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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.

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.

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.

Skilled people are retail’s unfair advantage - especially in the Golden Quarter. When baskets spike and patience dips, it’s not attitude that makes or breaks performance, it’s capability. Product knowledge, customer sense, and operational fluency turn chaos into conversion. Train smart before peak, and your people will repay you in margin, momentum, and customer love.

Stay up to date with the latest in retail. This month’s highlights include rising NZ retail vacancies, Shein’s controversial move into French department stores, The Warehouse’s margin pressures, and Restaurant Brands’ takeover bid. Plus, THE ICONIC launches a new loyalty program, Google debuts AI shopping, and Kmart faces privacy backlash over facial recognition tech. Follow RX Group on LinkedIn for more retail and CX insights.

Retail’s no longer playing a local game. From Shenzhen to Sydney, global marketplaces like Temu, Amazon and Shein are reshaping how ANZ brands compete. At Competing with Giants, we brought together the retailers, disruptors, and strategists navigating this shift — and uncovered bold ideas, real lessons, and the local edge we’ll need to grow on our own terms. The giants are here. The question is: how will we respond?

The sun shines differently at the Mount , and so does the retail. From street-level gems to sensory flagships, we spent a weekend in full retail recon mode. What stood out wasn’t one blockbuster store, but the collective charm, connection and character. This high street has a pulse, and it’s strong.

We make it easy to keep up with what’s happening in retail. This month’s headlines span collapses and comebacks: Smiths City has gone into administration, Kitchen Things into receivership, and Mosaic Brands fined $25m. Meanwhile, TK Maxx prepares its first Australian flagship, Hallenstein Glasson delivers a sales lift, and Consumer NZ reveals shoppers’ favourite brands. For more regular updates on retail and CX, follow us on LinkedIn: RX Group.

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.

In this must-read by Feedback ASAP founder Phil Prosser, discover how leading retailers are turning customer feedback into a commercial growth engine. Forget chasing NPS - this is about real-time action, smarter training, and using CX to drive ATV, justify pricing, and boost ROI. If your CX program isn’t helping your frontline win, it’s not working. It’s time to go from data-rich to results-driven.

ICYMI: From surcharges being banned to bottle recycling trials, Paper Plus’ comeback, and Noel Leeming facing charges, here’s what’s shaping retail this month. Plus, Michael Hill’s passing, Tesla’s retro diner, and Temu’s local seller play.

Tucked into Newmarket’s Osborne Lane, Fankery blends nostalgic Shanghainese flavours with modern baking flair. From mochi-filled tarts to gooey cookies, this petite bakery is full of bold personality and unforgettable treats. A must-visit for dessert lovers.