This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: After hinting at the experience in October, Target will launch a beta version of an app on OpenAI’s ChatGPT next week. The on-platform app will allow customers to make multi-item purchases, buy fresh food products and select from drive up, pick up or shipping fulfillment options, per a Wednesday press release. The mass retailer said consumers will be a ...

Core Insights - The RealReal reported strong third-quarter results, with gross merchandise value (GMV) increasing by 20% to $520 million and revenue rising by 17% to $174 million, leading to an upward revision of full-year GMV guidance to over $2.1 billion [2][3] Sales Performance - The company’s internal report highlighted fine jewelry as the fastest-growing category, with first-time watch buyers increasing by 46% and searches for wedding dresses rising by 247% year-over-year [4] - Handbag searches for fair-condition items grew by 32%, indicating a shift towards practicality and value retention among consumers [4] Consumer Behavior - Economic conditions are influencing consumer behavior, with nearly 70% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and 25% struggling to pay bills recently [5] - Almost half of U.S. shoppers now purchase secondhand items as frequently as new ones, suggesting that resale has become a regular purchasing behavior rather than a niche choice [5] Operational Efficiency - The company’s growth strategy emphasizes supply quality and operational discipline, with a revised compensation plan that increased average supply value per luxury manager by 12% [7] - The AI-enabled intake system, Athena, managed 27% of all items during the quarter and is projected to handle 40% by year-end, automating authentication and listing processes [8] Financial Metrics - Gross profit rose by 16% to $129 million, supported by higher-value sales and automation gains, while consignment margins improved to 89% and direct-sales margins rose to 21% [11] - Operating expenses decreased by 6% as a share of revenue, reflecting continued cost discipline, with the company ending the quarter with $123 million in cash and reducing debt by $86 million since early 2024 [11] Future Outlook - For the fourth quarter, The RealReal expects GMV between $585 million and $595 million, representing an approximate 17% increase, and revenue between $188 million and $191 million, up roughly 16% [12] - Management anticipates that efficiency improvements and sustained consumer demand for secondhand luxury will support steady growth into 2026 [12] Customer Engagement - Users who both buy and consign, referred to as "Flywheelers," are two to three times more valuable than single-side participants, driving higher transaction frequency and long-term loyalty [9] - The RealReal's high-value pop-up events generated over $2.6 million in supply within a few days, indicating strong engagement with luxury consignors [10]

Core Viewpoint - Alpha Modus, Corp. has filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Lowe's Companies, Inc. and Lowe's Home Centers, LLC, asserting six U.S. patents related to AI-driven retail technologies [1][3]. Patent Infringement Details - The lawsuit claims infringement of six patents covering technologies for real-time inventory management, customer assistance, personalized in-store advertising, dynamic store layout optimization, and behavioral data-driven retail engagement [3][5]. - The accused Lowe's systems include Dwell heat-mapping platform, Axis/Genetec camera network, Store Digital Twin, One Roof Media Network, Mylow Companion AI application, and Innovation Labs initiatives, which utilize real-time behavioral and visual analytics [4][6]. Technology Overview - The asserted patents protect methods for: - Using image recognition and behavioral data for dynamic inventory and pricing management [5]. - Delivering real-time personalized promotions based on shopper sentiment [5]. - Generating optimized store layouts from traffic and dwell-time analytics [5]. - Integrating AI-driven personalization engines linking in-store behavior with digital marketing [6]. Company Background - Alpha Modus Holdings, Inc. develops and licenses patented AI technologies that enhance physical retail performance through behavioral analytics and real-time computer vision [7].

