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The term “omnichannel” became more than a buzzword in the retail space when the pandemic forced countless store owners to enable new avenues for customer interaction as quickly as possible. At first, the term simply entailed a retailer's ability to support a variety of purchasing channels, whether they be online, on social media, or in…

NAPCO Research, in conjunction with Blackhawk Network, conducted a comprehensive review of the state of merchants’ gift card programs in three markets: Australia, United Kingdom, United States. The 2023 review included an assessment of retailers’ e-commerce/digital, mobile, and in-store gift card offerings, providing an omnicommerce view into the consumer gift card purchase and recipient experience. After…

By the end of 2023, 20.8 percent of retail purchases are expected to occur online.  Experts predict that number will grow to 24 percent by 2026. On the logistics and supply chain management side, it means more customers will continue to expect top-notch service from click to doorstep. Efficiency is key to the success of any warehouse operation when it comes to order fulfilment. With the rapid advancement of technology globally, warehouses have access to a wide…

The recently released 2023 Merchant Gift Card Omnicommerce Evaluation, Australia Edition, a comprehensive report produced by NAPCO Research in conjunction with sponsor partner Blackhawk Network, features an assessment of retailers’ e-commerce/digital, mobile, and in-store gift card offerings. The report seeks to provide an omnicommerce view into the consumer gift card purchase and recipient experience. The full report can…

As part of the 2023 Merchant Gift Card Omnicommerce Evaluation, Australia Edition, a comprehensive report produced by NAPCO Research in conjunction with sponsor partner Blackhawk Network, best practices for the three channels evaluated (digital/e-commerce, in-store, mobile) were included. The best practices are intended to help readers improve the performance of their gift card programs, including driving increased…

Consumers love bargains. At the time of this writing, 12 of the 13 top Chrome extensions in the Shopping category offer some flavor of automated coupon codes, price comparisons or cashback. For consumers, these browser-based tools are a way to find the best bargains at a time of global belt-tightening. For online stores, they're a…

For three years, consumers have endured a crash course in supply chain economics. And while the COVID pandemic is no longer directly responsible for major disruptions, others have risen and fallen in a fluid counterpoint worthy of a Mozart symphony — from the Russian invasion of Ukraine to Chinese threats against Taiwan, inflationary trends to…

For the second consecutive year, NAPCO Research, in conjunction with Blackhawk Network, has undertaken a comprehensive review of the state of Australian merchants’ gift card programs. The 2023 review included an assessment of retailers’ e-commerce/digital, mobile, and in-store gift card offerings, providing an omnicommerce view into the consumer gift card purchase and recipient experience. The full…

For many, the 2008 recession marked legacy retail's first nail in the coffin. The Great Recession led to the collapse of countless storied names, many with decades-long histories. The growing popularity of online shopping and, later, the COVID-19 pandemic only accelerated this downward trajectory. And yet, despite this purported death spiral, legacy retail still lives…

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands and legacy retailers are looking to increase profitability, and they can do so by improving operational processes and reducing inefficiencies. Focusing on profitability should, in theory, always be the case, but it is especially true today as economic headwinds have retail executives focused on operational cost-savings more than growth. DTC brands are…

At the 2023 Home Delivery World conference in Philadelphia last week, two GNC executives shared how the company redesigned the role of its stores to focus on getting its products closer to customers. GNC, which was founded in 1935, has 2,500 stores and two distribution centers (in Indiana and Arizona). The specialty retailer of health…

As part of the 2023 UK Retail Gift Cards Evaluated: Comprehensive Guide for Best Practice and Opportunities, UK Edition, a comprehensive report produced by NAPCO Research in conjunction with sponsor partner Blackhawk Network, best practices for the three channels evaluated (digital/e-commerce, in-store, mobile) were included. The best practices are intended to help readers improve the performance of…

Inventory is everything in the retail world. Without it, retailers simply wouldn’t be in business. However, most retailers today struggle with inventory management. Rising consumer expectations have made omnichannel a must. Now, retailers need to make millions of decisions about thousands of SKUs, across every possible channel each day — making it harder than ever…

U.S. food prices surged by 11 percent last year, marking the largest increase since the 1980s. While the rate of inflation has gradually calmed down since its June 2022 peak, rising prices remain a significant concern for retailers and consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. Given the possibility of a recession, it may be tempting to…

Technological advancement continues to disrupt retail strategies, altering customers’ behavior and, consequently, retail businesses. New technologies influence customers as they switch between channels for research and shopping. Companies must focus on managing the numerous customer touchpoints available simultaneously. Omnichannel has become an appealing medium for retailers to interact with customers and sell their products and…

The retail industry’s commitment to artificial intelligence (AI) is unmatched, surpassing all industries except finance. According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), a staggering $300 billion investment in AI is anticipated by 2026. This influx of resources promises to augment the relationship between humans and machines, delivering immense advantages to brands and consumers. There's a…

Omnichannel marketing typically involves using a combination of digital and physical channels, such as websites, social media, email, SMS, mobile apps, in-store experiences, and customer service interactions. By leveraging data and technology, brands can track customer behavior across channels, and then use this information to create more personalized and relevant experiences. Omnichannel marketing can help…

For the last decade, the retail industry has been on an existential search for the future of its own soul. Consumers armed with smartphones increasingly turned to browse-and-buy shopping from virtually anywhere, flipping the nature of retail on its head. Meanwhile, traditional brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled to find effective ways to keep pace with digital…

For the third consecutive year, NAPCO Research, in conjunction with Blackhawk Network, has undertaken a comprehensive review of the state of UK merchants’ gift card programmes. The 2023 review included an assessment of retailers’ e-commerce/digital, mobile, and in-store gift card offerings, providing an omnicommerce view into the consumer gift card purchase and recipient experience. The full…

The last two years have been a roller coaster for online stores. The supply chain disruptions of 2021 led to many merchants struggling to get their hands on enough inventory, and then overbuying to compensate in 2022. But now, with an economic downturn looming and the threat of reduced consumer spending increasing, stores that overstocked…