Trends & External Forces

Articles on retail trends and external forces impacting retail (from weather to COVID to governmental regulations)

  1. Trends & External Forces
Happy employees create a more successful retail environment, but one survey has found that nearly one in every two frontline employees are unhappy with their job due to low pay, inflexible hours, poor leadership and a lack of growth opportunities. As the retail industry continues to struggle with high employee turnover, Best Buy and Hot Topic are tackling […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Abracadabra! Small pharmacies have ghosted Medicare Part D’s preferred networks—no farewell party, no breakup text, just a quiet exit. A few months ago , DCI highlighted how the largest pharmacy chains are participating as preferred cost sharing pharmacies in the 2025 stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) networks. Today, we update our exclusive analysis of how […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Generative AI (GenAI) has rapidly gained popularity, especially with breakthroughs like OpenAI’s ChatGPT and DALL-E. This technology enhances work efficiency and could address labor shortages, with 44% of Dutch jobs highly exposed to GenAI. Education is also transforming, with students using ChatGPT for assignments, prompting universities to integrate the technology constructively. Interest in GenAI is […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
In the world of product startups, crowdfunding has become a popular way to finance and gauge interest in innovative products. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo have turned dreams into reality for countless inventors and entrepreneurs. But what happens when a crowdfunding campaign doesn’t hit its target? Is it the end of the road for your […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Over the last two-and-a-half years, retailers have been forced to contend with a disturbing escalation in both the volume and seriousness of incidents happening in stores, and it is only getting worse. The Scottish government’s own statistics published in November last year highlighted a staggering… This story continues at Crime still gets worse | Viewpoint: […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
In a vote last week, employees at an Amazon warehouse in Garner, N.C. voted 2,447 to 829 against joining an employee-led union, Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), according to The New York Times and multiple media outlets. CAUSE, formed in 2022, is seeking longer lunch breaks, increased vacation time and starting wages […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Hightouch, a composable CDP and AI decisioning platform, has raised an $80 million Series C investment round at a valuation of $1.2 billion. This was led by Sapphire Ventures, with participation from NVC, Amplify Ventures, ICONIQ Growth, and Bain Capital Ventures. Sapphire Ventures Partner Rajeev Dham will join the Hightouch board. The investment will help […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
With the rise of generative AI, the top of the marketing funnel is getting more complex. The digital marketing funnel from search to consideration to purchase is fragmenting into exploration across more varied digital channels, making it more challenging to capture a consumer’s attention and lead them where we want them to go. More and […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  Wawa’s $5 Big Breakfast Deal Redefines Value, Speed & Convenience Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® knows a winning foodservice formula when he sees one, and Wawa’s latest move is set to shake up the breakfast game. From February 17 through March 24, Wawa is rolling out its unbeatable $5 […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  RaceTrac Inc. continues to expand its foodservice menu, but rather than leveraging its platform to propel the industry forward with fresh, consumer-relevant food trends, the retailer remains anchored in legacy offerings that reflect consumer familiarity according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The latest example? Taco Pizza—a fusion of […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
We’re joined by fellow Retail Voices by NRF honoree Kevin Ervin Kelley to unpack some of the key lessons from his remarkable book Irreplaceable: Creating Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together and his recent NRF “Big Show” talk. We discuss how physical retail must dramatically evolve in an ever more digital world, the “Bonfire Effect,” his […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
In the complex world of product distribution, maintaining a harmonious relationship between distributors and manufacturers is essential for business success. However, this partnership is not without its challenges. From inconsistent product quality to communication gaps, distributors often face hurdles that can impact their operations and reputation. Understanding these challenges is crucial for manufacturers who strive […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Pricer and Focal Systems have annnounced a partnership focused on accelerating the digitisation and optimisation of physical retail stores.   This brings together Pricer’s dynamic pricing and shelf-edge communication expertise with 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards winner Focal Systems’ computer vision and product availability solutions. By integrating Focal Systems’ AI powered shelf vision cameras with Pricer’s […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
The pressures on retailers to seamlessly fulfill orders across physical stores, online platforms and mobile apps continue to intensify. Whether shipping directly to customers’ homes, enabling curbside pickup or restocking store shelves, consistently improving speed, accuracy and adaptability is crucial for meeting shopper expectations and maintaining market share. As digital commerce expands and consumers increasingly […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
BAT UK’s London regional manager will be among the speakers at next month’s Talking Retail Live. Warren Scanlan will talk during the session What’s Next for Nicotine Products? at the event taking place at London’s Kia Oval on 27 March. This session will explore the evolving… This story continues at BAT to discuss future on nicotine […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
The Scottish government has called on Westminster to reconsider the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions, warning that it would seriously hinder plans for growth. Employment and investment minister Tom Arthur believes the move will negatively impact consumers and Scotland’s economy. It’s claimed that the measure, announced by chancellor… This story continues at Scottish govt urges NI hike reconsideration […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Landsec has extended its partnership with Ocean Outdoor which manages the digital out of home (DOOH) contract for Piccadilly Lights in London. Under the terms of the agreement, Ocean will continue to manage content for the advertising DOOH screen well into the next decade, and work with Landsec on The Venue which sits beneath the […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Introduction: The wire and cable industry is not just about connecting devices or transferring electricity; it’s about powering economies and shaping a sustainable future. With innovations transforming the landscape, the market for wires and cables is witnessing rapid growth, thanks to cutting-edge materials, advanced technologies, and evolving global demands. In this article, we’ll explore the […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  The restaurant industry is set to maintain its upward trajectory, outpacing other food retail sectors and solidifying its role as a dominant force in the U.S. economy. After surpassing $1 trillion in sales for the first time in 2024, the National Restaurant Association projects an even stronger 2025, with sales expected to hit $1.5 […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Illustration by Lemmywinks via Midjourney. We have entered an age of de-Bossification. In many industries, particularly “White-collar” ones, the era of “bosses” is in decline. Less of a clamoring for boss like traits of controlling, managing, measuring, allocating, evaluating and checking in. There is a rise in the need for leaders and their traits of […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Introduction As technology advances, devices are becoming more powerful, compact, and energy efficient. However, this increase in performance comes with a major challenge—heat management. Overheating can degrade device performance, reduce lifespan, and even lead to system failures. This is where Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) play a crucial role. TIMs are designed to enhance heat dissipation […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Whether big or small in scale, influencer campaigns have had proven success in raising a beauty brand’s profile and driving sales, especially among younger generations scrolling through TikTok for the lowdown on the latest aesthetic. However, for challenger brands, these ‘pay-to-play’ spaces are dominated by household names with bigger budgets that ensure them (and their […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  Interactive, participatory fresh food experiences—particularly those featuring hand-held food for immediate consumption—continue to captivate consumers across all demographics, especially Millennials seeking discovery. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, brands that fuse dining with immersive entertainment are driving innovation and securing long-term consumer engagement. Topgolf is a prime example of […]

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  1. Trends & External Forces
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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