Retail news and archive

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...

Retail

M&S calls for strong policing as retail crime escalates across UK high streets

Marks & Spencer has called for urgent government action to tackle rising retail crime, warning that increasing violence and theft are eroding confidence in UK high streets. In a statement, the department store’s retail director Thinus Keeve said crime in stores is becoming “more brazen, more organised and more aggressive”, with frontline retail...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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Business

US retail sales decline

US retail sales weakened at the start of the year. They fell by 0.2 percent month-on-month in January, as the Department of Commerce announced in Washington on Friday. The retail sector is of great importance to the US economy. Economists had, on average, anticipated a slightly stronger sales decline of 0.3 percent. In the previous month,...

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Business

Retail's revolving door: Why fashion can't hold on to its workers

Around 2.4 percent of UK workers change jobs in an average month, according to new analysis from Indeed. That figure might sound modest. But buried inside it is a fault line that runs straight through the fashion industry. In retail, 82 percent of workers who switch jobs leave the sector entirely. In hospitality and tourism, which overlaps...

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Business

UK Spring Forecast 2026: Economic outlook for retail businesses

The UK government has set out its new Spring Forecast 2026, with chancellor Rachel Reeves telling Parliament that her economic plan is “the right one” for a more uncertain world. For retail businesses, the key talking points were reports of inflation falling, borrowing allegedly being lower than expected, and household incomes that are...

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People|Interview

Loes Bakker, HR and coach at Tally-ho: “I have a different job every day, at the same company”

What does she enjoy most about her work? Loes Bakker, HR and coach at fashion retailer Tally-ho, does not need to think for long. “I derive real happiness from the in-depth coaching conversations with our managers,” she says. “They can even move me to tears, especially when things fall into place.” She also mentions her freedom. “I use Mondays...