RetailWire

Is ‘FactoryTok’ Exerting Real Pressure on Luxury Brands? If you’ve been doomscrolling through TikTok over the past month or so, you may have encountered the now-viral videos of behind-the-scenes looks at various Chinese factory processes. Read the full discussion and share your comments: https://lnkd.in/ekupZxAd Georganne Bender "The visiting stores part isn’t as fun as it used to be. I always stop in the designer stores at Caesars Forum Shops and the customer service you’d expect isn’t happening. Some of these retailers even make customers stand outside in a line like they are waiting to board a ride at Disneyland." Cathy Hotka "TikTok videos won’t influence luxury buyers…but they do make me feel better about buying knockoffs from Payless." Neil Saunders "A lot of the videos on TikTok are nonsense; indeed, the same person who appears in one for handbags then appears in another for a different product. Most of it is clearly blatant propaganda, which is a consequence of the escalating trade war. The problem is that not everyone will know this, and it does also shine a light on the value of luxury." 

Celebrating Ashish Chaturvedi for his outstanding contributions in retail and CPG technologies. As a Practice Leader at HFS Research, Ashish's insights into disruptive technologies and supply chain innovation are invaluable. Keep leading the way, Ashish, and thanks for your valued membership on the RetailWire BrainTrust! #retail #braintrust #technology

Domino's Rolls Out 50% Off Pizza Deal To Celebrate Spring Domino’s continues to deliver on great deals for its customers with huge savings on pizzas to celebrate the spring season. Read more and share your comments: https://lnkd.in/eQxnGFUD

Barnes & Noble, Inc. is back—and booming. After years of store closures, the bookseller is opening 60 new locations in 2025. Can their local-first model be the key to revitalizing big-box retail? Swipe through for our 5 key takeways and share your comments below... #BookRetail #BookstoreRevival #RetailTrends #RetailResurgence #PhysicalRetail

Why Is Amazon Sniffing Around TikTok? Amazon has reportedly landed among the suitors to acquire TikTok in a move that could give it instant access to the video-sharing app’s 170 million U.S. user base and influence with younger consumers. Read the full discussion and share your comments: https://lnkd.in/emjp6EJ2 Richard Hernandez "Amazon is definitely smart to be looking to expanding its product reach, advertising and e-commerce business. It is also the reason why Walmart is also interested in TikTok. So much potential for any operator that wants to purchase it." Lisa Goller, MBA "It makes sense for Amazon to acquire TikTok to catapult Western markets into social commerce. Amazon already has the commerce part locked down. By gaining access to digital social communities, Amazon would amplify trends, drive more impulse purchases and grab more share." Jeff Sward "Amazon acquiring TikTok sounds like a head slapping “Oh , hell yes!” moment. Two words…retail + entertainment. And digital to boot. How could Amazon not jump in…with both feet…??? Amazon’s biggest challenge would be to not over manage it. There’s gotta be something about the organic nature of TikTok that makes it so appealing."

Netflix Q1 2025: Big Numbers, Bigger Shifts Netflix just posted a 13% jump in revenue and $2.9B in earnings—but the real headline? They’re no longer reporting subscriber counts. From price hikes to ad-tier momentum and global content bets, Netflix is redefining what growth looks like. Swipe through for the key shifts. As Netflix moves away from subscriber metrics—are we entering a new era for how success is measured in media and beyond? #Netflix #RetailStrategy #AdRevenue #GrowthModel #Leadership #Q12025 #DigitalShift

Spirit Airlines Names New CEO Spirit Airlines has emerged from bankruptcy with a new CEO, who came to the company from fellow discount carrier Sun Country Airlines. Read more and share your comments: https://lnkd.in/epur3ZyT

Is anyone building the Airbnb of retail media networks? Here's why I ask: Amazon: 76.2% of US retail media ad spend Walmart: 8.0% The other ~15%... This pie slice is split by 200+ other networks I met with co-founders of BirdDog, CEO Shaun Brown and CCO Jeffrey Coleman while they were in Bentonville. I asked them why brands don't sign up for dozens of marketplaces & test them all. 1. The internal management cost 2. The ad cost... each network requires some "pay to play" 3. Every network is a silo w/ different onboarding, creative, and measurements 4. No shared data, no easy way to scale, and no standardization Most brands just pick their top 5 network and move on, because.. who wants to manage dozens of logins? This fragmentation & mess is good for Amazon. Sooner or later, someone will solve this and create the Airbnb of retail media. Where brands can plan, buy, and measure performance across the smaller RMNs (beyond Amazon and Walmart). Image credit to EMARKETER. Follow me for more posts like this >> Chase Binnie

More electronic shelf labels (ESLs) spotted in the wild. Here’s what I’m tracking: → More than 30% of major U.S. retailers are using them already → The U.S. market for ESLs hit $255M in 2024 → It's growing at 18.5% a year → Walmart is rolling out ESLs to 2,300 stores by 2026 (They are seen as the leader right now) Why it matters? → Price updates take minutes, not days → Stores save time (I've read 50+ hours/week) → Fewer pricing errors, better compliance And they make real-time promotions possible

Are AI agents going to learn retail skills? I interviewed the CEO of Bluecore (Fayez Mohamood) about how he sees AI evolving in retail/e-commerce. The main topic isn't about chatbots anymore. It's about AI employees that do a lot more. Fayez described it like this: → In apparel, AI agents will need styling skills, not just “You might also like,” but actually building an outfit. → In auto parts, AI agents will need fitment knowledge, knowing which part works for which car, in which year. → Each category will need its own set of skills & knowledge. Basically, AI agents will need to be trained like employees. But to what extent will they replace real people with product experience? Where will they live? And ultimately, how will it enhance the customer experience? Comment or like if you want us to cover this topic in more depth on RetailWire!