How apparel brands are scaling quality without slowing speed to market

by Nicole Brackett — Senior Account Executive, North America and France, TradeBeyond

The brands best positioned for the next phase of retail competition are those treating quality as a continuous, data-driven capability rather than a reactive…

The new chapter of bookstores: From retail to experience

by Clare Jones — Outreach Manager, CUSTOM NEON PTY LTD

Retail as we know it is shifting. Across industries, stores are no longer just points of sale, they’re experiences.

How accessible packaging is changing the retail experience

by Andy Meadows — Vice President of Product, Loftware

Walk through any store and you’ll see QR codes on packaging, connecting shoppers to recipes, promotions and brand information. But for millions of consumers…

Why the best retail technology makes associates more, not less, visible

by Tim McCracken Jr. — Chief Revenue Officer, SOLUM America

The human element isn't something you bolt on through training or policy alone. It's shaped by how the store operates day to day.

Mobility at the forefront: How mobile POS is redefining specialty retail

Mobile POS is reshaping specialty retail at the moment of decision. Retailers are equipping associates to assist customers, complete transactions anywhere in…

How leading retailers are re-thinking the role of the shopping cart

by Fraser Neil — Chief Sales Officer, Cust2Mate

The shopping cart has always been central to the store. In 2026, the retailers pulling ahead are the ones finally treating it as a strategic asset, not just a…

What makes luxury customer support operationally different

by Anna Bielikova — Chief Operations Officer, Simply Contact

Luxury support is not defined by politeness or its anticipatory nature. It stands out through operational control, speed of decisive action and agents who…

Customer experience horror stories and how better connection prevents them

by Lisa Orford — Global Vice President, Contact Center Product Management, 8x8, Inc.

Most customer experience “horror stories” don’t start with bad intentions. They start with good people working hard, but in disconnected systems.

From vending machines to autonomous retail: The evolution of grab and go shopping

Customers want physical shopping to feel as quick and simple as online purchasing. The demand has led to the rise of autonomous retail — stores where customers…

Reputation at checkout: How predictive AI helps retailers maintain trust in a crisis

by Ted Skinner — Vice President, Marketing, Fullintel

A crisis handled well can strengthen customer relationships by demonstrating responsiveness and accountability. Handled poorly, it becomes a digital record…

AI Is redefining the retail experience, but who owns the relationship?

by Adam Brotman — Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Forum3

As AI-powered assistants increasingly guide shoppers from discovery to purchase, the experience itself is being reshaped. It’s faster, more conversational, and…

Why retailers must secure transactional emails to combat scam threats

by Oliver Paetz — Head of Product Management, Transactional Email, Retarus

As online shopping continues to grow in scope and popularity, cyber criminals are finding new ways to exploit trust. For retailers, this is more than a…

The hidden customer experience cost of returns: Why apparel brands must rethink reverse logistics

by Jonathan Briggs — SVP of Sales, ShipMonk

Returns are no longer a back-office function. For apparel brands, they represent a defining moment in the customer relationship.

Why CX outcomes, not price cuts, will drive retail growth in 2026

by Banwari Agarwal — CEO Retail & CG and Digital Business, Sutherland Global

Staying competitive shouldn’t start with slashing prices. While discounts may deliver a short-term lift in revenue, they steadily erode margins and train…

5 factors driving increased bodycam adoption in retail in 2026 and beyond

by Alan Ring — CEO, HALOS Body Cameras

Body-worn cameras aren’t a cure-all, but they provide a powerful foundation for addressing pressures such as rising aggression, theft tactics and meeting…

Retail’s big reset: Why 2026 will separate brands that execute from brands that just plan

The brands that win in 2026 will be the ones that execute — consistently, visibly, and without excuses.

The art of retail storytelling: Elevating hospitality through meaningful experiences

Explore how storytelling is reshaping the retail experience by turning stores into meaningful, hospitality-driven destinations.

Why most brands lose their best BFCM customers and how to fix it in 2026

by Kait Stephens — CEO & Co-Founder, Brij

Your best customers from 2025? They’re already out there. You just need to make sure they’re not invisible the next time they show up.

How to make every shopping experience memorable

Explore how retailers can elevate customer engagement by blending physical and digital channels into seamless, memorable shopping experiences.

Stopping fraud without sacrificing customer experience: A real-time playbook for modern retail

by Bill Bruno — CEO, Celebrus

If your fraud strategy currently prioritizes protection over experience or vice versa, it’s time to rethink the balance. Modern fraud prevention should do…