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Call for Entries: 2023 Product Design and Innovation Award
TGA
For more than 20 years, the gia Awards have recognized and honored the best in retailing, product design and innovation. Will you be among this year’s honorees? There’s only one way to find out. Sign up to exhibit at Travel Gear + Luggage presented by the Travel Goods Association at The Inspired Home Show, March 4-7 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. You’ll then be eligible to enter. Deadline for award entries is January 21. Email Cathy Trecartin to reserve your booth today. The Big Reveal will take place during the gia Global Innovation Awards Dinner on Saturday, March 4, 6:30-10 p.m., at the Radisson Blu Aqua.
‘Surge Finally Over,’ U.S. Imports Back Near Pre-Pandemic Levels
FREIGHT WAVES
The “new normal” is looking a lot like the old normal as U.S. imports continue to fall. Volumes began declining sharply in September and were already close to 2019 levels by the end of last year. They’re expected to pull even with pre-COVID numbers this month and next. The “pandemic-driven surge [is] finally over,” said the National Retail Federation (NRF). READ MORE
Why Air Travel Melted Down…Again
NEW YORK MAGAZINE
The U.S. awoke yesterday morning to a massive and as-yet-unexplained disruption in the national air-travel system triggered by the failure of an obscure but crucial FAA service called Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAMs. The shutdown began at 3:30 a.m. and by 7 a.m. had resulted in the delay of over a thousand flights as the FAA halted the departure of all domestic flights. READ MORE
How to Clean Your Luggage
THE NEW YORK TIMES
One of the perks of reviewing luggage for a living means I don’t use a single bag often enough that it ever needs this kind of deep maintenance. But it seems true (especially after conducting research for this article) that I should — at least occasionally — try to tidy things up. Courage, friends. Let’s begin! READ MORE
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How Venture Capital Will Empower Retail in 2023
NRF
Cutting costs through technology efficiencies will be arguably the most powerful tool for retailers and ecommerce brands in 2023. Because of this, venture capitalists are bullish on technologies that can drive revenue and cut costs for companies in the year ahead. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest line items for retailers and brands — and where technology can help. READ MORE
Retail Industry Legislation and Policies to Watch in 2023
MODERNRETAIL
From credit card swipe fees, to long-awaited rules around data privacy, retail interests are going to be eyeing proposals at the state and federal levels. Some policies have the potential to broadly change retail practices across sectors, like new data privacy laws. But there’s also the potential for more niche proposals that apply to areas like payment platforms or the fashion industry. READ MORE
Shoppers Expect Seamless BNPL Checkout Both Online and In-Store
PYMNTS.COM
Consumers leaned into buy now, pay later (BNPL) options this holiday season as inflation strains their budgets, but despite its roots as an online payment method, BNPL has expanded to use in stores. With one-quarter of all shoppers blending in-store and online shopping this year, rewards await retailers that offer both online and offline BNPL — seamlessly. READ MORE
Blended Travel Comes of Age
SKIFT
The travel industry has acknowledged the pandemic led to a surge in people blending leisure with work. Now it’s got to figure out how to unravel the Great Merging to better serve this new and dynamic customer persona. READ MORE
6 of the Best First-Class Seats You Can Book Nearly for Free with Travel Rewards
CNN UNDERSCORED
Much like business class, the world’s top airlines have consistently strived to outdo one another to introduce cutting-edge first-class cabins that are more luxurious and high-tech than the generation before. The best part? By leveraging travel rewards, you can potentially book a first-class seat for less than the price of coach. Here are six of the best first-class seats you can book with points and miles. READ MORE
Retail Executives See Recession Ahead
YAHOO! LIFE
Like other recent surveys, retail executives said they expect in-store traffic to dip this year while seeing an increase in online sales. When asked about their most significant concerns this year, inflation topped the list, followed by increased operating costs, increased product input costs and eroded margins. READ MORE
Microsoft Unveils a Retail Media Offering Taking Direct Aim at Amazon
MODERNRETAIL
Earlier this week, Microsoft announced the pilot release of the Microsoft Retail Advertising Network, which is designed to help more retailers monetize their website traffic. Brands using the broader Microsoft Advertising platform will be able to set up their campaigns to serve ads on Microsoft and partner properties, as well as on the website of retailers participating in the Microsoft Retail Advertising Network. The company also said it has plans to help power retailers’ offline campaigns as part of this new program. READ MORE
The Quality Every Leader Should Have to Succeed in Today’s World, Revealed
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
Leaders who survive through turbulent times usually set themselves out from the rest by way of qualities, such as courage, resilience, forward-looking prospection or simply by harnessing exceptional talents of others. The World Economic Forum’s Innovators Community share one characteristic they believe every leader should possess to succeed in today’s world. READ MORE
TRENDING ARTICLES
Missed last week’s issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
- 26 Useful Travel Items You’ll Be Surprised You Ever Lived Without — Starting at $11 (TODAY)
- 5 Amazon Travel Products You Should Add to Your Cart ASAP (TRAVEL NOIRE)
- A Godfather, an Interpreter and a Teacher Walk into the Travel Biz (TGA)
- 5 Moves Travel Brands Can Take to Prepare for a Recession (TRAVEL PULSE)
- 5 Ways to Make Travel More Meaningful in 2023 (NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC)