Retail stories

Brands swapping ‘Valentine’s Day’ for personal ‘Valentine’ subject lines see big email gains, as generic “love” talk and “shop” prompts drag.

Most organisations still cannot show pounds-and-pence returns on AI, with only 15% tracking its financial impact, a new report warns.

Wesfarmers is deepening its AI and cloud pact with Microsoft to roll out Copilot tools, agents and data platforms across its retail brands.

The FCA will bring buy now, pay later under tougher UK rules from July 2026, forcing stricter checks and clearer protections for borrowers.

LIV Golf has unveiled Fan Caddie, an AI ‘second-screen’ assistant offering real-time stats, replays and shopping while fans watch live.

Google maps out an AI-first overhaul of ads, Search and shopping, betting on creator-led influence and emerging agentic commerce tools.

Late payments now make up 37% of global pay cycles, with firms waiting 51 days on average to be paid, Sidetrade data reveals.

UK logistics firms shift from AI pilots to full rollouts as interest hits record highs, targeting faster, smarter and more flexible supply chains.

Collage appoints co-founder Ross Durbin as chief executive to spearhead AI-driven digital asset management growth from its Denver base.

Mailchimp expands eCommerce tools and AI-driven automation, rolling out SMS to 34 new EMEA markets to boost small business marketing ROI.

Asus courts 215 APAC partners in Sydney, tying AI PCs and omnichannel retail to an ambitious 30% consumer notebook market share goal.

In 2026, retailers win not by owning more data, but by orchestrating trusted, real-time data that powers every decision and experience.

Retailers are racing from blunt discounts to AI-driven one-to-one offers, promising sharper margins and loyalty in APAC’s crowded market.

UK shoppers value accurate parcel tracking and honest delivery updates far more than rapid shipping promises, a new Locus survey suggests.

AI data centre investment is starving Europe’s PC market of key components, driving sharp RAM and SSD price rises into 2026.

ProGlove co-founder Konstantin Brunnbauer becomes managing director as CEO Stefan Lampa steps down and shifts to an advisory role.

8x8 reports triple-digit growth in AI voice and messaging for CX, as contact centres scale automation beyond pilots across channels.

Celonis hires veteran software leader Ewan Henderson as North America GM to tighten AI’s link to day-to-day operations and measurable ROI.

Lydian app lets Clover merchants accept crypto from 300+ digital assets at checkout while still being settled in local fiat currency.

Xelix research warns large UK and US firms lose up to USD $53 billion a year to accounts payable errors, duplicates, missed credits and fraud.