Retail news and archive

Consumers predicted to spend record 38 billion US dollars this Mother's Day

This Sunday marks Mother’s Day, a global celebration that honors mothers and mother figures within families and friends as well as motherhood and maternal bonds. Dating back to the early 20th century in the United States, the day has evolved into a national holiday where it's common to give gifts to mothers in consumers' lives. And despite...

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Retail|Commentary

Programmed desire: how fashion stays desirable when AI fills the shopping basket

Fashion has always been about seduction, desire, belonging and differentiation. Aura, as people much younger than me call it. We covet a look, a feeling, a style, a lifestyle. This desire is triggered by inspiring people on social media, catwalks, in pop culture, advertising and within our circle of friends. The sources of this desire have...

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Retail

World Retail Congress: Fashion retail between an AI boost, consumer pressure and a new desire for connection

At the World Retail Congress (WRC), a look at current developments in fashion retail – between artificial intelligence (AI) and consumer pressure – revealed that the rules of the game are noticeably shifting. The decisive factor is how companies react and what priorities they derive from this. Before discussions on the WRC stages this week...

Retail

Emotional resonance: Art of shopkeeping in digital age

As the World Retail Congress (WRC) 2026 unfolds against the backdrop of ‘Retail’s Roadmap to 2030’, a high-level panel of industry veterans today asserted that the survival of physical retail depends not on matching the efficiency of algorithms, but on mastering the ‘art’ of the human connection. Leaders from KaDeWe and Coach as wel as the...

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People|Interview

Karlijn Hendriks, head of HR at Hunkemöller: “A little friction can be a good thing”

How important are people to Hunkemöller? “A designer will say ‘no product, no sales’; a property specialist ‘no stores, no shop window’; and marketing ‘no customers, no turnover’. Without the right people in the office and in the stores, however, absolutely nothing happens,” says Karlijn Hendriks, CHRO of Hunkemöller. “I firmly believe that...

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Retail|Report

How AI is redefining the role of physical stores, and what retailers should know

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only changing how we shop online, but it's also transforming physical retail. While stores are still viewed as essential “anchors” for commerce in 2030, AI, together with shifting consumer behaviours, continues to reshape the purpose of physical retail. A new study released by ICSC and McKinsey & Company,...

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Business

The Children's Place partners with Al Othaim for Saudi Arabia re-enty

Children's wear retailer The Children's Place has entered into a new strategic partnership with Al Othaim Life Company to re-enter the Saudi Arabian market, with initial store openings planned for later this year, including a flagship store in Riyadh. The partnership represents a significant milestone in The Children's Place's broader...

Retail

H&M launches on Nordstrom Marketplace, marking its debut on a US retail marketplace

Swedish fashion giant H&M has launched on Nordstrom Marketplace, the department store chain's curated third-party platform, available on Nordstrom.com and its app, as it looks to expand its reach across the United States. The move marks H&M's US retail marketplace debut. "Our launch on Nordstrom Marketplace marks an important step in making H&M...

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Retail|Interview

Retail reset: Why Gen Z is forcing a rethink of stores, space and strategy

The US retail landscape is undergoing a structural reset. From the bankruptcy of Saks Global to real estate downsizing and the reinvention of New York’s Fifth Avenue, the sector is shifting away from scale in favour of precision. At the same time, the evolution of mixed-use developments and experiential retail hubs is redefining how physical...

Retail

New Era to open immersive flagship store in New York City

Sports and lifestyle brand New Era is set to open its debut North American flagship store in New York City. Opening on April 27, the flagship store is located in the trendy neighbourhood of SoHo, on the corner of Houston Street and Lafayette Street. The upcoming flagship opening is in line with New Era’s broader aim of positioning itself in the...

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Retail|CEO interview

Sporthaus Schuster adopts head-to-toe approach for cycling apparel

Community rides, new brands and a growing interest in races beyond the Tour de France show that cycling has become a trend sport, much like running. It inspires both city dwellers and people in the countryside. Sporthaus Schuster - a renowned, family-owned sporting goods retailer based in Munich, Germany - has recognised this and realigned its...

Retail

Astrid & Miyu strengthen US presence with debut LA store opening

London-based jewelry brand Astrid & Miyu has opened its first store in Los Angeles, as the brand makes its West Coast debut and strengthens its US presence. Located on the iconic Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, the new store marks Astrid & Miyu’s third retail location in the US, building on the momentum of its previous retail openings in New...