Industry News

March is a time to honor the architects of change, the women who looked at "the way things are" and decided to build something better. In the male-dominated world of beverage alcohol, few people embody that spirit of architectural rebellion quite like Katey “Bunny” Rafanello.

As consumers spend more time online and engaging with Artificial Intelligence (AI), many are actively seeking out shopping experiences that feel more human, tactile and personal. In particular, thrift and arts and crafts stores are gaining traction due to the tactile, treasure-hunt shopping experience they offer.

A new Constant Contact report found that small business owners are meeting economic headwinds with aggression rather than retraction. While inflation and rising costs remain the top business concern for 41% of owners, the vast majority are planning to invest significantly more resources into their marketing efforts to secure growth.

In late January, the House passed a bill that would direct the SBA to provide education and support to small businesses to help them adopt AI technologies. Put together by Congressman Troy Downing (MT-02) H.R. 5784, the AI-WISE Act received overwhelming bipartisan support.

The impact of inflation, high interest rates and global supply chain disruptions is still fresh for consumers, influencing what they buy, how they purchase and where they shop. Considering these factors can inform retailers about pricing, channels and potential collaboration.

Consumer spending on Valentine’s Day is expected to reach a record $29.1 billion, according to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount surpasses the previous record of $27.5 billion in 2025.

December Retail Monitor data saw a sharp surge in growth as consumers continued prioritizing holiday spending on family and friends.

In an era where screens dominate nearly every waking hour, it’s tempting to assume that print media has quietly shuffled off into the archive room, somewhere between the fax machine and the Rolodex. But it hasn’t disappeared, it has simply evolved, narrowed its focus, and in many ways become more powerful precisely because it is no longer everywhere.

As holiday shopping ramps up and consumers flock to stores to gather last-minute gifts for their loved ones, new Ingenico data shows how shoppers are adjusting their spending and payment habits amid rising costs. Based on the findings, one thing is clear: consumers are not cutting back on holiday spending.

Retail sales saw strong year-over-year growth in November, with the first half of the holiday shopping season putting results on track to meet the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) spending forecast, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.