Core Insights - Lightspeed Commerce Inc. has launched Showroom, an AI-supported platform designed for physical retailers to establish an online presence without the complexities of eCommerce [2][3][5] Company Overview - Lightspeed operates as a unified omnichannel platform for retail and hospitality businesses in over 100 countries, providing tools to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations [2][7] - The company is dual-listed on the New York Stock Exchange and Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols LSPD [10] Product Features - Showroom allows retailers to create a custom-branded website and catalog with minimal setup, leveraging AI to manage the process [4][8] - Key features include real-time inventory visibility, automatic catalog creation from existing product data, and the ability to scale into full eCommerce when ready [5][8] Target Market - The platform is specifically designed for store-first retailers with strong local customer bases, enabling them to showcase their in-store experience while meeting digital expectations [3][6] Strategic Vision - The launch of Showroom reflects Lightspeed's commitment to providing modern tools that empower retailers to compete effectively without forcing them into a traditional eCommerce model [6][5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [5][36] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations, while gross margin improved to 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year [36][38] - Comparable average ticket increased by 2.1%, but comparable transactions declined by 3.8% due to unfavorable weather impacting spring traffic [36][37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, driven by a strong product and service offering [10][28] - Online sales rose by 6%, supported by increased traffic and conversion rates [13] - The company saw solid growth in categories such as patio furniture, fertilizer, and appliances, despite ongoing pressure in DIY discretionary project demand [19][22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a decline in DIY bigger ticket discretionary demand, attributed to macroeconomic uncertainties and unfavorable weather conditions [6][24] - The housing market remains a significant focus, with an estimated 18 million new homes needed in the U.S. by 2033, driving pro plan spending [11][52] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is committed to diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and efforts to reduce dependency on China [8][9] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion is expected to enhance pro penetration and position the company in a fragmented $50 billion market [11][39] - The company aims to accelerate online growth and enhance customer experience through technology investments, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser named Milo [15][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate macroeconomic challenges, citing healthy consumer balance sheets and positive demand drivers [78] - The outlook for fiscal 2025 remains unchanged, with expected sales between $83.5 billion and $84.5 billion and comparable sales projected to be flat to up 1% [40][42] Other Important Information - The company celebrated its recognition as number one in customer satisfaction among home improvement retailers by J.D. Power [6][25] - The company is focused on community support initiatives, including a commitment to deliver 10 million square feet of impact nationwide [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Larger Pro and Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro penetration and capitalize on market opportunities [49][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [66][70] Question: Soft trends in bigger ticket projects - Management noted that consumer confidence and mortgage rates are key factors affecting larger discretionary spending [80][81] Question: Performance in markets with steady spring weather - Management confirmed that business performance improves significantly with favorable weather conditions [89][91] Question: DIY environment and competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [99][100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported sales of $20.9 billion, with comparable sales down 1.7%, aligning with expectations [4][36] - Gross margin was 33.4%, up 19 basis points from the previous year, driven by productivity initiatives and improvements in shrink and credit revenue [38] - Operating margin rate declined by 50 basis points to 11.9% compared to the prior year [39] - Diluted earnings per share were $2.92, consistent with expectations [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Pro sales experienced mid-single-digit growth, reflecting the effectiveness of the company's strategy [10][28] - Online sales increased by 6%, supported by higher traffic and conversion rates [13] - The DIY segment faced pressure, particularly in larger discretionary projects, impacting overall sales [24][37] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Comparable transactions declined by 3.8%, influenced by unfavorable weather conditions early in the quarter [37] - Comp sales were down 5.4% in February, up 1.7% in March, and down 2.6% in April, indicating a weather-related impact on sales [38] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on diversifying global sourcing, with approximately 60% of purchases originating in the U.S. and 20% from China [7][8] - The acquisition of Artisan Design Group for $1.325 billion aims to enhance penetration in the pro market, which is valued at $50 billion [11][40] - The company is committed to accelerating online growth and enhancing customer experience through technology, including the launch of an AI-powered virtual adviser [14][15] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the consumer's overall health but acknowledged challenges in the DIY segment due to elevated mortgage rates [78][81] - The company anticipates a flat to slightly positive comp sales outlook for the first half of the year, with expectations for improvement in the second half driven by strategic initiatives [41][95] Other Important Information - The company generated $2.9 billion in free cash flow in Q1 and paid $645 million in dividends [39] - The company plans to open five to ten new stores later this year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Relationship of comp to expense leverage for the rest of the year - Management indicated that the first half is mainly a weather story, expecting roughly flat comps and strong inventory levels for Q2 [46][48] Question: Impact of Artisan Design Group acquisition - Management expressed confidence in the acquisition, viewing it as a strategic move to enhance pro market penetration and capitalize on future housing recovery [50][52] Question: Tariffs and pricing impacts - Management emphasized a portfolio approach to pricing and strong supplier relationships to navigate tariff impacts [68][70] Question: DIY market competition - Management acknowledged increased competition but emphasized the importance of product knowledge and customer service as competitive advantages [98][100] Question: Pro business performance and weather impact - Management confirmed that weather significantly impacted Q1 performance but noted improvements as conditions normalized [107]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, GMV increased by 9% year over year to $490 million, while revenue rose by 11% to $160 million [25][8] - Adjusted EBITDA reached $4 million, an increase of $6 million compared to Q1 of the previous year, marking the third consecutive quarter of positive adjusted EBITDA [29][24] - Gross margin improved by 40 basis points year over year to 75%, driven by operational efficiencies [28][8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consignment revenue increased by 7%, while direct revenue surged by 61% compared to Q1 2024 [25] - Average order value (AOV) rose by 5% year over year to $564, indicating strong buyer engagement [8][57] - The company reported its highest number of new consignors in over two years, contributing to supply growth [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Active buyers increased by 7% on a trailing twelve-month basis, reaching 985,000 [25] - The company expects direct revenue to remain between 10% to 15% of total revenues going forward [26][46] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on three strategic pillars: unlocking supply through a growth playbook, driving operational efficiencies, and obsessing over service [9][24] - The "Get Paid Now" program aims to enhance direct revenue by allowing consignors to receive upfront payments for high-demand items [14][26] - The company is leveraging AI and automation to improve operational efficiencies and customer experience [6][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate uncertainties in the macroeconomic environment, particularly due to its unique position in the luxury resale market [5][32] - The company anticipates that rising prices in the primary market could motivate consumers to monetize their closets, potentially increasing supply [88][87] - Guidance for Q2 2025 includes GMV expectations of $476 million to $486 million, reflecting 9% growth year over year [32][30] Other Important Information - The company ended Q1 2025 with $154 million in cash and cash equivalents [30] - Operating cash flow for Q1 was negative $28 million due to timing of incentive payments and working capital seasonality [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide context around the improvements in direct gross margin? - Management noted that direct revenues consist of out-of-policy returns and vendor purchases, with the "Get Paid Now" initiative significantly improving profitability, achieving a margin of 25.5% compared to 3% last year [37][27] Question: What signals are being observed in consumer behavior amid macro uncertainty? - Management indicated that consumer health has been resilient, with consistent strength in buyer engagement and new consignor growth [39][41] Question: Is there seasonality in direct revenue as a percentage of total revenue? - Management confirmed that direct revenue is expected to remain between 10% to 15% of total revenues without inherent seasonality [46][46] Question: How did the revenue mix play out in Q1? - The revenue mix was consistent with expectations, with direct revenue comprising about 10% to 15% of total revenue [82][81] Question: What is the outlook for the second quarter revenue guidance? - Management reiterated that the guidance reflects a consistent growth pattern, with revenue expected to grow by 9% year over year [92][93]