Joan Verdon

CONTRIBUTOR

About Joan

Joan Verdon has been covering business and retail news for the past 25 years. She has covered trends in tech, manufacturing, real estate and retail, first for The Record of North Jersey and USA Today, and now for CO—. She is a senior contributor, retail, for Forbes.com. Her passion is reporting on how Americans buy and sell. She has covered the birth of billion-dollar companies and the evolution of 100-year-old brands. Previously, she has been an education, general assignment and investigative reporter for The Grand Rapids Press and Buffalo Courier-Express. She spent a year working on Capitol Hill as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow.

Latest—
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Holiday Shopping Marketing Trends Predict 2025 Retail Trends

Consumers shifted where and how they shopped this holiday season, sending clear messages about what businesses should focus on going forward.

What Amazon is Doing To Help Small Business Sellers During the Holiday Season

The online giant’s new AI-powered tools produce marketing content and analyze sales data, enabling SMBs to use its supply chain and e-commerce tools anywhere they sell products.

Lovesac’s Founder on How Its ‘Designed for Life’ Philosophy Will Fuel Growth

The furniture company that won big with its ‘Sactional’ couches is betting its ‘buy better, buy less’ message will make it a billion-dollar brand.

Back-To-School: 5 Key Lessons for Businesses Based on Shopping Trends

Consumers are more value- and cost-conscious than ever, but they still have enough spending power to reward businesses that know how to reach them.

LinkedIn Exec on New Tools Designed to Fuel Growth for SMBs and Entrepreneurs

The professional networking platform unveils new ways to both connect with prospective customers and showcase small businesses’ achievements, says Ora Levit, Vice President, Product Management.

How Google Is Expanding Its AI Tools to Help Small Businesses Connect With More Customers

Brands now can add images, videos, and reviews to their profile pages, and boost customer engagement with AI-generated immersive ads.

How Bugaboo North America Created a Parent-Friendly Culture That Yields High Worker Satisfaction

Expanded paid maternity leave and remote-work flexibility has resulted in improved employee engagement and happiness.

Founder of Menswear Brand UNTUCKit on Taking an Innovative Idea to Profitability and Plans for Future Growth

The 13-year-old company is growing its store footprint and expanding into wholesale.

How ‘Retail Concierges’ (Both Digital and Human) Are Poised to Disrupt the Shopping Experience

AI-powered virtual sales assistants and improved tools for store employees will anticipate shoppers’ needs and provide VIP-level service at scale.

Future Shop: Retail Innovations That Will Change How Consumers Spend in 2024 and Beyond

A look at tech ranging from scan-and-go checkout and AI-fueled digital ‘humanoid’ assistants to other breakthroughs that experts say will transform the customer experience.