy follows record-breaking Black Friday sales in North America Carrefour: Carrefour is scaling its investment in robotic automation, adding AI-driven picking robots to its Madrid warehouse. This move aims to improve e-commerce order processing times by 30% UNIQLO : Uniqlo has integrated heat-mapping AI in its flagship stores to analyze foot traffic and enhance product placement strategies, optimizing sales across its winter collection Bath & Body Works: The retailer reported a 7% rise in Q4 sales, driven by a revamped loyalty program and the introduction of a premium fragrance line. E-commerce sales accounted for 30% of total revenue lululemon: Lululemon revealed plans to launch its first virtual fitness studio in 2025, leveraging its acquisition of Mirror to expand its connected fitness offerings Morrisons: The supermarket chain is trialing drone deliveries in collaboration with a tech startup, focusing on rural areas to enhance accessibility for online grocery shoppers Zalando: The fashion platform reported a 12% year-on-year increase in Q3 sales, crediting its success to AI-powered personalized recommendations for customers Levi Strauss & Co.: Levi’s is expanding its circular fashion program, offering discounts for customers who return used jeans for recycling. The initiative supports its sustainability goals Marks and Spencer: The retailer is rolling out a smart fitting room pilot in select stores, incorporating AR mirrors to help customers visualize outfits H&M: H&M is testing blockchain technology for tracking supply chain transparency in its Conscious Collection, enhancing customer trust in its sustainable practices

Yesterday, Thursday, March 21st, the 12th edition of the #Retail Forum took place, a reference #congress for the world of Retail in Spain. This morning, reading about the congress, I have seen that everyone #highlights the following issues: - #AI Artificial Intelligence: how artificial intelligence is going to transform the retail industry in the coming years. - #Hyperpersonalization: lately companies talked about the creation of autonomous shopping, where consumers use automated services, such as contactless payment systems, to streamline the shopping experience and mobility... However, currently many companies highlight the importance of a focus on personalized commerce, valuing friendliness and human contact, as well as personalization. - #Omnichannel: the importance of having different channels, depending on the type of audience you want to target and the moment when that audience wants to visit or buy the brand. Curious to see how retail will evolve in the coming years. I believe that the changes are going to be significant (specially in physical stores). Personally, I detest the model that Zara España , for example, has evolved into: a single huge store in #Bilbao, which in my opinion is always too crowded and has too much inventory on display. It overwhelms me, and my purchases at Zara have significantly decreased since they changed their store model. On the contrary, I love the change that El Corte Inglés has made in Bilbao. — En comentarios el enlace a una notica resumen del congreso de Retail en español 👇🏻

𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐊 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 5𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐛𝐲 𝐆𝐒1 𝐔𝐊. Smart QR codes will give every product the ability to provide consumers instant access to comprehensive online information and also 'go beep at the till'. 41% of leading UK #retail executives say smart QR codes will replace the linear barcode within five years. If it were to come true, retailers who have not invested in their online stores for SEO and product Information and #omnichannel will face another stage of decline v/s those who are powered by #AI QR codes on products are now being tested in 48 countries with the aim of ensuring a comprehensive rollout by 2027. Leading household brands including PepsiCo, Walmart, Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal, and Amazon are already onboard. Smart QR code is replacing the barcode to become the “‘de facto standard for identifying your product at SKU level and also augmenting information about the product.” at Morrisons 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 2025 Today scanning a product using visual search app Google Lens often takes customers to a competitor's website even when they are inside the store, enabling comparative price shopping. If the product is locked and the online store or same day delivery #quickcommerce platform such as Ocado Retail or Tesco if offers cheaper prices with home delivery, resulting in lost car conversion and customers. In 2025 poor investments will result in showrooming by grocery customers who will walk-in but will shop online- a behavior already seen in apparel and fashion industry.

The retail trade industry encompasses businesses involved in the sale of goods and services to consumers for personal or household use. It covers a vast array of products and services across various sectors, including clothing, electronics, groceries, furniture, automobiles, and more. Retailers can operate through brick-and-mortar stores, online platforms, or a combination of both (omnichannel approach). The retail industry continuously evolves due to changing consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and economic shifts. Adaptability, innovation, and understanding of consumer preferences are key factors for success in this dynamic sector. https://lnkd.in/eJXsjK-m

Interesting debate this morning at eTail EU connect. I don’t think we will lose physical shopping completely - for two reasons, 1) many humans like tactile shopping - how does a wooden toy or a piece of furniture feel, for example, 2) many services cannot be provided online (hairdressing or nail salons for example). But, I think online and virtual shopping will eat old fashioned retail which doesn’t innovate over the next few years. Moving from the uk to Germany it’s been noticeable how different it is here - a bit like the Uk in the 1990’s - still large department stores, rather than the fast fashion stores the uk has - pharmacies & bookshops protected by govt legislation rather than a consumer first approach, and the lack of online grocery shopping outside the big cities. It will be interesting to see whether these markets will be disrupted by innovation (or be allowed to be disrupted) - as UK groceries were by Ocado, or uk chemists by the supermarkets generally for example. What do you think? #retail #future #ecommerce #omnichannel