Takeaways

Amazon Prime Day saw a significant increase in consumer spending compared to previous years.

Retail media plays a crucial role in helping brands get noticed on Amazon's marketplace.

Consumers are increasingly focused on basic needs rather than luxury items during shopping events.

Retailers are managing prices strategically to absorb costs and maintain consumer interest.

Membership programs like Amazon Prime and Walmart Plus are becoming essential for retailers.

Customer service quality is a key differentiator for retailers in a competitive market.

The trend of comparison shopping is growing among consumers, especially between Amazon and Walmart.

Retailers are leveraging technology and AI to improve efficiency and customer experience.

The impact of tariffs on consumer prices is a concern for retailers and consumers alike.

The future of retail may see tiered membership programs to cater to different consumer segments.

Chapters

00:00 The Dynamics of Prime Day Discounts

07:27 Retail Media and Brand Visibility

09:37 Innovations in Delivery: E-bikes and Instant Needs

11:59 Consumer Behavior: Shifts in Purchasing Trends

14:35 Retail Strategies: Managing Prices and Inventory

17:28 The Competitive Landscape: Walmart vs. Amazon

20:05 Customer Service: The Key to Retention

23:06 The Future of Grocery and E-commerce

25:49 Membership Models: The Next Frontier

31:08 Final Thoughts and Predictions

This is a video episode which you can watch here.

Takeaways

• Feinman transitioned from Bloomingdale's to Goodwill for a mission-driven role.
• Goodwill's technology was outdated, requiring significant upgrades.
• AI has transformed Goodwill's e-commerce operations, increasing efficiency.
• The demographic of Goodwill shoppers has shifted towards younger consumers.
• Goodwill uses data analytics to optimize store locations for donations and sales.
• E-commerce sales at Goodwill have increased by 25% year-over-year.
• The return rate for Goodwill's e-commerce is impressively low at 0.26%.
• Michael emphasizes the importance of testing new technologies before full implementation.
• Goodwill is exploring international shipping to expand its market.
• Leadership and innovation are crucial for adapting to retail challenges.

Chapters

00:00 This Week in Research: New Reports and Data

01:37 Feinman's Journey in Retail

04:05 Technology Roadmap at Goodwill

08:36 E-Commerce Strategy and Operations

12:19 The Future of E-Commerce and AI Innovations

18:25 Challenges and Opportunities in Retail Technology

25:00 Consumer Behavior and Returns Management

30:48 Innovation and Leadership in Retail

37:15 Conclusion and Future Outlook

This is a video podcast episode, which you can watch here.

Read Coresight Research reports on sustainability and AI in retail.

Visit the Retail Technology Hub to explore reports, data and competitive landscapes on technology.

Takeaways

• BTS is the second largest retail season after winter holidays.
• Total BTS spending is set to total around $38 billion this year.
• Families are focusing more on essential items and discounts for BTS shopping.
• Retailers are adjusting strategies to capture budget-conscious shoppers.
• Economic indicators show mixed signals but overall consumer spending remains resilient.
• New tariffs are significantly impacting retail pricing and supply chains.
• Retailers are diversifying sourcing to mitigate tariff impacts.
• Category-specific strategies are crucial for navigating the BTS season.
• Communication of value and pricing transparency is key for retailers this season.
• Retailers should remain agile and data-driven to adapt to changing consumer behavior.

Chapters

00:00 This Week in Research: New Reports and Data

02:03 The Importance of BTS for Retailers

03:35 Consumer Spending Trends and Categories

07:12 Economic Indicators and Consumer Behavior

11:51 Impact of New Tariff Regime on Retail

20:53 Retail Strategies Amid Tariff Challenges

24:08 Category-Specific Retail Strategies

34:11 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

Check out the Coresight Research US Back to School series of reports to dive into US consumers' shopping expectations for the BTS season in more detail.

This is a video podcast episode, which you can watch here.

Takeaways

• Data is integral to matching suppliers with retailers.
• Fit challenges in merchandising are both physical and technological.
• Retailers are increasingly adopting direct-to-consumer strategies.
• Physical retail spaces are evolving into showrooms and experience centers.
• Retail media is shifting toward more personalized and generative approaches.
• Marketplace strategies allow retailers to experiment with inventory models.
• Tech-first approaches are essential for modern retail operations.
• Market uncertainties are driving retailers to explore new categories and suppliers.
• Collaboration between brands and retailers is becoming more critical for success.

