8 of the Best Retail Blogs Every Retailer Should Be Reading

We are always on the lookout for articles that will help you grow, market, fund, and manage your business. While we often write these articles ourselves, sometimes we come across an external blog that’s just too good not to share.

This article, written by Clifford Chi from HubSpot, originally appeared on their Marketing Blog. While their content spans multiple industries, we’ll focus on the best retail-specific picks.

The retail industry is constantly evolving. Ten years ago, shopping malls were bustling, but now Cyber Monday outpaces Black Friday in sales by $1.5 billion. With the rise of online shopping and the challenges brick-and-mortar stores face, staying informed is key. Retail blogs are an excellent resource to keep up with industry trends and changes.

Here are eight of the best retail blogs that can help you adapt and thrive in this fast-paced landscape.

1. Shopify Plus

Shopify Plus, Shopify’s enterprise arm, structures its editorial content like a TV series, offering in-depth, narrative-driven articles on eCommerce success stories, behavioral economics, and buyer psychology. Their mix of industry data and easy-to-understand stories helps retailers grasp the latest tactics and trends.

2. National Retail Federation

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is the largest retail trade association in the U.S. and has been advocating for retailers for over a century. Their blog covers a wide range of topics including consumer trends, retail technology, and seasonal trends. They also share insights through studies, surveys, and their podcast Retail Gets Real.

3. The Retail Doctor

Bob Phibbs, known as the “Retail Doctor,” is a retail consultant who has worked with big brands like LEGO and Mastercard. His blog, which was named the best retail blog in 2018 by Feedspot, offers a wide variety of advice from holiday shopping strategies to handling difficult customers in-store.

4. Retail Dive

Retail Dive is part of Industry Dive, a digital media company that provides news and analysis for business executives. Their blog covers retail technology, eCommerce, marketing, payments, and logistics. They also offer opinion pieces, industry event posts, and their own podcast Conversational Commerce.

5. Square

Square, a leading credit card reader for small businesses, shares tips on running a retail business more effectively. Their blog includes customer success stories, data insights, marketing strategies, and financial management tips, helping retailers grow their businesses.

6. Medallion Retail

With over 50 years of experience in in-store marketing for brands like Starbucks and Converse, Medallion Retail offers insights into signage, pop-up retail, and creating memorable in-store experiences. Their blog is a valuable resource for retailers looking to improve their physical presence.

7. Forrester Retail

Forrester is a market research firm that focuses on how technology can impact businesses. Their blog offers predictions for the retail industry, along with research reports that retailers can use to understand how to leverage technology to meet changing consumer preferences.

8. Shopify Retail

Originally founded to sell snowboards, Shopify has evolved into the leading eCommerce platform for retailers. Their blog covers marketing, sales, customer experience, and omnichannel strategies, making it a go-to resource for eCommerce businesses.

These retail blogs can help keep you informed and ready to adapt to the fast-changing retail landscape.

Originally published on November 12, 2018, updated the same day.

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