2018 was a wild year for retail. Just a few years after the “Retail Apocalypse”, brick and mortar retail is experiencing a “Retail Renaissance” with more and more online brands opening popular physical storefronts. This complete 180 has turned much of the narrative around ecommerce replacing traditional retail on its head. Increasing competition from startups […]
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Ethical Purchases Drive Sales
by Jasmine Glasheen Next-generation consumers are taking over the world. Millennials will outnumber Boomers in 2019, but not for long: by 2020, there will be even more Gen Z customers than Millennials. Young consumers are growing both in buying power and in number, and they made a big impression on retailers’ bottom lines this past […]
Then & Now: A Look Back at our 2018 Retail Predictions
This time last year, we simply asked: “What’s next?” And many retail industry leaders provided detailed projections. We also dabbled in providing our own predictions on what would happen in retail throughout 2018. Some of our predictions were right on the money. Others… not so much. Let’s take a look at what we thought would […]
2019 Retail Predictions
Every year, Independent Retailer turns to the experts and asks “What’s Next?” Read on for industry expert takes on challenges retailers will face in 2019, where retailers should focus their energy, how to shake things up this year, and what to prioritize. What will be the biggest challenges retailers face in 2019? Are these […]
The Year Ahead: Top Products for 2019
New year, new merchandise! With any luck, all of your seasonal products and merchandise from 2018 will sell out by the end of the holiday season. A new year is a perfect time to expand your lines and test out new products. Here are some of our favorite picks for apparel, gifts, and home. Buttersoft […]
Year in Review: A Recap of Retail in 2018 from A – Z
2018 was an exciting year for retail. Evolving technology, changing consumer preferences, and political shakeups all had a large impact on our industry. Here is Independent Retailer’s roundup of top trends, influencers, buzzwords, and developments that affected retail in 2018. Many of these topics were explored in greater detail throughout the year – those articles […]
All the Fall Apparel Trends Fit to Print
The U.S. apparel market is valued at over $315 billion. As we approach the holiday season, apparel and accessory sales will continue to climb until they reach a December peak.
Buy-Buy Beauty
In today’s consumer climate, independent and startup businesses are dressed to kill. This is especially true for the over $445 billion beauty industry, which is expected to reach $750 billion by 2024.
International Home + Housewares Show
The International Housewares Association (IHA), celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, held its first Housewares Show in January 1939 in Chicago featuring 266 exhibitors.
6 Trends to Win Customers
A customer’s path to purchase often begins online but ends in-store. In fact, a Forbes Insight report found that 82% of shoppers conduct research online before completing a purchase in-store.