Chapters

00:00 This Week at Coresight Research: New Reports and Data

03:01 The Role of Merchandising in Retail

06:05 Understanding Fit: Technology and Product

09:10 Challenges in Product Assortment and Profitability

12:03 The Blurring Lines Between Retailers and Brands

15:09 The Future of Physical Retail Spaces

17:52 The Evolution of Retail Media

20:54 Marketplace Strategies and Inventory Management

23:58 Tech-First Approaches in Retail

27:08 Navigating Market Uncertainties

29:57 Final Thoughts and Predictions for 2025

Dive further into retail challenges and tech-driven solutions with the recent, in-depth report from Coresight Research and Rithum: Unlocking Success: The Pathway to Profitability for US Brands and Retailers

This is a video podcast episode, which you can watch here.

Takeaways

• Retailers are increasingly investing in technology and transformation.
• Store intelligence technology is crucial for operational efficiency.
• AI and automation are addressing major retail challenges.
• Visibility into store operations is lacking for many retailers.
• Robotics and AI are becoming essential in physical stores.
• Employee satisfaction improves with the adoption of technology.
• Retail media networks are evolving rapidly in the industry.
• Understanding the root cause of shrink is vital for retailers.
• Data-driven decision-making is key to optimizing operations.
• The future of retail is leaning toward an AI-first approach.

Chapters

00:00 This Week in Research: New Reports and Data

01:37 The Evolution of In-Store Retail Technology

03:24 The Impact of Technology on Retail Operations

07:22 Understanding Store Intelligence and Its Benefits

11:21 The Role of Robotics and AI in Retail

15:56 Connecting Data to Business Processes

18:28 Enhancing Employee Satisfaction and Customer Experience

20:05 The Importance of Visibility in Store Operations

22:51 Addressing Shrink and Inefficiencies in Retail

25:00 The Rise of Retail Media Networks

30:38 The Future of Retail Technology and AI

Read the ⁠latest annual study from Coresight Research and Simbe, published in June 2025, to dive into the dawn of new-age stores.

Takeaways

• The Coresight Research conference: NextGen 2025 is set for June 23.
• The event will focus on the integration of retail and real estate.
• AI is reshaping the beauty industry and retail strategies.
• Retailers are cautious about adopting AI technologies.
• Data plays a crucial role in understanding consumer behavior.
• Challenges like organized retail crime (ORC) need collaborative solutions.
• Food courts are becoming significant revenue sources for malls.
• The NextGen 2025 conference will feature diverse speakers from various sectors.
• Innovations in last-mile delivery are essential for retail success.
• Retail media and data monetization are key growth areas.

Chapters

00:00 This Week in Research: New Reports and Data

02:30 Exploring the Coresight Research NextGen 2025 Conference Agenda and Key Themes

03:23 The Importance of Retail and Real Estate Integration

06:37 Challenges in Retail: Crime, Data and AI

09:52 Innovations in Retail Real Estate and Last-Mile Delivery

Register now for NextGen 2025: Retail, Real Estate & the New Consumer!

Takeaways

• AI is becoming a significant focus for global retailers.
• The relationship between consumers and brands is evolving.
• Livestreaming is more about discovery in the West.
• Storytelling remains a crucial aspect of brand marketing.
• Everything can be a selling opportunity in retail.
• Monetizing consumer attention is a growing trend.
• The consumer journey is changing with technology.
• Understanding consumer behavior is essential for success.
• The right product at the right time is key to retail success.
• Collaboration among brands is becoming more common.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to NRF APAC 2025

01:56 The Role of AI in Retail

06:04 Evolving Consumer Transactions

12:04 Creative Marketing Strategies

15:24 Future of Retail and Consumer Engagement

• Don't miss Weinswig ⁠speaking at the event! Join us to delve into the transformative impact of social commerce and artificial intelligence (AI) on the retail industry.

Takeaways

• The AAFA conference focused heavily on tariffs and their impact on supply chains.
• Manufacturers are diversifying their supply chains to mitigate risks.
• Companies are looking to increase agility in manufacturing strategies.
• Collaboration and communication are crucial for managing tariff impacts.
• Sustainability can drive cost reduction while meeting ESG goals.
• World Retail Congress highlighted a shift toward more resilient supply chains.
• Retailers are focusing on building tighter relationships with top suppliers.
• Sustainability discussions have matured to include financial considerations.
• AI is being leveraged for contract management and climate control in real estate.
• Creating seamless shopping experiences is essential for customer retention.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Tariffs and Supply Chain Strategies

06:08 Insights from World Retail Congress

11:57 AI Innovations in Real Estate

18:09 Enhancing Customer Experiences in Retail

• Coresight Research premium subscribers can read our top takeaways from World Retail Congress in our event coverage report: World Retail Congress 2025 Insights: Consensus on Tariffs Floor, AI Risks in Adaptive Apparel, Smart Scaling in Focus
• Read more insights on AI, tariffs and sustainability with in-depth reports from Coresight Research.