Retail stories

By 2026, AI, social commerce and immersive physical retail experiences will transform how consumers interact with brands both online and in stores.

AI and predictive analytics are set to transform retail supply chains in 2026, enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency.

84% of Asia-Pacific shoppers will pay more for brands they trust with personal data, highlighting growing concern over digital privacy and customer experience.

By 2026, AI will transform customer service with firms mandated to disclose AI use, boost transparency, and balance trust and security in interactions.

Over two-thirds of retailers expect agentic AI to boost efficiency by 2026, but only 8% have fully integrated it into their operations so far.

UK shoppers favour AI for delivery tracking and returns but insist it should support, not replace, human customer service roles in retail.

Black Friday exposed how rising demand strains UK retailers' customer service, revealing challenges caused by complex systems and ageing processes.

Retailers in Australia and New Zealand must act like technology firms, using real-time data and strong security to thrive during peak shopping seasons.

Topsort secures investment from W23, backed by major grocers including Tesco, to expand its AI-driven retail media platform for global grocery retailers.

Around 60% of UK adults plan to shop this Black Friday, as retailers brace for rising cybercrime targeting fast-paced online sales and AI-driven bots.

UK shoppers and retailers brace for a spike in cyberattacks this Black Friday as criminals exploit rising online spending with advanced scams.

UK SMEs are increasingly using fast-track finance to meet surging Black Friday demand, with applications rising nearly a third ahead of the festive season.

Friendly fraud is set to rise by 25% over the peak holiday shopping days, with transactions averaging USD $291, costing retailers billions globally.

Australian retailers brace for a spike in cyber scams and sophisticated attacks exploiting the busy holiday shopping season, warns cybersecurity experts.

Fraud losses in the UK surged to GBP £1.17 billion in 2024, with Black Friday scams and unauthorised card fraud sharply increasing online threats.

Prezzee launches PrezzeePay, enabling retailers worldwide to offer unified digital gift cards without costly system changes, targeting cashless Gen Z shoppers.

New Zealand retailers risk losing NZD $12 billion this peak season as almost half of consumers shun businesses after one bad experience.

Retailers face rising digital and cyber threats this Black Friday, with only 22% of sites optimised for mobile user experience amid surging online traffic.

HP New Zealand has honoured standout partners like PB Tech, JB Hi-Fi, and Cyclone for excellence and sustainability in its 2025 Partner Awards.

Retailers and shoppers brace for rising cyber threats as Black Friday and Cyber Monday prompt a surge in online transactions and security vulnerabilities.