Retail is in the midst of a radical transformation.<\/p>\n
Rapidly shifting consumer habits, fast-changing technologies and challenging competitive dynamics are all occurring against an overall positive economic backdrop.<\/p>\n
- \n
- As we look back on a strong 2018, we consider the retail trends that will most shape the year ahead:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How much will US consumers spend on retail and ecommerce next year?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
We forecast that 2019 will mark another strong year for the sector, with total retail sales expected to grow 3.3% to $5.529 trillion and ecommerce sales expected to grow 15.1% to $605.3 billion. However, emerging economic risk factors dampen the outlook from what could otherwise be expected given the strong US labor market and rising incomes.<\/p>\n
Which retailers will succeed and which will struggle?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
The retail apocalypse will continue to threaten brick-and-mortar resulting in more store closures from traditional retailers, but it will be offset by the expanding retail footprint of direct-to-consumer brands and other niche retailers better positioned to thrive in this environment.<\/p>\n
Which retail innovations will reshape physical retail?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Brick-and-mortar is in the midst of a radical transformation as it transitions from an inventory-led environment to a more frictionless, experiential environment. Emerging trends like cashierless checkout, pop-up stores and data-driven merchandising are causing retailers to reimagine the retail experience for modern consumers.<\/p>\n
Which emerging retail technologies will gain traction with consumers?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n
Voice commerce, social commerce and augmented reality are among several up-and-coming technologies that will gain traction with consumers in 2019, but only in select use cases and category contexts.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.ceo-na.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Captura-de-pantalla-2018-12-06-a-las-12.16.21.png\")