Insight Report | July 22, 2020 Premium Livestreaming E-Commerce Takes Off in the USChina has a relatively mature livestreaming e-commerce market, but we are now also seeing momentum in the US as brands and retailers further explore the use of social media platforms to engage with consumers and boost sales. We discuss selected retailers’ and social media platforms’ moves into livestreaming e-commerce in the US and consider the impact of in-video checkout functionality and social media influencers on consumer shopping behavior. Read More
Insight Report | July 22, 2020 Premium Contactless Technologies in Grocery Retail and Food Service: Touch-Free Shopping in a Post-Crisis WorldWe discuss recent developments in the adoption of contactless technologies in grocery retail and by food-service businesses, as they adapt to demand for touch-free shopping in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. This report includes highlights from Amazon, Coca-Cola and Walmart. Read More
Insight Report | July 21, 2020 Premium Retail Reimagined: Using Gamification To Attract ShoppersAs part of our Retail Reimagined series, which explores the outlook for retail in a post-crisis world, we discuss the rise of gamification and recent examples of this trend. We consider the implications for brands, retailers and technology vendors. Read More
Insight Report | July 17, 2020 Premium June 2020 US Retail Sales: Total Sales Jump 9%; Declines Ease in Apparel while Several Nonfood Sectors SurgeDiscretionary sectors witnessed the easing of sales declines in June, suggesting pent-up demand in nonfood categories post lockdowns. On a year-over-year basis, total US retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles saw extraordinary growth in the context of a post-crisis environment. Read More
Event Coverage | July 17, 2020 Register for Free Access Open for Business with Chris Baldwin, BJ’s Wholesale Club: Empathy and Personalization in Club-Store RetailAs part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted Chris Baldwin, Chairman of BJ’s Wholesale Club. We present an edited transcript from this webinar, in which Baldwin offered insights into changing consumer demand amid the coronavirus crisis—covering key topics such as personalization and assortment localization. Read More
Insight Report | July 16, 2020 Premium Amazon Prime Day 2020: Expected October Timing To Draw Forward Holiday SpendingAmazon is seemingly postponing its Prime Day shopping holiday this year, from July to the fall. We present our expectations for the 2020 event, based on proprietary survey data. We also discuss its key tailwinds, considering the impact on the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons. Read More
Insight Report | July 14, 2020 Premium Insights from China: China’s Booming Pet EconomyThe rising popularity of raising pets in China is fueling the growth of the Chinese pet economy and increasing demand for premium and smart pet-care products. We look at key drivers in China’s rapidly growing pet products and services market, the e-commerce habits of pet owners and the trends in product demand. Read More
Event Coverage | July 13, 2020 Register for Free Access Open for Business with Bjoern Peterson, Sensormatic Solutions: The Physical Store and Inventory Accuracy Post CrisisAs part of our Open for Business webinar series, we hosted Bjoern Petersen, President of Sensormatic Solutions. We present an edited transcript from this webinar, in which Petersen offered insights into how retailers can work toward gaining inventory accuracy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis—covering key topics such as consumer demand, e-commerce and fulfillment. Read More
Insight Report | July 10, 2020 Premium Four Months to Singles’ Day: How To Drive Brand Awareness and Store TrafficWith four months to go until Singles’ Day 2020, we provide key strategies for how brands and retailers can increase their presence and exposure on Alibaba’s Tmall platform in the lead-up to the shopping festival. Read More
Store Tracker | July 10, 2020 Premium Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2020, Week 28: Brooks Brothers, G-Star Raw, Lucky Brand and Sur La Table File for BankruptcyOur Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies. This week, there are highlights from Amazon, Brooks Brothers and G-Star Raw in the US, and John Lewis, Little Mistress and Soletrader in the UK. Read More
Insight Report | July 9, 2020 Premium Retail M&A Deals Unravel in the Wake of the Coronavirus CrisisWe are seeing a slew of companies reassess M&A deals in the context of Covid-19 impacts on sellers’ revenues, cash flow and liquidity. We explore the recent breakdown of such deals across a number of retail sectors—including retail real estate, luxury, apparel and grocery. Read More
Deep Dive | July 8, 2020 Premium 1Q20 US Earnings Season Wrap-Up: Reviewing the Covid-19 ImpactFirst-quarter 2020 retail earnings include the negative impact on sales caused by the coronavirus outbreak. We assess the recent performance of US retailers in terms of revenues, earnings per share and comps, considering consensus estimates and year-over-year changes. With retail sectors weathering the Covid-19 crisis in different ways, sales declines are now easing due to stores reopening post lockdown, but the pace of recovery will vary. Read More
Event Coverage | July 7, 2020 Register for Free Access Fashinnovation’s Worldwide Talks 2020—Second Edition: Sustainability, Innovation and InclusivityIndustry leaders in the fashion industry came together for two days of discussion amid the coronavirus pandemic. We present key insights from the second edition of Fashinnovation’s Worldwide Talks 2020, a digital event that highlighted the major themes of sustainability and innovation in the fashion industry. Read More
Insight Report | June 30, 2020 Premium New Retail Briefing: E-Commerce Platforms Launch Key Strategies To Support Businesses in China and the US Post PandemicE-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. Read More
Insight Report | June 23, 2020 Premium China Sees a Significant Sales Rebound during the 6.18 Midyear Shopping FestivalThe 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. Read More