UPS has agreed to acquire reverse-logistics solution Happy Returns from PayPal for an undisclosed amount. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. Happy Returns offers box-free, label-free returns for more than 800 merchant partners at over 10,000 locations across the U.S. including Petco, Hibbett, Ulta Beauty and Staples. The…
Photo courtesy Home Depot Home Depot is the self-proclaimed home of “the doers.” And that mentality of empowering people’s entrepreneurial drive extends inside the organization as well, where Home Depot has built a robust retail media operation that began long before “retail media” was a commonplace term. It started in 2018 when pioneering marketing executive…
For customers, many aspects of a shopping trip impact whether they view it as a success. From the customer service of store associates to the quality of the products for sale, every store visit has its own unique factors that play into a customer’s overall satisfaction — factors that become irrelevant if the product a…
As it emerges from bankruptcy, Party City is moving forward with a strategy to transform its business and keep more than 800 of existing stores in operation. Part of that transformation has included the implementation of supply chain solution TradeBeyond, which is helping Party City improve efficiencies across inventory management, end-to-end merchandising and vendor compliance….
Ulta Beauty is testing new smart vending tech from SOS that will expand the beauty retailer’s in-store sampling program and add in-store advertising capabilities to its retail media offerings for the first time. SOS Co-founders showcase the smart vending capability at Ulta. (Photo courtesy SOS) SOS smart vending machines will be piloted at select Ulta…
GNC is expanding its virtual healthcare service, GNC Health, to offer low cost and convenient care to customers. Membership plans for individuals and families are available via three tiers: Basic, Plus and Premier. The health and wellness retailer initially rolled out free healthcare services to members of its paid loyalty program, GNC Pro Access, in…
Miniso has launched its first IP-themed flagship in Indonesia, starring Hello Kitty and other beloved Sanrio characters. This is the first store dedicated to a specific IP partnership, establishing Miniso’s commitment to brand collaborations and creating more tailored shopping experiences for specific territories. The flagship was a renovation of Miniso’s Margo City store, which is…
This is Part 1 of The Holiday Readiness Series, which will feature tactical tips and takeaways from experts that retailers can still apply to rev up their sales results. Looking for even more data and insights to power your approach? Check out the Retail Strategy & Planning Series on-demand. Offering excellent customer service is a…
Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping events of the year, but it’s not just for industry giants. As a WooCommerce store owner, you’re well aware that you can also turn this annual shopping extravaganza into a lucrative opportunity. However, to truly maximize your sales potential during this season, it’s essential to have a…
BuyBuy Baby is ready to “reclaim its spot as America’s leading specialty baby and toddler products retailer.” The retailer will soon return to both digital and physical retail, less than four months after it was purchased out of bankruptcy by baby care brand Dream on Me. The BuyBuy Baby website will relaunch later this month…
