Joe Keenan

Philadelphia

Editor-in-Chief at Total Retail

Editor-in-Chief at NAPCO Media

Host at Total Retail Talks

Editor-in-Chief at Women in Retail Leadership Circle

Editor-in-Chief at Retail Tech Insights

Articles

Rite Aid Files for Bankruptcy - Again

2 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

Total Retail's Take: According to a statement from Matt Schroeder, Rite Aid’s CEO, the pharmacy chain is seeing meaningful interest from a number of potential national and regional strategic acquirors, which could be the lifeline needed to keep it in business. While its struggles are seemingly more pronounced and dire, Rite Aid isn't the only pharmacy chain facing challenges.
Nikki Baird on Consumer Sentiment, Unified CX, and the Evolving Role of Stores

2 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

In this exclusive interview, Total Retail speaks with Nikki Baird, vice president of strategy and product at Aptos, to explore the evolving retail landscape. Baird offers valuable insights into shifting consumer behavior, the growing importance of unified customer experiences, and the strategic role of technology — particularly artificial intelligence — in enhancing in-store engagement.
A Seafaring Legacy Thanks to Captain Bob

3 weeks ago | vineyardgazette.com | Joe Keenan

Thirty-eight years ago on the beach in front of the Coastwise Packet Co., located next to The Black Dog Tavern, a man asked me a question that completely changed the direction of my life. That man was Captain Bob Douglas and the words of the query were: “So, can you cook?”The words came after a brief interview, if it can be called that, wherein I told the Captain of my brief time working on draggers out of P-town and of the various restaurant jobs I had up to that point.
Saks Launches a Luxury Storefront on Amazon

3 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

Saks Fifth Avenue has launched a multibrand luxury storefront on Amazon Fashion, according to a Tuesday press release. The new shopping section is called Luxury Stores at Amazon. It features a selection of merchandise curated by Saks Fifth Avenue, including women’s and men’s ready-to-wear, beauty, shoes, handbags, and accessories. The launch is accompanied by specially designed digital displays inspired by the windows of the Saks Fifth Avenue New York City flagship.
Temu Adds 'Import Charges' to Offset Tariffs

3 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

Chinese e-tailer Temu has started adding “import charges” of about 145 percent in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs. The fees, which began appearing over the weekend after price hikes went into effect on Friday, cost more than the individual products consumers are buying and can more than double the price of a typical order.
Halara Global Brand President on its Near-Zero Inventory Model

3 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

In episode 480 of Total Retail Talks, Editor-in-Chief Joe Keenan interviews Jessica Thompson, global brand president of Halara, women's activewear-inspired everyday apparel. Listen in as Thompson provides an overview of the athleisure brand (1:40), its direct-to-consumer e-commerce distribution channels (2:25), and shares her career journey that lead to her current role (3:10).
Mother’s Day Spending Expected to Reach $34.1B

3 weeks ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

Consumer spending on Mother’s Day is expected to reach $34.1 billion this year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. The amount is up from last year’s $33.5 billion and follows closely behind the record of $35.7 billion in 2023. Eighty-four percent of U.S. adults are expected to celebrate the holiday.
The Fall and Rise of the American Shopping Mall

1 month ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

In recent decades, spending after-school hours at local shopping malls was a rite of passage for teens and young adults, serving as an important social space for cultivating independence in a social setting. These experiences provided a first taste of consumerism and personal responsibility. The American mall not only provided a venue for leisure activities but also functioned as a microcosm of societal structures.
The Evolution of Digital Gift Cards: Top Performers and Key Trends in 2025

1 month ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

As digital commerce continues to evolve, gift cards have transformed into a strategic engagement tool for merchants. The 2025 edition of the Best Digital Gift Card Programs report, produced by Blackhawk Network and NAPCO Research, offers a deep dive into how 100 U.S. brands are optimizing their digital gift card programs — and which ones are setting the standard. Benchmarking the BestThe study evaluated 100 U.S. brands, spanning 17 product verticals, across 175 unique criteria.
Tractor Supply Company Launches Online Pet Pharmacy

1 month ago | mytotalretail.com | Joe Keenan

Tractor Supply Company, the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, announced the launch of Tractor Supply Rx, the company’s pet and animal pharmacy offering. Customers can now shop for pet and animal medications, enroll in automatic delivery through the Autoship program, and access expert pharmacy advice via the online pharmacy.