643 results found

Livestreaming E-Commerce Takes Off in the US

China 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.

1Q20 US Earnings Season Wrap-Up: Reviewing the Covid-19 Impact

First-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.

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.

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.