Alternative Retail

Access 7,000+ research reports and presentations on the retail and technology ecosystem, covering consumers, companies, economies, and retail and technology trends. Filter by product, sector, themes, regions, companies, or other parameters below. Alternatively, use the search box above to find relevant research content.

Deep Dive | May 19, 2020 Premium

Retail Innovators: Beauty Brands and Retailers

The Coresight Research Retail Innovators series examines how key players and startups are disrupting different retail sectors. In this report, we focus on five innovators in the beauty market: Beautycounter, Glossier, Madison Reed, Nykaa and Perfect Diary. We discuss these industry players in the context of changing consumer demand in the beauty sector, including the influence of social commerce and a heightened emphasis on clean beauty and sustainability.

Insight Report | May 14, 2020 Premium

Coronavirus Insights: Three Post-Lockdown Consumer Trends in China

Coronavirus-related lockdowns have impacted consumption behavior around the world. As China emerges from the crisis, we identify three areas of altered consumer behavior that we expect to impact future spending patterns—including omnichannel experiences and group buying.

Event Coverage | May 14, 2020

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Coresight Conversations: Retail Legend and Turnaround Specialist Michael Appel Discusses How Liquidity Preservation Is Key to a Business Turnaround

As part of our Coresight Conversations: Legends in Retail webinar series, we hosted retail legend and business turnaround specialist Michael Appel. We present the transcript from this webinar, in which Appel shared his five-pronged strategy for how retailers can survive the current coronavirus crisis and look ahead to the future—with emphasis on the key pillars of technology and liquidity.

Deep Dive | May 7, 2020 Premium

The China Beauty Consumer, Pre- and Post Coronavirus

Although impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, initial indicators show that China’s economy is rebounding, and the beauty industry is poised for a speedy recovery. We discuss findings from our proprietary survey of beauty consumers in China—as well as recent data about the market—to examine the preferences and spending behaviors of this demographic prior to the coronavirus pandemic and learnings coming out of the crisis.

Insight Report | May 5, 2020 Premium

Experiential Retail: VR Technology Drives Consumer Engagement and 70% Higher Conversion Rates

Due to the widespread store shutdowns amid the coronavirus pandemic, consumers are shopping online for nearly all of their discretionary needs. We explore how brands and retailers can leverage virtual reality technologies to enhance their e-commerce offerings and engage with shoppers through experiential retail—while realizing benefits such as higher purchase conversion rates and wider reach to consumers.

Insight Report | April 30, 2020 Premium

Brand Mashups: Limited-Edition Products a Lever To Support Consumer Demand in Tough Times

Brand mashups effectively leverage the unique strengths of each brand to drive shopper excitement. We present examples of recent mashups—some of which are unlikely partnerships—that are generating consumer interest during the coronavirus crisis.

Market Outlook | April 29, 2020 Premium

Market Overview: E-Commerce Platforms–Mixed Impact from Coronavirus, but Innovation Continues To Support Gains

In this Market Overview, we explore the current retail e-commerce market and its future outlook, with a focus on China and the US. We consider the competitive landscape and the impact of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This report also discusses a number of key themes in the market, including new physical store formats, social commerce and private labels.

Insight Report | April 23, 2020 Premium

Beauty Insights: Livestreaming Increases Revenue and Loyalty—Lessons Learned during the Coronavirus

With many brands and retailers facing heavy revenue losses due to widespread temporary closures caused by the coronavirus, we explore how beauty brands are leveraging digital channels to engage with consumers. We consider the lessons that can be learned from beauty retail in China, with a focus on livestreaming.

Deep Dive | April 7, 2020 Premium

New Retail Models in the Global Beauty Market

As part of our series exploring new models of retailing across different sectors and channels, we focus on the innovative strategies being implemented by brands and retailers in the global beauty market, including Sephora and Ulta Beauty. We discuss how brands are leveraging technologies to improve the shopping experience, implementing save-a-sale programs and embracing cross-channel retail to drive shopper engagement.

Insight Report | April 2, 2020 Premium

Coronavirus Insights: China Embraces Signs of Recovery

Since the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan in January, China has implemented unprecedented measures to control the spread of the virus. The nationwide lockdown looks to have been a success—we discuss signs that indicate the country is now on the road to recovery. We consider the implications for brands, as well as what the “new normal” might look like for China’s residents and businesses as the nation looks to move on from the coronavirus.

Deep Dive | March 9, 2020 Premium

Retail Innovators: Home-Furnishing Retailers

The Coresight Research Retail Innovators series examines how key players and startups are disrupting different retail sectors. In this report, we focus on three innovators in the home-furnishing market: DTC brand Burrow, furniture rental startup Fernish and design platform Modsy. We discuss these relatively new industry players in the context of changing consumer preferences in the furniture sector, including increasing demand for convenience and a heightened emphasis on sustainability.

Market Outlook | March 5, 2020 Premium

Market Overview: Apparel—Changing Consumer Attitudes Drive E-Commerce and Socially Engaged Business

Our Market Overview for apparel offers a data-rich analysis of the global clothing market, with more detailed metrics for the US, the UK and China. In addition, our analysts offer their perspectives on the fashion market in 2020 and further ahead.

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 | February 27, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Four Positive Takeaways from the Outbreak for Retailers in China

As the coronavirus outbreak continues, we consider the positive takeaways for retailers in China. We discuss the effects of the current consumer preference for e-commerce over brick-and-mortar shopping, in both grocery and nonsectors sectors; the marketing opportunities provided by Chinese super app WeChat; and the increasing consumer focus on health and wellness.

Insight Report | February 25, 2020 Premium

New Retail Briefing: Amid Coronavirus Disruption, JD.com Turns to Drones and Robots for Delivery

JD.com uses drones to deliver orders during the coronavirus outbreak; Alibaba helps farmers to sell fresh produce; and Kenzo opens a flagship store on Tmall Luxury Pavilion.