What economic data tells us about the retail industry in 2020

by Megan Higgins — VP and GM, eCommerce and Marketplaces, Avalara

Megan Higgins, VP/GM, eCommerce and Marketplaces, at Avalara, shares insight on trends and economic changes from the Avalara Commerce Monitor report.

Delivering on promotions: Why resilience is key to surviving growing online demand

Joe Farrell, managing director, EU Operations, at PFS, shares insight on why and how retailers should be capitalizing on the opportunities ahead and how…

Key 2020 holiday shopping takeaways: It’s imperative to adapt as customer expectations evolve

by Tara Bartley — Industry Marketing, Akamai

Tara Bartley, senior manager, industry marketing, and Ashitha Bhanu, industry marketing, Akamai, share Akamai data relating to the most recent holiday shopping…

Pandemic drives growth for online music retailer

February 2, 2021

The need to chill, relax and de-stress is a major factor in why one online music retailer enjoyed robust record growth in 2020.

UK shoppers missing the in-store retail experience

February 2, 2021

When it comes to in-store retail activity, a majority, 74%, of U.K. shoppers, are missing the physical brick-and-mortar customer experience.

Pandemic isn't thwarting love spend this Valentine's Day

February 2, 2021

While the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly changed consumer buying activity and disrupted daily life, it's not going to stop consumers from expressing their love…

China consumer spend to double in 9 years

February 1, 2021

China consumer spend will more than double by 2030, hitting $12.7 trillion, according to a Morgan Stanley analyst report.

How automation can help retailers digitally transform in the new year

Venu Kannan, global vice president, Domain and Applications Practice, UiPath, maps out reasons why retailers should be seriously considering automation to meet…

Retail store closures may hit new record this year

January 29, 2021

There could be as many of 10,000 retail store closures this year, which would set a new record.

How retailers can win big by embracing the digital consumer

by Beth VanStory — Partner & CMO, Chief Outsiders

Beth VanStory, a partner and CMO with Chief Outsiders, explains why retailers, from marketing to merchandising to delivery and customer service, must meet…

Vaccine won't propel consumers back to retail stores, claims survey

January 27, 2021

As millions of consumers are being vaccinated to combat the COVID-19 virus it's not likely too many will be increasing trips to retail stores.

2020: The year a pandemic changed the payments ecosystem

by Bethany Ewing

Bethany Ewing, principal, customer marketing, mobile payments lead, Deloitte Digital, and Peter Pearce, senior manager of financial services strategy at…

Godiva shuttering North America stores by April

January 26, 2021

Godiva will close all its 128 North America locations by the end of March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2 must-haves for building a robust customer experience in 2021

by John Kavulich — Vice President, IoT Solution Sales, Acuity Brands

John Kavulich, VP, IoT Solution Sales, Acuity Brands Lighting, Inc., shares why the new year is when retailers should reflect on the 2020 learnings and that…

Pandemic propels big spike in customer service calls

January 25, 2021

The increased use of online shopping led to a huge spike, 69%, in customer service call volumes during 2020 as COVID-19 spread throughout the world, according…

TTEC, Schwan’s launch customer engagement center

January 22, 2021

TTEC Holdings Inc., a customer experience solution provider, has partnered with Schwan's Home Delivery to meet an increasing number of customer requests for…

3 ways retailers must pivot in 2021

by Anthony Ng Monica

Anthony Ng Monica, CEO of Swogo, says the good news for retailers heading into the new year is that there are strategies to help the accelerated digital…

Pandemic didn't deter holiday sales

January 19, 2021

The retail holiday sales in late 2020 hit an unexpected high point given a 8.3% spike compared to the previous year, according to the National Retail…

A glimpse into 2021 retail: The times they (will continue) a-changin'

As the wild and bumpy ride known as 2020 comes to a close, David Wilkinson, president and general manager, NCR Retail, takes a look at some of those changes…

Seize the new year with 6 lessons from the COVID-19 holiday rush

Mike Chou, director of business development at Harbor Retail, shares six lessons retailers can learn from the COVID-19 impact on the 2020 holiday sales season.