Fighting the downfall of the department store
Under heavy competitive fire from online retailers, department stores must adapt to survive the battle and stand a chance of winning the retail war
Future of Retail 2018
The lives of consumers have changed irredeemably and it is time retailers followed suit. The Future of Retail special report, published in The Times, delves into what it takes for retailers to survive and thrive in the digital age. Social shopping is on the rise as Chinese instant messaging goliath WeChat presents a huge opportunity for retailers, while consumers are becoming increasingly mindful of the impact their purchasing habits have on the environment. Also featured is an infographic documenting smart shopping and automation in retail, as well as an article on the need for department stores to adapt or face possible extinction
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In this report
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Legacy retailers must diversify or die
The pace of change in retail has never been greater and retailers must go after their customers or end up on the scrap heap
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China: WeChat offers huge opportunity in social retail
The social shopping trend in China, facilitated by giant messaging platforms, looks set to conquer the world
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The mindful consumer: donât let our shopping cost the Earth
Consumers are becoming more mindful of the impact on the environment of their purchasing decisions
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âWe have the greatest opportunity to replace conventional, unsustainable systems with innovative and sustainable onesâ
Across fashionâs complex and global supply chains there is a depletion of resources, from the raw materials we use, to our manufacturing processes that are dependent on vast amounts of water and energy
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Challenging gender inequality in retail leadership
Women shop more than men, but they havenât yet smashed the glass ceiling when it comes to getting more top retail jobs
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Five brands pioneering the immersive retail experience
From retailers creating community-based hubs, focused on social currency and connectivity, to pure-play giants launching physical spaces for an immersive brand experience, retail stores are being reimagined
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Battle for the first bite of the customer
If 2017 taught us anything, itâs that retail is changing at an unprecedented rate, says Hugh Fletcher, global head of consultancy and innovation at Salmon
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The future consumer is here
Shopping habits are going through radical change
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Embracing the internet of things to achieve frictionless commerce
Connected products, enabled by intelligent labelling technologies that give items their own digital identities, are allowing retailers to deliver frictionless commerce experiences, providing customers with the convenience and transparency they desire
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Innovating for a better shopping experience
From virtual and augmented reality to artificial intelligence (AI) and voice-enabled personal assistants, retailers have trialled and tweaked to enhance and personalise the shopping experience
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Uniting brand and commerce online
Retail brands that fail to deliver a website that immerses visitors and integrates transactions in one unified experience are falling behind in the race for online growth
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Delivering customer-first service
Carriers must place the consumer at the heart of the delivery experience to thrive in 2018, says Martijn de Lange, chief executive of Hermes UK
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The Future CMO 2020
Our Future CMO special report, published in The Times, features articles on combating fake news, upcoming Christmas campaigns, celebrity founders and branding, and more. It features an infographic on the changing evolution of the advertising landscape from traditional to digital.
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Climate Change 2020
Our Climate Change special report, published in The Times, explores innovative ways to offset carbon emissions, staying profitable as a B corp, and the environmental cost of going digital. It also looks at which business leaders are lobbying for real action. The infographic examines how big your businessâs carbon footprint is and the impact of remote working.Â
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The Fashion Economy 2020
The Fashion Economy special report, published in The Times, examines recent shifts in buying behaviour, fighting fast fashion, virtual catwalks, and more. The featured infographic looks at changing fashion attitudes towards more sustainable apparel.
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Supply Chain Resilience 2020
Coronavirus has highlighted the fragility of global supply chains, so what needs to be a priority when rebuilding for future resilience? Our Supply Chain Resilience special report, published in The Times, examines the importance of last-mile delivery, the future warehouse, the obstacles of reshoring, and more! The featured infographic looks at how COVID-19 has impacted global supply chains, how theyâre faring now, and plans for the future.