Retailers continue to face disruption from generative AI, emerging technologies, shifting economic and political conditions, and evolving consumer behaviours. This report explores the strategies retailers are using to remain competitive and foster customer loyalty in today’s uncertain and rapidly changing environment. It also includes case studies from leading global retailers, offering real-world examples of how they are adapting to change.
This report comes in PPT.
Social media has evolved into a powerful sales channel, influencing consumer behaviour and reshaping retail strategies. Retailers are increasingly integrating social commerce tools and partnering with influencers to drive engagement and sales. Being active on social platforms is now essential for reaching and converting today’s digital-first consumers.
In response to economic pressure and evolving consumer values, retailers are shifting from aggressive price cuts to value-based pricing strategies that emphasise quality, service, and experience. Rather than competing solely on price, leading brands are investing in customer-centric offerings to build loyalty and long-term profitability.
Experiential retail has been a major trend for several years, particularly in the post-COVID-19 landscape, and it remains highly influential. However, there is now a noticeable shift towards wellness-focused experiences. Retailers are increasingly adopting concepts that cater to consumers’ rising interest in health and wellbeing.
After the initial wave of hype, retailers are now taking a more strategic and cautious approach to generative AI, focusing on solutions that offer real value. While many are still navigating knowledge gaps, leading global retailers are moving ahead with targeted GenAI implementations to enhance personalisation, operational efficiency, and customer experience.
The reintroduction of US tariffs under President Trump has created widespread disruption in global retail, particularly for companies reliant on Chinese manufacturing. Retailers have responded by shifting sourcing, accelerating shipments, and adjusting pricing strategies to manage rising costs and supply chain challenges.
Retail is the sale of new and used goods to consumers from a business for personal or household consumption from retail outlets, kiosks, market stalls, vending, direct selling and e-commerce. Retail is the aggregation of Retail Offline and Retail E-Commerce. Excludes specialist retailers of motor vehicles, motorcycles, vehicle parts. Also excludes fuel sales, foodservice sales, rental transactions, and wholesale sales (e.g. Cash and Carry). Sales value excluding or including VAT/Sales Tax. Retail also excludes the informal retail sector. Informal retailing is retail trade which is not declared to the tax authorities. Informal retailing encompasses (a) sales generated by unregistered and unlicensed retailers, i.e. retailers operating illegally, and (b) any proportion of sales generated by a registered and licensed retailer that is not declared to the tax authorities. Unregistered and unlicensed retailers operate predominantly (although not exclusively) as street hawkers or operate open market stalls, as these channels are harder for the authorities to monitor than permanent outlets. Activities in the illegal market, which is usually understood to refer to trade in illegal, counterfeit or stolen merchandise, are included within our definition of informal retailing. Activities in the “grey market”, which is usually understood to refer to trade in legal merchandise that is sold through unauthorized channels – for example cigarettes bought legally in another country, legally imported, but sold at lower prices than in authorized channels – will be included as informal retailing if no tax is paid on sale by the retailer. However if the retailer pays tax – for example on cigarettes bought legally in another country but sold at a lower price than standard – the sale is included within formal retail.
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