Merchandising

In the ever-evolving world of retail, where digital experiences increasingly define brand perception and customer loyalty, the efficiency and intelligence of your product information management (PIM) system can be a game-changer. Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic tool — it’s here, reshaping how retailers manage, enrich and present product data across channels. Curious…

In episode 482 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Matt McCabe, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Academy Sports + Outdoors, one of the nation's largest sporting goods and outdoor stores. Listen in as McCabe discusses the addition of the Jordan Brand into 145 of its stores and its e-commerce site…

Retail buyers have long operated at the crossroads of instinct and information. For years, they've juggled the competing demands of data analysis, strategic decision-making, and vendor management — often with limited tools and overwhelming volumes of information. Success was too often tied to whoever could best navigate internal systems, create the cleanest reports, or arrive…

New U.S. tariffs have prompted brands and retailers to reassess their sourcing and supply chain strategies. While these measures haven’t triggered a broader economic downturn so far, they are contributing to increased volatility and shifts in how businesses across the retail sector source, assemble and sell. Consequently, brands and retailers now face rising supplier costs…

Fashion merchandising is alive and well. Despite fears of artificial intelligence making e-commerce sites as monotonous and predictable as ChatGPT writing, “In today’s fast-paced world,” fashion websites are as diverse as ever. You have brands like Zara, whose site feels like an extension of a fashion magazine — curated, artistic and aspirational, and others like…

Within retail organizations, the legacy silos that once existed between store teams and digital teams have all but vanished in a post-pandemic reality, with one notable exception: Today’s merchant and retail media teams are locked in a tug-of-war over promotional real estate within stores. These merchant and retail media silos can be just as counterproductive…

While attending Shoptalk 2025 in Las Vegas from March 25-27, Total Retail's Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan had the opportunity to interview Jon Blotner, president of commercial and operations at Wayfair, one of the world's largest home retailers. Blotner discusses the launch of the Wayfair Verified program, the process for identifying products as Wayfair Verified, and its…

We’ll dive into the common blind spots that cause shoppers to bounce, carts to get abandoned, and revenue to slip through the cracks.

On Wednesday, Target announced that it has struck a multiyear deal with Champion, the sportswear brand long associated with hoodies and sweatpants. Authentic Brands Group bought Champion from HanesBrand last year. Starting in August, Target will carry an exclusive line of more than 500 items from Champion in most stores and online, including apparel for adults…

High school graduations will be here sooner than you think, and seniors across America will turn their focus from academics and college admissions to coming up with a memorable senior prank that will create an enduring legacy for their class. Led by the class’s most creative mischief makers, the goal of these senior pranks is…