SmartGifty Editorial Team

How Agile Retail Spaces Are Outperforming Traditional Formats

Expert series / By

In this edition, we hand the pen to Ghalia Boustani — Ephemeral Retailing Specialist, published author, and podcast host. With a background that bridges research and real-world execution, Ghalia examines how flexibility has become the defining factor in the survival and success of physical retail. Drawing on empirical insight and Paris-based case studies, she outlines …

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From food courts to fine dining: How shopping malls became culinary destinations

General / By

Introduction If you think of shopping malls, the first image might be crowds, clothing stores, and holiday sales. But there’s another side to the mall experience — one that has transformed dramatically over the years: the food. From greasy pizza slices to Michelin-starred pop-ups, malls have gone from quick snack stops to culinary destinations. The …

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Why People — Not Technology — Will Decide Retail’s Future

Expert series / By

In this special edition, we’re handing the pen to someone who’s spent more than two decades at the heart of the retail world — Melissa Moore. If you’ve ever tuned into The Retail Tea Break, you already know her as the voice that brings clarity, honesty, and sharp insight to an industry that never stops …

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Why the Holidays Demand a Strong, Ready Team — and Why “Bonding Is the New Branding”

Expert series / By

Welcome to the first edition of our industry insights newsletter, where we sit down with leaders shaping the future of retail, destinations, and customer experience. Each issue will bring you honest conversations, sharp perspectives, and practical ideas you can apply to your own work. We are privileged to commence this series with insights from Linda …

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Destination Place Making: A Consultant’s Perspective on the Future of Retail Malls

Expert series / By

In this edition, we turn our focus to one of the most important shifts shaping the next decade of retail. As malls across the world re-evaluate their purpose, one truth is becoming clear: the future belongs to destinations — places designed not just for shopping, but for connection, identity, and meaning. To explore this transformation, …

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Holiday 2025: How gift cards are redefining the season of giving

General / By

Introduction December is the most magical — and most profitable — month of the year for retailers. Holiday lights shine, shopping centers are packed, and online carts overflow. But in recent years, one trend has quietly reshaped the way people give and receive: the rise of gift cards as the go-to holiday present. In 2025, …

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From certificates to cards: The fascinating origins of the modern gift card

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Introduction Gift cards seem like a given today: browse online, pick a design, email or print, redeem in store or on an app. But the journey from simple paper certificates to the sleek digital cards we tap or scan is rich with twists, inventions, and unexpected entrepreneurs. Let’s rewind and explore how we got here. …

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Numbers don’t lie: Gift card trends shaping the 2025 holiday season

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Introduction With the holiday shopping season looming, retailers and consumers alike are looking for clues: What will drive gifting behaviors this year? Where should marketing dollars go? Which gift card formats will win? As it turns out, the data from earlier in 2025 already offers a map — a detailed snapshot of what’s working, what’s …

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