MORE
GREAT
STUFF

Every year, the gia Excellence in Retailing Awards - the Global Innovation Awards for home and housewares retail - put stores from over 30 countries side by side and celebrate the best of them. The New Zealand winner of the Excellence in Retailing award is flown to The Inspired Home Show in Chicago in March 2027. Finalists in the Top Window and Digital Commerce categories join them if they progress to the global final round, recognised alongside some of the sharpest retailer

87% of New Zealand businesses are already using AI, but most are still stuck between experimentation and execution. In this launch piece, RX Group and thecolab.ai unpack why so many AI initiatives fail to scale and introduce rxcolab.ai, a specialist ANZ retail AI venture focused on practical implementation, operational capability, and measurable commercial outcomes.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the future of retail, from AI powered shopping assistants and smart trolleys to personalised customer journeys and agentic commerce. In this sharp piece from Ebeltoft’s Dorte Wimmer and Line Kluge Albert, global retail leaders like Walmart and Instacart reveal how artificial intelligence is becoming retail’s next major competitive advantage.

Most retailers do not have an AI problem, they have an operationalisation problem. In this practical working paper, thecolab.ai explores why so many AI pilots fail to scale and outlines a seven step framework for turning artificial intelligence from an interesting experiment into a reliable, commercially valuable part of the retail operating model.

A curated roundup of the retail news, ideas and shifts shaping the market right now — from global headlines to the signals worth paying attention to. Designed to keep you across what matters, without the noise.

Retailers are racing toward agentic commerce with the best of intentions. They're cleaning their product data, optimising for AI discovery, signing up to platform partnerships. Every decision makes sense in isolation. Together, they form a trap. The platforms driving this are deeply unprofitable. The fee model is already live in the US. A Board Director told me recently that "AI can do all this stuff for free." I said...Ask OpenAI about their $14 billion loss this year.

A curated roundup of the retail news, ideas and shifts shaping the market right now — from global headlines to the signals worth paying attention to. Designed to keep you across what matters, without the noise.

NRF APAC is where the region’s smartest retail conversations happen. RX Group’s curated ANZ delegation turns conference attendance into a true executive learning experience, combining global insight, VIP access, retail study tours and practical takeaways you can bring straight back to your business.

Retail is being reshaped by three defining forces: A Better World, Engaging Destinations and Easy Journeys. The Ebeltoft Group’s Retail Innovations 2026 report highlights the Top 50 global retail innovations from more than 300 nominations, including standout Australian and APAC retailers. RX Group’s Juanita Neville-Te Rito was part of the international judging panel selecting this year’s final list.

Retail is operating in a more constrained and competitive environment than ever before. Margins are tighter. Labour is under pressure. Customers have less patience for friction or confusion in-store. And the reality is, there is simply less room for things to go wrong. In this environment, the retailers that win won’t necessarily be the ones with the best strategy. They’ll be the ones who can execute it consistently. Consistency is now a competitive advantage.

Most retailers don’t have a strategy problem - they have an execution problem. Leadership teams talk about focus, then load the business with 83 projects, reduced resources, shifting priorities and unrealistic expectations. When people don’t believe the plan, trust the players, understand the language, or have the capacity to deliver, strategy fails. The real question is simple: are we actually set up to execute what we say matters?

In uncertain markets, adding more feels like action. But growth without alignment creates noise. This article explores why clarity compounds, how strong positioning drives resilience, and why disciplined focus, not accumulation, is the real retail growth strategy.

We are throwing everything at growth. More speed. More channels. More mechanics. But the store always pays. This SYSCA explores what happens when leadership moves faster than the system and why deliberate alignment matters more than frantic activity.

From regulatory shifts to record sales and retail resets, this month’s reading captures the forces shaping the sector across New Zealand and Australia. We cover the proposed surcharge ban, class action scrutiny, profit pressures, business restructures and the continued rise of omnichannel performance. If you want a clear snapshot of what’s moving retail and CX right now, start here.

A retail strategist’s take on the most powerful Christmas ads of 2025. Which brands nailed emotion, storytelling and distinctiveness, and which missed the mark? A global wrap of the winners, surprises and lessons for 2026.

From unexpected gems to complete creative meltdowns, Part Two reviews the Christmas ads that surprised, delighted or confused us in 2025.

Stay across the latest shifts in retail, from Kmart’s surge and slowing Black Friday momentum to major closures like Jory Henley and Ozsale. We also spotlight standout moves from Adore Beauty, Sports Direct’s expansion plans, and how AI is reshaping ecommerce. Follow RX Group on LinkedIn for more frequent insights.

We have put together 12 moments for you, each one revealing a defining moment of the year or a key lesson that shaped retail in 2025.

Retailers today face more than margin pressure – they face moral pressure. Doing good is no longer a side story; it’s the strategy. From Ben & Jerry’s fight for purpose to Nala’s bold billboard and Disney’s quiet refusal, brands are redefining what leadership looks like. The lesson? Being good isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about everyday choices that protect your integrity as fiercely as your bottom line.

From AI breakthroughs to brand shake-ups, October–November brought plenty for retailers to watch. Walmart and PayPal deepened ties with OpenAI, Stitch Fix debuted AI-powered try-ons, and Canva rolled out its biggest update yet. Locally, Macpac profits fell 71%, Mitre 10 pared losses, and JB Hi-Fi NZ led with strong sales. As NZ considers a social media ban for under-16s, brands like Victoria’s Secret and Panda Mart push forward with new openings and tighter controls.