Relevant, reliable data is critical for decision-making, but often hard to come by or sort through. It’s important for retailers to get to the bottom line as quickly as possible — and we’re debuting a newsletter aiming to make that easier.

Introducing The Total, a monthly LinkedIn newsletter providing retailers with insights that reflect not only what’s happening now but also what’s coming next. We’re creating it to help retailers interpret complex data, navigate market challenges, and make smarter decisions. 

The story behind the name

Our concept originates with a direct nod to the most tangible reminder of a retail transaction: the itemized receipt. Whether printed or emailed, receipts include all the important information for retailers and consumers alike. But the information that everybody cares about the most is the very last line: the total amount paid. And so, we have The Total, your bottom line for retail trends.

We intend for The Total to be a resource covering insights across the grocery, fuel, c-store, and restaurant categories. Each month, the newsletter will offer data, trends, and actionable advice from industry experts to help retailers to optimize for growth.

How The Total stands out

With 100,000 retailers in our marketplace, Upside has unparalleled access to billions of retail transactions. Our team is in the unique position to analyze those transactions and share relevant insights with retailers. 

Unlike other industry newsletters, The Total is grounded in proprietary findings from real-world data. Our experts have relevant first-hand industry experience, and future issues will include perspectives from retailers out in the field, as well.

A sneak peek at the first issue

The first issue of The Total is now live, packed with timely insights and trends shaping the retail landscape. Here’s a preview of what you’ll find in our inaugural edition:

• Why digital shelf labels could backfire: Consumers are so wary of surge pricing that their skepticism bleeds into unrelated initiatives. Walmart’s plan to exchange paper price tags for digital ones is to help with inventory management, but consumers are concerned about their wallets. Until the public discourse offers more clarity on dynamic pricing, retailers will have to pay close attention to the way they message digital innovation.

• Pivoting from hot-deal summer to “I-hope-they-forget-about-it” fall: Fast food’s value meal resurgence was in full swing this summer as restaurants tried to win more foot traffic. But that strategy is a gamble, because the discounts can’t last forever without damaging the business. How can restaurant operators boost foot traffic without impacting margins?

• Managing hurricane havoc: Fuel prices are expected to fall this time of year, but disruptions brought about by inclement weather have changed the story. Hurricanes reshape pricing dynamics and transaction patterns, altering profit margins and requiring operators to respond to sudden demand shifts. Above-average margins might help retailers recoup their losses after starting out the season with lower revenue than usual.

Subscribe here to receive your copy of The Total each month.