Conversations On Retail

More Time for the Moments That Matter At Badger Technologies, we’re dedicated to giving store teams the bandwidth they need to focus on engaging with customers. By leveraging our AI-driven digital teammates to streamline tasks like out-of-stock detection and real-time safety checks, associates can deliver the human touch shoppers crave—and do it consistently. This is how we’re shaping the future of retail: where practical innovation not only simplifies operations, but also amplifies the impact of your in-store team. Interested in discovering how a digital teammate can enhance the shopping experience in your stores? Start a Conversation! https://lnkd.in/gB_Mub52 Emil Martinez, Mark A. Shake, Rafael Renno, Mellissa Diersing, Patrick Maturo, Bob Ferraro, John McIntyre, Marcus Lennon, Len Wierzbicki, Joey Harrison, Ryan Manus, Jeff Bowers, Jeff Kees, Darrell Sapp, Michael Graen, Conversations On Retail, Matt Fifer #RetailInnovation #AI #Automation #DigitalTeammates #SmartRetail #OperationalExcellence #RetailTechnology #Innovation #Teamwork

Europe’s luxury sector is showing signs of recovery after a tough 2024, with brands like Hermès, LVMH, and Richemont posting strong earnings. However, weak Chinese demand and potential U.S. tariffs pose risks. High-end brands with strong consumer loyalty are expected to outperform, while others may struggle with price hikes and innovation gaps. #LuxuryMarket #Hermes #LVMH #Richemont #Gucci #ChinaEconomy #USTariffs #FashionIndustry #EconomicTrends #LuxuryBrands

Retail is the most common location for gun violence, and here’s what you need to know about it ?? In 2024, the Gun Violence Research Center recorded 5,462 gun-related incidents in the U.S., and retail represented the single biggest vertical where these incidents took place, even accounting for 551 of the reported fatalities last year. We currently serve many retail clients and have extensively researched how to safeguard these facilities more effectively. In this recent article with Retail TouchPoints, ZeroEyes’ VP of Business Intelligence Erin Robbins Acheson analyzes findings from the 2024 ZeroEyes Gun Violence Report to give readers key insights into what we’ve learned about gun violence in retail. Erin discusses why retail facilities are such a hot spot for gun violence, the range of incident types that typically occur, game-changing prevention tactics to help reduce these troubling statistics, and much more. Get the full scoop: https://hubs.ly/Q03cTM4c0 #PublicSafety #Emergency #Prevention

Amazon has introduced three new universities to its Just Walk Out technology: SUNY Maritime College, Lehigh University, and the University of Memphis. Meanwhile, Sainsbury's has discontinued its checkout-free store at Holborn Circus, converting it back to a traditional setup. The 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards will spotlight checkout-free stores and retail tech advancements, celebrating industry innovation. #JustWalkOut #RetailTech #FrictionlessShopping #Sainsburys #SmartShop #CheckoutFree #RTIHInnovationAwards #RetailInnovation #FutureOfRetail

Hasbro is shifting manufacturing away from China to mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs. Despite challenges, the company maintains an optimistic outlook for 2025 with an adjusted EBITDA target of $1.1B-$1.15B. Rival Mattel may raise prices due to tariffs. Hasbro plans to reduce U.S. imports from China to under 40% by 2026. Q4 revenue dropped 15%, partly due to the sale of its eOne film and TV business. Digital and licensed gaming grew 35% in Q4, driven by Monopoly Go! #Hasbro #Mattel #Tariffs #China #ToyIndustry #PlayDohBarbie #MonopolyGo #eOne #Gaming #BusinessNews

Alibaba Group Q4 profit surged, beating forecasts with a net income of ￥48.945B ($6.72B) and revenue of ￥280.154B. Strong growth in Cloud Intelligence (+13%) and e-commerce, along with advancements in AI, drove results. Alibaba Group plans heavy AI and cloud investment. Shares soared 8% after the announcement. Jack Ma attended a rare business meeting with President Xi Jinping. #Alibaba #Earnings #CloudComputing #Ecommerce #AI #JackMa #ChinaEconomy #Investment #Technology #StockMarket

Consumers cut spending in January, with retail sales dropping 0.9%, signaling potential economic slowdown. Declines in autos (-2.8%), online sales (-1.9%), and sporting goods (-4.6%) contributed to the drop. Inflation remains high (3% YoY), while import prices rose 0.3% and fuel prices jumped 3.2%. Markets reacted with lower Treasury yields, and traders increased bets on Fed rate cuts by June. Analysts cite bad weather and auto sales fluctuations as mitigating factors. #ConsumerSpending #RetailSales #Economy #Inflation #InterestRates #StockMarket #FedPolicy #AutoSales #EconomicGrowth

Unilever posted weaker-than-expected sales growth for Q4, with full-year underlying sales rising 4.2%. The company expects a slow start in 2025 but anticipates a rebound in the second half. CEO Hein Schumacher emphasized the growth of Unilever's 30 power brands. The company is proceeding with the demerger of its ice cream unit, with a triple listing in Amsterdam, London, and New York. Consumer goods companies face challenges from rising input costs but may see recovery through innovation and marketing. #Unilever #SalesGrowth #ConsumerGoods #PowerBrands #IceCreamSpinOff #Demerger #StockMarket #Nestle #PremiumProducts #RetailTrends

OLIPOP PBC raised $50M in its Series C funding round, valuing the Prebiotica soda brand at $1.85B. The company, founded in 2018, leads the gut health soda market alongside rival Poppi, which aired a Super Bowl ad. OLIPOP PBC achieved profitability in early 2024 and hit $400M in sales last year. Meanwhile, Poppi, founded a decade ago, has raised $39.3M and surpassed $100M in sales but is facing legal scrutiny over its health claims. #Olipop #Poppi #PrebioticSoda #GutHealth #Funding #BillionDollarBrand #SuperBowlAd #FoodTrends #BeverageIndustry #StartupGrowth

Kroger, the largest supermarket chain in the U.S., is rolling out inventory robots from both Badger Technologies and Simbe Robotics. These robots scan shelves for missing items and pricing errors, aiming to improve store efficiency. With over 2,700 stores nationwide, Kroger's adoption of automation means millions more shoppers will regularly encounter robots in their daily routines. Badger Technologies, already powering retail robots in chains like Stop & Shop and Giant, is at the forefront of this shift. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eY73_ttS