ICYMI and what we are reading - October 2024

We make it easy for you to keep up to date with what's happening in the world of retail. Check out what we are reading this month and why.

If you're after more frequent updates about what is happening in the world of retail and CX, give us a follow on LinkedIn: RX Group

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Coles and Woolies face fresh battle to keep competitors at bay

Australia: More than 150 undeveloped supermarket sites held by Coles and Woolworths will be targeted for release to possible competitors as federal and state governments ramp up efforts to put downward pressure on food and grocery prices.

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5 of the biggest CEO moves to hit retail this year

USA: Chief executive officers in retail occupy a challenging position. From longtime company veteran departures to executives switching sectors, here’s a look at some of the retailers that have shuffled the top spot in 2024.

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Ready. Set. Uber Safari!

SA: Available in the Uber app from October through the end of January, Uber Safari is the perfect day trip for people in Cape Town looking to see the big five – lions, elephants, buffalos, cheetahs, and rhinos. In partnership with Aquila Private Game Reserve, one of South Africa’s most popular wildlife conservancies, riders will have the chance to book a seamless safari.

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Kathmandu owner names new Group CEO

Kathmandu-owner KMD Brands has announced that Brent Scrimshaw will be the next Group CEO, as Michael Daly steps down after giving notice of his resignation.

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UK Based Frasers Group Buys $165m Accent Group Stake

Frasers Group who own a large portfolio of brands notably including Sports Direct and the IPs of Everlast and Slazenger have boosted their international footprint with their purchase of Brett Blundy's 14.65% stake in Accent Group.

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How Automation is Increasing Higher Value Jobs

Australia: New research from Amazon reveals automation could save Aussie workers 245 hours a year, demographer Bernard Salt breaks it down.

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FoodTok: How supermarkets are using TikTok to win Gen Z shoppers

Supermarkets like Aldi, Morrisons, and M&S are tapping into TikTok’s viral food trends to win over Gen Z shoppers. With popular recipes like the cucumber salad driving sales, TikTok is becoming a major tool for grocers to engage younger audiences and bring online trends into stores.

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What we are reading

• USA:  Another rough year for department stores: The segment is undergoing a quiet shakeup in 2024, with major players pursuing varying degrees of change to their operations.

  
  

• USA: Walmart wants to create a unique homepage for each shopper: The retailer is accelerating its Adaptive Retail strategy to create immersive shopping experiences across its stores, apps and virtual environments.

  
  

• USA: McDonald’s to Begin Selling Krispy Kreme Doughnuts in Chicago

  It’s the first step toward a nationwide rollout. This is the future of retail. Collaboration

  
  

• UK: 7 retailers that have lost their CEOs in recent months: There has been a revolving door in retail’s boardrooms with a swathe of CEOs exiting in recent months with the CEOs of John Lewis and Matalan stepping down this week alone.

  
  

• UK: If you are a Brit maybe you get this but we don’t …. Waitrose enlists S Club for new No.1 ad campaign. Bizarre?? The ad, which is set to a remix of S Club’s 1999 hit ‘You’re my Number One’ from DJ Jax Jones, shows the pop group dancing in the supermarket aisles, before tucking in to a No.1 range feast and leaving with Waitrose bags full of goodies.

  
  

• How Receipt Capture Fills the Gaps in Consumer Buying Data for Retailers

Digital receipts are now a staple of consumer transactions, available through apps on various devices and offering businesses a valuable new data source. Gathering digital records like receipts reveals deep insights into consumer behaviour and enables competitive benchmarking.