Sponsored by NCR
Fewer systems, faster service
Running a c-store means juggling a lot of moving parts. NCR Voyix brings them together, from checkout and payments to loyalty, so you can serve customers faster and spend less time wrangling tech.
See how it works →
Macro forces are turning retail on its head, with changing payment methods, deal-hunting and even GLP-1s altering how retailers think about their business strategies.
And consumers are growing frustrated by large retailers’ digital price tags. Can small retailers swoop in to earn shoppers’ trust?
Meanwhile, opinions are flying about Target’s new dress code for staff. Agree or disagree with these comments?
[ FIRST GLANCE ]
Retail logistics. This podcast unpacks the wild ride and ever-changing world of retail supply chains: returns, tariffs, trucking, last-mile delivery and even drones.
GLP-1s upend retail. With more than 10% of U.S. adults now taking GLP-1s, retailers are rethinking everything from end-cap products to bridal gown alterations.
Walmart’s fashion push. An inside look at Walmart’s New York City fashion office, where staff work on trendy designs for the retailer’s private labels. The goal is to make consumers do a double-take at a $60 cashmere sweater, because they can't believe it came from Walmart.
Shopping > politics. Anyone else’s thumbs tired from hitting mute on political ads and block on campaign texts? This guide shares how small retailers can start their holiday marketing campaigns and break through the noise of political ads this time of year.
Coupon-clipper myth. Consumers are no longer looking at price in isolation. Multiple browser tabs are open, and shoppers are doing more math than retailers expect. Last week, we answered 7 big questions on pricing and promo strategy.
VS on the runway. Memorable moments and dramatic looks from the 2026 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show this weekend.
Sponsored by NCR
Keep transactions flowing from pump to store
In convenience and fuel retail, uptime and speed aren’t optional. NCR Voyix runs your forecourt, store, foodservice and loyalty on a single platform, so your team stays in control and your customers keep moving.
Faster checkout: Contactless payments keep lines moving, and self-checkout cuts wait times and operating costs.
Smarter loyalty: Fuel-linked rewards and personalized offers bring customers back more often and grow basket size.
Fleet-ready: Accept Corpay, WEX and Voyager cards through the same POS as everyday purchases.
Protect your margins: Real-time insights help you manage pricing, inventory and labor while reducing fraud and shrink.
No disruption: Updates roll out in the background without interrupting the day.
[ THE TOP LINE ]
Consumers and marketers aren’t seeing eye-to-eye on what matters
A recent study unveiled a big disconnect between what marketers think drives sales versus what consumers say gets them to buy. A couple highlights: 56% of consumers said the lowest price is a leading consideration when deciding where to buy online, but only a quarter of marketers believe price is a top consideration. And consumers overwhelmingly prefer brand communication through email, while marketers are pouring their energy into social media.
Why this matters: It appears that many marketers are relying on assumptions rather than digging into the research of what consumers actually want. For retailers spending time, effort and money on a social media strategy or product recommendations, it might be time to take a step back and evaluate if that’s really reaching consumers as intended. (Chain Store Age)
Americans are buying now and paying the billions later
U.S. consumers spent more than $160 billion last year using buy now, pay later. Paying in four installments over six weeks was the most common setup, and usage of this plan has grown 80% since 2023. These payment plans weren’t just for big-ticket purchases, either. Some used BNPL for everyday bills, groceries and rent.
Why this matters: Who doesn’t want instant gratification? This is among the reasons BNPL has grown in popularity. Inflation (which has reached 3.7%) is only fueling it further by squeezing consumers’ wallets without dampening their desires or needs for products. For retailers, offering BNPL means another fee to pay to processors. But it could also increase sales to the point of offsetting the fee, while no BNPL option might send shoppers to competing stores. (AP News)
PS: Should you offer BNPL? In our upcoming Q&A, we look at whether the payment option is the right fit for your business. Check your inbox next Wednesday to learn more!
[ THE LOWDOWN ]
SALES UP: Retail sales beat expectations with 0.8% increase in September
PEAK SEASON: UPS to hire 100,000 workers for holiday rush, down from last two years
DEAL MAKING: 4 trends shaping retail M&A this year
TOP ISSUE: Labor quality, availability biggest challenge for small business owners, NFIB finds
AI SHOPPING: Shopify allows consumers to use AI agents beyond Meta’s Muse
EXEC LINEUP: New Lululemon CEO revamps C-suite including Athleta CEO
[ THE THINK TANK ]
Customers may remember a confusing or failed checkout more than they remember the product they came in to buy.”
Friction at the point of sale might not only be an issue for that one transaction. It could weaken trust and stop a customer from coming back to a retailer in the future. In next week’s Q&A, we look at the early warning signs your payment process might lead to unnecessary chargebacks, and how to use past POS data to make decisions about the future. Coming to your inbox Wednesday!
[ THE DOWNLOAD ]
Digital price tags frustrate consumers
Consumers are not too happy with one of the latest technologies on retail shelves: digital price tags. They’re concerned that retail businesses are using personal data to price dynamically, showing different prices for different people. Retailers using the tags (like Walmart) say the tech saves workers’ time, keeps prices current and isn’t used to raise prices based on the time of day or the individual shopper.
Why this matters: The frustration with digital tags speaks to a broader issue between retailers and shoppers, and that’s one of trust. Many shoppers are already skeptical of large businesses, and when big-box retailers make moves like digital price tags, that skepticism only grows. This is where small, independent retailers can have a clear upper hand in creating more personal, loyal, trusting relationships with their consumers—something large retailers can’t match. (ABC News)
[ POLL ]
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The SKUpe is curated and written by Shefali Kapadia and edited by Bianca Prieto.
