Welcome to this week’s edition of the RETHINK Retail newsletter!
RETHINK Retail
RETHINK Retail explores the evolution of retail in today’s connected world. Retail: podcasts, insights, research.
September 27th, 2025
Catch up on everything from engaging webinars to updates on must-attend retail events in our latest edition.
RETHINK Retail’s 2025 AI in Retail Report: Artificial Intelligence in the Everyday Store
🚀 Are Your Stores (and Others) Ready for AI?
Our AI in Retail Report uncovers how AI is transforming everyday stores into high-performance machines, from shelves to checkout.
With key insights in one place, this is your blueprint to stay ahead of the competition.
Join Microsoft for A Networking Breakfast during Groceryshop 2025
As one of the biggest names in retail technology, Microsoft and its Pegasus Program startups are shaping the way grocery retailers operate, driving innovation in inventory optimization, store assortments, contract velocity, and personalized shopper experiences.
Join Microsoft thought leaders and these disruptive founders at an exclusive Networking Breakfast on September 30, where retail and CPG executives will gain firsthand insights into the partnerships making the future of grocery possible.
📧 Request your invite to: mfsgtm@microsoft.com
Centric Software Lunch & Learn Series Episode 2: Inventory Out of Sync?
Inventory issues are costing retailers stockouts, overstocks and slow manual planning.
In Episode 2 of our retail planning series, discover how to cut replenishment planning from hours to 30 minutes a day, localize allocation based on real demand and empower
ROI within your first season. Join us on October 15 to see how AI-driven tools are reshaping inventory strategies for good.
Retail Voices Returns for NRF 2026
How Retail Voices by NRF are Selected?
Retail Voices by NRF honors individuals shaping retail innovation and leadership. Selection criteria include:
Retail Voices seek experts from diverse backgrounds (e.g., consultants, authors, speakers, tech, retailers, and brands).
The Self-Service Excellence Inflection Point: How Market Leaders Are Separating from the Pack
⚡️ Only 25% of retailers trust their self-service KPI data.
In the next 3 years, 80% of executives expect nearly half of all transactions to be customer-driven. The question isn’t if, it’s whether retailers are ready to close the confidence gap.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS REPORTS — TRENDS IN MOTION
The QSR Secret Sauce to Reducing Wait Times and Growing Sales
🍔 Ready to cut wait times and lift sales at your QSR?
Ingenico’s latest whitepaper explores how mobile-first payments, SoftPOS, kiosks, and handhelds are reshaping mid-tier quick service restaurants, driving faster service and higher revenue.
How Mid-Market Retailers Can Win Peak Seasons with Flexible Payments
📈 113M mobile POS devices in 2024, and growing fast.
Peak season doesn’t have to mean long lines and lost sales. Learn how leading retailers are using mobile-first solutions to cut queues, delight customers, and drive loyalty, without a costly overhaul.
Realizing Value with Unified Commerce
🛒 Trust is the new currency in grocery.
As consumer expectations climb and competitive pressures intensify, retailers are reimagining loyalty. The 2025 Grocery Trends Report uncovers how industry leaders are evolving to meet the moment.
Global Shopper Survey: How International Brands Can Meet Local Expectations
🌍 Shoppers Demand More in 2025
It’s no longer enough to be global, customers expect relevance, convenience, and seamless consistency every time they shop.
The Art & Science of Demand Sensing
🚀 Margins demand swings are harder to anticipate.
Retailers leveraging AI-driven demand sensing are gaining the edge, crafting smarter buying plans, accelerating allocations, and boosting profits.
WEBINAR SERIES — IDEAS IN ACTION
The Hybrid Shopper Playbook: How to Win in Grocery’s New Era
🌐 Consumers Have Moved On. Did You Keep Up?
From mobile to curbside to in-store, shoppers expect every interaction to be seamless and effortless.
📅 October 7 | 12:00 PM ET
Smart Retail Starts Here: Unlocking the Power of Item-Level Data
📊 Your Data. Your Growth. Your Advantage.
Omnichannel is booming, yet rising costs, tighter margins, and fragmented systems are slowing retailers down.
📅 October 14 | 12:00 PM ET
Human-Centric Design: Keys To Associate Success & Customer Connections
🏬 Rethinking In-Store Experiences
Discover how top retailers are using human-centric design to put shoppers and associates first, and walk away with actionable insights to elevate your own stores.
📅 October 22 | 1:00 PM ET
FEATURED EVENTS — MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Groceryshop Kickoff Party 2025
🎉 Celebrate the Season with Us!
Join an exclusive evening for retailers to network, learn, and be inspired.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with peers from:
Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Nestlé, Monster Energy, Unilever, Mars, Amazon, Microsoft, Ferrero, BJ’s, Bayer and many more…
Sponsored by: Diebold Nixdorf, Birdzi, ProductWind, NielsenIQ, Jivox, Fluent & Doss
GRL Dinner during Groceryshop 2025
INNOVATION THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
🚀 Bold Ideas. Real Results. Lasting Connections.
September 30 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM ET
Sponsored by: Kyndryl
An Exclusive Midtown Dinner with Moonshot AI
On October 14th, Moonshoot AI and RETHINK Retail are hosting an exclusive Global Retail Leaders Dinner at Butter Midtown.
An evening of big ideas, bold conversations, and brilliant networking, don’t miss it. Seats are limited! 🔥
NEW PODCAST EPISODES — VOICES WORTH HEARING
Heritage and Digital Transformation
How does a 200-year-old porcelain icon stay relevant in the digital age? Discover it from Vista Alegre, Carla Graça
How to Prepare for Disruptions
Retailers face rising risks from extreme weather and disruptions, but the right strategies keep operations resilient.
Nation-Building Through Purpose
How does one of the world’s most influential business groups blends agility, scale, and social responsibility?
VIDEOS YOU CAN'T MISS — HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
Is Your Holiday Checkout Ready?
🎄 Holiday shopping surges don’t wait. Is your checkout ready?
Scott Spencer, President of North America at Ingenico, shares how leading retailers are cutting wait times by 50%, turning long lines into seamless moments, and empowering associates with mobile POS solutions.
Transform Retail with Connected Stores
🎥 Bringing Real-World Retail Innovation to Life, on-site at the VusionGroup Customer Experience Center