TOP 10 Retail Trends Post Pandemic

TOP 10 Retail Trends Post Pandemic

Further to my recent book RETAIL Before, During & After COVID-19, I have summarized what I think will be the top 10 retail trends as we exit the pandemic. Many of these trends where in play before COVID-19 existed and have accelerated as a direct result of the virus. Others are new. Either way I see these shaping the industry significantly over the next decade or so. While many appear obvious don't underestimate the magnitude of their potential impact on retail in the near future.

TOP 10 Retail Trends Post Pandemic

  1. E-COMMERCE ASCENSION – e-commerce becomes a significant sales channel rivaling bricks and mortar from an importance perspective over time. Large infrastructure build. Retailers learn to make money online. Integrated with remaining bricks and mortar assets. Exponential growth in complexity of retail supply chains.
  2.  INDUSTRY CONCENTRATION – the strong will get stronger and the weak will be bought up or dissolved. M & A and Private Equity deals will fuel transition. Tech giants dominate space. Most department stores shrink to niche position. New retailers emerge that cater to new normal with low asset base and unique business models.
  3.  STORE SUBTRACTION – the number of stores will be reduced and some of those remaining will become mini-warehouses and hubs for pick up and last-mile delivery. Store staff become gig workers who deliver packages and food.
  4.  PHOENIX MALLS – Tier 3 malls will transform to a mixed use of residential and commercial accommodations or just residential. Tier 2 malls focus on grocery, services and pick up and returns for online purchases. Tier 1 Malls continue to thrive with global brands catering to premium customers with vivid tech enabled experiences.
  5.  SAFE RETAIL – stores will be clean and many touchless similar to Amazon Go. Less lines – retail by appointment and staggered shopping times - enabled by apps like those at theme parks. Decade long fear of the next pandemic drives consumer behaviour.
  6.  LUX or LOW-PRICED - Luxury or Discount ONLY - Mirrors society - gap widens. Income and wealth chasm not seen in 100 years. Middle retail vanishes over time. Ultra luxury market thrives as does value or discount. Polarization.
  7.  BRAND WARS – last line of defense from big online consolidators and remaining discounters. Retailers: Owned brands/private label almost exclusively. Suppliers: More direct to consumer (DTC) through online and select stores.
  8.  SHOPPER STINGYHOOD – Mass consumer change - save more, spend less, thrift devotion – growth of used products - apps/stores/green tie in. Thrifty is the new black. Excludes premium segment which becomes even more extravagant and indulgent.
  9.  MICRO RETAILING - Everyone's a merchant – use Amazon, Shopify, Kijiji, Etsy, etc. New, small scale variable cost business models - labour, value chain, partnerships. Side hustles to make ends meet as governments raise taxes and cut services while gig economy grows.
  10.  CASTLE COMMODITIES – Growth of household products as work from home sticks for many. Comfort, electronics, entertainment, food preparation, fitness, hobbies and pet products.

If you would like to learn more about these trends and how they could impact your business, please reach out. 416-705-5627 or [email protected].

 Bruce Winder – Retail Analyst & Author, President Bruce Winder Retail

Bruce Winder Retail Website

Bruce Winder is a Toronto-based retail analyst, speaker, consultant, business instructor and author. His 30 years of retail and supplier experience make him one of Canada’s most sought-after pundits.

Bruce has appeared dozens of times on numerous Canadian TV programs including Business News Network (BNN)/Bloomberg, CBC The National, CTV National News, CTV News Channel, CP24, Global News and CityNews, offering insight on retail matters. Bruce has been quoted hundreds of times in leading business publications including Bloomberg, The Washington Post, BBC News, The UK Guardian, Reuters, Adweek, The Globe and Mail, The Financial Post, The Toronto Star, The Calgary Herald, The Canadian Press, Maclean’s and many more.

Bruce published his first book RETAIL, Before During & After COVID-19 in 2020 with significant media coverage, offering thought leadership within the industry. 5% of Bruce's proceeds from the book go to mental health causes in Canada and the US. Buy Bruce's Book Here.

He is the president at Bruce Winder Retail and holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen’s University. He teaches a variety of business courses at a Toronto College. 

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Bruce Winder的更多文章

  • GST Savings Impact to Retail

    GST Savings Impact to Retail

    Today the Federal Liberal government announced that they are temporarily eliminating the GST on select categories of…

    4 条评论
  • Big Brown Provided

    Big Brown Provided

    This week I posted about the sale of Canadian Tire’s warehouse in Brampton. The response was surprising.

    13 条评论
  • "Rexile on Main Street"

    "Rexile on Main Street"

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the legendary Rolling Stones album Exile on Main Street. An eclectic collection…

    35 条评论
  • Desperately Seeking Prime Day

    Desperately Seeking Prime Day

    In the 1985 movie Desperately Seeking Susan a bored Roberta (played by Rosanna Arquette) leaves her dull life in search…

  • Used Products: Cheapish and Cheerful

    Used Products: Cheapish and Cheerful

    Hello, I have noticed a fair amount of activity lately as it relates to retailers selling used products or allowing…

  • Retail's Journey Through the Abyss: COVID-19

    Retail's Journey Through the Abyss: COVID-19

    The retail industry is on a perilous journey. To a place it has not been before.

    11 条评论
  • Don't Miss This Years Easter Gig Hunt

    Don't Miss This Years Easter Gig Hunt

    The world of retail is in significant flux. Online shopping continues to grow.

  • Improve Your Luck & Showcase Your Charms

    Improve Your Luck & Showcase Your Charms

    The world of retail is in significant flux. Online shopping continues to grow.

  • Retail Talent Hook Ups “RAN Style”

    Retail Talent Hook Ups “RAN Style”

    The world of retail is in significant flux. Online shopping continues to grow.

  • Amazon 4-Star Store - Herd Mentality or Shopping Made Easy?

    Amazon 4-Star Store - Herd Mentality or Shopping Made Easy?

    I was in New York over the holidays and visited the Amazon 4-Star store in SoHo. Overall, the store was functional but…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了