Research

Access research reports and presentations on the retail and technology ecosystem, including consumers, companies, economies, and retail and technology trends. Use the filters below to find research reports and presentations by sector, theme, company or other parameters. Alternatively, use the search box above to find relevant research content.

Event Coverage | April 22, 2020

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Open for Business with Jeff Brown, Supply Chain Expert: Solutions for a Crisis and Beyond

As part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted supply chain expert Jeff Brown. We present the transcript from this webinar, in which Brown offered insights into the supply chain challenges and the shape of demand during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Market Navigators/Market Outlook | April 16, 2020 Premium

Market Overview: Luxury—Taking a Back Seat to the Global Pandemic

In this market overview, we explore the personal luxury goods market landscape and consider the top 20 companies and top 15 brands in the global market by revenue. We discuss the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic on both supply and demand in the luxury industry, as well as considering the importance of China’s luxury shoppers in today’s environment.

Flash Report | April 8, 2020

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Gap Cancels Shipments of Summer Orders and Stops Fall Production due to the Coronavirus Pandemic: Retailers Prepare for the Long Haul

Following the temporary closure of all of its stores from March 19, Gap Inc. is reportedly going to cancel shipments of summer order and halt fall production due to the impacts of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. We outline the measures that the company is said to be taking and consider the wider disruption of the outbreak on retail supply chains.

Deep Dive | March 23, 2020 Premium

4Q19 US Earnings Season Wrap-Up

Fourth-quarter 2019 retail earnings show that many companies across the retail industry saw strong growth. However, our coverage of the Coresight 100 reveals that the CPG and department-store sectors bucked this trend, with the latter continuing to struggle. Companies across the board have updated their guidance due to coronavirus disruption in the supply chain and demand in Asia, but we are yet to see updates based on the spread of the virus to the US, with the nation moving closer to lockdown.

Insight Report | March 18, 2020 Premium

Coronavirus Insights: India Suspends Visas as Supply Chains Are Disrupted and Consumers Face Lockdowns

India reported its first COVID-19 case on January 30. Although it appears to be spreading more slowly than in other countries, concerns have prompted a suspension of visitors, lockdowns and product shortages.

Flash Report | March 18, 2020

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Amazon Suspends Inbound Shipments of Non-Essential Products from Marketplace Sellers

As the coronavirus outbreak spreads in the US, online has surged as shoppers shun stores and crowded locations. Faced with unprecedented demand, Amazon suspends support for third-party sellers for all but essential items.

Flash Report | March 17, 2020

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Amazon Plans To Add 100,000 Workers, Bucking the COVID-19 Employment Trend

As coronavirus angst drives people to hoard toilet paper and shun crowded places (including most retail locations), many in retail may worry about their prospects. But Amazon plans to hire 100,000 people—and give them a raise.

Flash Report | March 10, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: China’s PMI Slumps as Disruption Continues in Supply Chain; International Demand Could Be the Next Challenge

The effects of the coronavirus outbreak on retail are being felt across the globe. With supply-chain disruption continuing, China’s PMI has slumped, with factory activity falling to an all-time low in February 2020. We consider the impact of the virus to China’s exports market going into the second quarter of the year.

Event Coverage | March 6, 2020

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Highlights from the AAFA Executive Summit 2020: Environmental Stewardship and Digital Transformation

Executives from apparel, footwear and fashion accessory brands and retailers such as Target came together for two days of discussion, seeking to tackle the issues facing their businesses. We present key insights from the AAFA Executive Summit, which emphasized environmental stewardship and sustainability, as well as the advantages for retailers of undergoing a digital transformation.

Event Coverage | March 5, 2020

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Highlights from Target’s 2020 Financial Community Meeting

At Target’s investment community meeting, the company outlined the progress it has made in deploying digital solutions to solve common store problems, to grow its online business and get more value from the Shipt acquisition. The company also outlined plans for the store of the future.

Flash Report | March 4, 2020

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Walmart To Launch Loyalty Program Called Walmart+

Walmart looks to be muscling in on Amazon’s turf with the launch of a new loyalty program called Walmart+, which the company will launch in March. Just how similar is Walmart+ likely to be to Amazon Prime?

Flash Report | March 3, 2020

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Walmart Launches Third-Party Vendor Fulfillment Services on Its Marketplace

On February 24, 2020, Walmart launched fulfillment services for third-party vendors on its marketplace, offering services similar to Amazon.

Event Coverage | February 24, 2020

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Highlights from the Hype Innovation Showcase: Sustainability and Technology Key to the Future of Physical Retail

Key themes from the Hype Innovation Showcase, The Future of the Store: Sustainability & Supply Chain, included sustainability and technology. We discuss insights from the event and provide an overview of participating startup companies.

Flash Report | February 19, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Outbreak Disrupts Global Supply Chain, Particularly in Fashion

Factories in China have been operating at partial capacity due to the coronavirus outbreak, impacting on supply chains globally. With the duration of the outbreak still uncertain, we consider the potential short-and long-term effects of labor shortages and transportation restrictions on the apparel and smartphone market segments in particular.

Insight Report | February 3, 2020 Premium

The Home Depot: A Timeline of Key Events

Read about the key dates and milestones in Home Depot’s rise to becoming a US home-improvement icon. From its humble beginnings as a more or less giant hardware store when it was founded in 1978, Home Depot has grown into a home improvement staple with more than 2,200 stores.