Apparel and Footwear

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.

Deep Dive | July 1, 2020 Premium

Five Trends Shaping Apparel Sourcing

The apparel sourcing industry is experiencing uncertainty due to unpredictable changes to tariffs and trade, the widespread coronavirus pandemic and fast-moving upgrades of technology in the supply chain. We outline five key apparel-sourcing trends and discuss how apparel retailers and brands can adapt to consumer expectations while controlling sourcing costs.

Insight Report | July 1, 2020 Premium

Reshaping Supply Chains for the 2020s: #2—Demand Forecasting

In our Reshaping Supply Chains for the 2020s series, we analyze the technologies and trends that are enabling the evolution of the supply chain. In this report, we discuss the importance of demand forecasting in retail and the evolution of technology solutions to address pain points in the process.

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.

Store Tracker | June 26, 2020 Databank Members

Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2020, Week 26: GNC Files for Bankruptcy

Our Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies. This week, there are highlights from Francesca’s, GNC and JCPenney in the US, and Hotter, Lee Longlands and Monsoon Accessorize in the UK.

Insight Report | June 25, 2020 Premium

May 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Analyzing consumer demand in May 2020, we saw a partial rebound in the US and the UK after the severe impacts of the Covid-19 crisis in April, while China continued to see improvements.

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.

Store Tracker | June 19, 2020 Databank Members

Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2020, Week 25: The Children’s Place To Close Hundreds of Stores

Our Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies. This week, there are highlights from Chico’s, Guess and The Children’s Place in the US, and Poundstretcher and Travis Perkins in the UK.

Insight Report | June 18, 2020 Premium

The End of “Made in China”? A Potential Wave of Moving Sourcing out of China amid Rising Tensions

The Covid-19 crisis may have triggered a new wave of multinational companies moving production out of China, only a short time after the first wave in 2019 due to US-China trade war. We discuss recent moves by companies such as Apple to shift their sourcing to other countries in the context of political tension and negative consumer sentiment.

Insight Report | June 17, 2020 Premium

May 2020 US Retail Sales: Total Year-over-Year Growth Turns Positive; Declines at Discretionary Sectors Ease While Food Stores and Nonstore Retailers See Strong Growth

Most sectors witnessed the easing of sales declines in May, as US consumers resumed spending following the reopening of stores post lockdown. Growth in total US retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles turned positive on a year-over-year basis, driven by double-digit growth at food stores, home-improvement retailers and nonstore retailers.

Deep Dive | June 16, 2020 Premium

US Apparel Retail: Post-Crisis Outlook

We explore the impacts of the coronavirus crisis on the apparel retail sector and present an outlook for the remainder of 2020 based on a three-phase V-shaped recovery. To analyze the sector, we look closely at select US retailers, including American Eagle Outfitters, Gap Inc. and Hanesbrands. We summarize our key estimates for 2020 in an infographic.

Insight Report | June 15, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 1Q20, Week 4 and Wrap-Up: Retailers Cite Pent-Up Demand as They Report Higher-than-Anticipated Sales Productivity Rates

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report first-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended June 14, including Five Below, Macy’s and PVH Corp. This is the fourth and final report in the first-quarter Earnings Insights series. As such, we also summarize the performance of retailers reported in the prior weeks.

Store Tracker | June 12, 2020 Databank Members

Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2020, Week 24: Signet Jewelers To Close Many Stores

Our Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies. This week, there are highlights from RH, RTW Retailwinds and Signet Jewelers in the US, and Debenhams and Monsoon Accessorize in the UK.

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.

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.

Store Tracker | June 9, 2020 Databank Members

US Store Closures 2020 Outlook: Covid-19 Update—Prolonged Impact Set To Drive Up Closures

This report assesses the outlook for physical retail over the remainder of 2020—updating our previous expectations in light of the escalating impact of the coronavirus crisis. We compare year-to-date store closure data with 2019 and discuss a potential rise in bankruptcies, which may become a reality for many struggling retailers. We also update our prediction for the total number of closures we expect to see in the US in the full-year 2020.