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- The Art of the Impulse Buy: How Retailers Can Drive Delight, Not Just Dollars
The Art of the Impulse Buy: How Retailers Can Drive Delight, Not Just Dollars
Ecommerce has completely redefined impulse buying—what was once limited to last-minute candy at the checkout is now 40% of all online purchases, revealing just how powerfully digital platforms are shaping spontaneous shopping habits.

📢 Hey, Retailist Roundup readers! If impulse buys used to mean gum at checkout, why are 40% of all e-commerce purchases now made on a whim and what does that say about how we shop today?
News from Retailist
Consumer psychology, behavioral economics, and game design have replaced proximity to checkout as the leading cause of impulse purchases and, if done right, the consumer gets a jolt of delight instead of fresh cavities.
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In the news: Top headlines this week
Amazon Prime Day set to lift US online sales to $23.8 billion, Adobe estimates. Online spending during this week’s 96-hour Amazon Prime Day event is projected to hit $23.8 billion, a 28.4% increase from last year—as shoppers hunt for back-to-school deals, according to Adobe Analytics. [Reuters]
Tariffs drive US clothing imports from China to 22-year low in May. U.S. apparel imports from China dropped in May to their lowest monthly level in 22 years, as steep tariffs and strained trade relations continue to erode China’s dominance in the U.S. clothing market. [Reuters]
Retailers avoided a worst case scenario in Vietnam. But executives say Trump’s trade deal could still hit consumers. Brazilian President Lula da Silva announced that Brazil will impose reciprocal tariffs in response to U.S. President Trump’s newly announced 50% tariff on Brazilian exports, set to begin August 1, citing a new law allowing proportional countermeasures. [CNBC]
J.C. Penney to hold down prices for back to school, holiday despite Q1 declines. J.C. Penney’s Q1 net sales fell 4.3% to $1.3 billion, but strong gains in beauty, jewelry, home, men’s, and kids’ lifted performance. While net loss widened to $69 million, adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $2 million, excluding restructuring costs. [Retail Dive]
RetailMeNot: Parents budgeting, cutting back on back-to-school spend. Back-to-school shoppers are cutting back this year, with parents planning to spend an average of $389 for K–12 students—down from $506 last year—while college spending is expected to drop from $821 to $598, as budget concerns top the list of stressors, per RetailMeNot. [CSA]
Job Board: This week’s Top Openings in DTC, RetailTech, and more
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Associate Manager, Retail Training & Development (New York, NY) Tapestry - Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman - more here
Account Sales Manager (Downers Grove, IL) Grainger - more here
Manager, Project & Program Mgt, Program Management (Richmond, VA) Mondelēz International - more here
Marketing Automation Manager (3 Locations) Upside - more here
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