Juanita Neville-Te Rito

Why are consumers claiming poverty while queuing for $17.50 McDonald's Happy Meals and Labubu collectibles? In NZ, 44% say they're worse off, yet Mecca opens record-breaking stores and Kmart profits soar 50%. This retail paradox reveals the new rules: emotional value beats functional, scarcity trumps abundance, and smart retailers make customers feel like winners. Traditional retail wisdom is dead—here's what's actually working in 2025.

From CEO changes to AI-powered smoothies, here’s what caught our attention in retail this month. Michael Hill names a new CEO following the founder’s passing. JB Hi-Fi reports strong growth as its CEO retires. IKEA highlights social impact, Amazon debuts a new ‘under $25’ range, and Heinz launches a ketchup smoothie. Plus: Gen Z insights every brand should know.

Auckland’s Enamoured Books is no ordinary bookstore, it’s a masterclass in niche retail done right. Ruby Wallace has built a romance lifestyle ecosystem that turns browsers into loyalists with curated collections, smart events, and a vibe customers never want to leave. From “Sexy Sundays” to BookTok-worthy launches, it’s proof that experience beats convenience, and that bold ambition still wins in retail.