Retail Heartbeat

Walmart to Acquire AR Optical Tech Company
The acquisition of Memomi enables Walmart to continue to offer virtual optical try-on capabilities and contact-free digital measurements.
Advance Auto Parts Opens 22 Stores in California
The new store openings are part of the North Carolina-based retailer’s broader strategic expansion into the Western U.S., announced in 2021.

Innovation
Lowe’s Throws Hard Hat Into the Metaverse
The home improvement retailer launches a wearable NFT collection and hundreds of free home decor digital assets to inspire builders via its new metaverse hub.
Collaboration
Halsey's Cosmetics Brand Exclusively Launches at Ulta
About-Face's exclusive deal with Ulta Beauty is the cosmetics brand’s first retail partnership.
Future of In-Store Experience
Digital Native Fishing Brand Goes Experiential
Karl's Fishing & Outdoors, owned by Chicago-based Catch Co., has opened its first brick-and-mortar store, featuring a clean design and tech-enabled experiences.
Retail Media
Report: State of the Retail Media Industry
New Dunnhumby research shows vast potential of CPG and agency media spend but reveals shortcomings in retailers’ existing media offerings — and identifies innovations shaping the future of the industry.
Social Responsibility
L.L. Bean Returns to Social Media After Month ‘Off the Grid’
Following Mental Health Awareness month in May, the retailer marked its return to social media with a renewed focus on the outdoors and its benefits.
Diversity and Inclusion
Walmart Launches Exclusive Party Line From Black-Owned DTC Brand
After facing some online scrutiny for a Juneteenth-themed private-label ice cream flavor, the retailer has partnered with lifestyle brand Afro Showers.
Pulse Report: New Product Pacesetters
January / February 2014
Times & Trends: Opportunities for private label and national brands lie in collaboration
During the past year, national brands captured share across five of the 10 largest CPG categories, and share of dollar sales remains 18 percent. Private label share has also increased across half of the largest CPG categories, with drug, convenience and dollar channels showing the most momentum.
September / October 2013
Pulse report: How America Eats - Capturing Growth with Food on the Run
President of IRI Consumer & Shopper Marketing
Fall 2013
SPECIAL REPORT: Channel Migration - Frugal shoppers target value
Today's shoppers have become much more adept at finding value. They are "channel surfing" with increased frequency to research products and find deals, and shopping more channel types in search of value and trip mission fit.
July / August 2013
Pulse report:Convenience Stores: Keep the Core; Appeal to More
The convenience channel was the only channel to experience both dollar sales and unit growth in 2012, according to the IRI report, "Convenience Stores: Keep the Core; Appeal to More."
May / June 2013
Pulse report: New Product Pacesetters - Consumer-Centric Innovation Delivers Results
executive vice president, insights practice leader, IRI

A collection of news, articles and other featured content about Retail Heartbeat.