Digital Commerce

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.

Insight Report | June 30, 2020 Premium

New Retail Briefing: E-Commerce Platforms Launch Key Strategies To Support Businesses in China and the US Post Pandemic

E-commerce platforms in China have been rolling out new strategies to support businesses in China and the US in the wake of the coronavirus crisis. We discuss these recent developments in New Retail, which include the extension of payment terms for US buyers by Alibaba.com and JD.com’s plans to upgrade its logistics network to better serve lower-tier markets in China.

Insight Report | June 29, 2020 Premium

VF Corporation: A Timeline of Key Events

This report explores the recent history of VF Corporation, one of the world’s largest apparel, footwear and accessories companies. We look at key events over the last three years, during which time the company has undergone restructuring but remained committed to its sustainability and responsibility strategy. We also provide a timeline of VF Corporation’s product offering changes, executive changes and expansion over the past decade.

Insight Report | June 23, 2020 Premium

China Sees a Significant Sales Rebound during the 6.18 Midyear Shopping Festival

The 6.18 Shopping Festival represented a significant sales rebound in China following the coronavirus crisis. We explore the success of e-commerce platforms during this year’s event and the underlying consumer trends that drove sales.

Deep Dive | June 23, 2020 Free Report

Cross-Border E-Commerce: A Buyer’s Guide

In this report, we examine how retailers and brands can effectively sell across borders in ways that provide a consistent brand experience and drive shopper loyalty. The coronavirus crisis has prompted cross-border shopping to spike, and it looks likely to fuel demand over the coming period. In a post-crisis landscape, retailers and brands must look for growth opportunities wherever they lie.

Insight Report | June 18, 2020 Premium

Aldi’s One-Year Anniversary in China: Key Learnings for International Grocers

With discount supermarket Aldi celebrating its one-year anniversary in China, we discuss the retailer’s success in the market and the learnings it could offer to other foreign grocers.
We explore the five key components of Aldi’s strategy in the China market—including the retailer’s adoption of technology in a new retail model, its focus on fresh food, the implementation of cost-saving strategies and the role of online stores in offering imported goods to consumers.

Event Coverage | June 17, 2020

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Open for Business with David Hardiman-Evans, Ocado Solutions: The Impact of Covid-19 on Traditional and Online Grocery

As part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted David Hardiman-Evans, SVP, North America at Ocado Solutions. We present the transcript from this webinar, in which Hardiman-Evans offered insights into the dynamic changes in the online grocery sector amid the coronavirus crisis—covering key topics such as consumer demand and loyalty, assortment rationalization and fulfillment models.

Insight Report | June 12, 2020 Premium

Five Months to Singles’ Day: A Tactical Guide for How To Prepare for the Shopping Festival This Year

With five months to go until Singles’ Day 2020, we provide a six-step reference guide for brands and retailers to use in preparing for the shopping festival against the backdrop of the coronavirus crisis.

Flash Report | June 11, 2020

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Ulta Beauty Management Discusses Its Covid-19 Experience and Expectations for the Post-Crisis Reality

Ulta Beauty management attended two events this week, in which they discussed the company’s experiences during the coronavirus pandemic and expectations going forward. We summarize the key insights—including store reopenings, the acceleration of virtual try-on technology, beauty trends and growth categories.

Market Navigators/Market Outlook | June 11, 2020 Premium

US Home and Home-Improvement Retail: Post-Crisis Outlook

We explore the impacts of the coronavirus crisis on the home and home-improvement sector—including on sales, spending, store closures and retailer bankruptcies—and present an outlook for the remainder of 2020. To analyze the sector, we look closely at select US retailers, including Home Depot, RH and Willams-Sonoma. We summarize our key estimates for 2020 in an infographic

Insight Report | June 10, 2020 Premium

US Father’s Day Retail Preview 2020: Uncertain Outlook as Demand Will Be Tested in First Post-Lockdown Shopping Holiday

With Father’s Day just around the corner, we estimate total US consumer spending on the occasion this year, in the context of easing coronavirus lockdowns. We propose actions that retailers could take to engage with shoppers and drive sales for Father’s Day.

Event Coverage | June 10, 2020

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Open for Business with Alex Gourlay, Co-COO of Walgreens Boots Alliance: Adapting to Coronavirus-Led Consumer Shifts in the Food, Drug and Mass Sector

As part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted Alex Gourlay, Co-COO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. We present the transcript from this webinar, in which Gourlay offered insights into how his company responded quickly to the coronavirus crisis and leveraged digital opportunities to connect with consumers.

Deep Dive | June 10, 2020 Premium

New Retail Models in the Global Apparel and Footwear 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 apparel and footwear market, including ASOS and Macy’s. We discuss how brands are leveraging technologies to upgrade the shopping experience, providing extended options as part of the sharing economy and utilizing consumer data.

Event Coverage | June 4, 2020

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Open for Business with Katie Finnegan, E-Commerce Expert: Innovating Toward Community in Brick-and-Mortar Retail

As part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted Katie Finnegan, Chief Consumer Experience and E-Commerce Officer at Rite Aid. We present the transcript from this webinar, in which Finnegan offered insights into the future of brick-and-mortar retail, which is evolving to become more about community.

Insight Report | May 28, 2020 Premium

Beauty Insights: The Future of Home Hair Color as Salons Reopen

Salons are reopening across the US as coronavirus lockdowns are lifted. We assess the impacts of the Covid-19 lockdown and recovery on the home hair color product category and explore the possible future reality of the hair color sector over the next year.

Deep Dive | May 28, 2020 Premium

Social Commerce Platforms: Diverse Opportunities for Brands and Retailers

We present the social commerce landscapes in China and the US, discussing major platforms across areas such as social media, livestreaming, group buying and e-commerce. This report highlights the broader scope of the Chinese market and the learnings that Western companies could take from China’s alternative social commerce models, as well as the opportunities for brands and retailers in the sector.