9 retail trends to watch in 2021

The pandemic will continue to reshape the industry and accelerate trends from consumer preferences to industry norms and structures in the year ahead. 

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Cara Salpini , Kaarin Moore , Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Jan. 12, 2021

A timeline of how the pandemic hit retail

Over the past year, Retail Dive tracked store closures and openings, as well as furloughs, layoffs, hirings and bankruptcies. Here's the story of 2020 in numbers.

By Cara Salpini • Jan. 11, 2021

Retail Therapy: 6 retail moments we're happy to have left in 2020

While the pandemic disrupted nearly every aspect of our lives, there was one thing we all could count on: brands cashing in on absurdity.

By Caroline Jansen • Jan. 8, 2021

NYC saw most chain store closures in over a decade in 2020: report

The record-level decline last year reveals the string of challenges facing businesses during the pandemic.

By Maria Monteros • Jan. 6, 2021

Family Video to close all stores as last-ditch effort comes up short

The last major video rental chain is throwing in the towel as the pandemic and disruption to Hollywood take their toll. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 6, 2021

Consumers spent over $100B on mobile apps in 2020: report

As shopping shifted from in-store to online, mobile purchases reached record-breaking heights. 

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 5, 2021

3 tips to win over millennials and Gen Z at checkout

To keep up with young shoppers, retailers need to provide experiences that offer both instant gratification and the flexibility to enable a frictionless shopping experience. 

Jan. 4, 2021

Holidays in review: What defined the season in 2020

From virtual services and contactless pickup to a Black Friday unlike any other, retailers were forced to adapt.

By Daphne Howland , Ben Unglesbee , Caroline Jansen , Kaarin Moore • Dec. 31, 2020

Retail Therapy: Party City says 'FU' to 2020

As the year that was defined by disruption and uncertainty comes to a close, the retailer is gearing up for the celebration of a lifetime.

By Caroline Jansen , Maria Monteros • Dec. 18, 2020

46% of shoppers more likely to shop small this year: survey

Research from Comcast Business suggests features like BOPIS and curbside pickup could lure consumers to small businesses.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 18, 2020

With an end to pandemic struggles in sight, beauty looks toward a prettier future

Unlike apparel, which will face a longer recovery, beauty could be back to 2019 levels by the first half of 2021, according to McKinsey.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 17, 2020

An existential moment for the last video store chain

Family Video permanently shuttered half its footprint this year amid fallout from COVID-19. Now it's "all hands on deck" for the tenacious retailer.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 16, 2020

What's selling in 2020's holiday season

This year, consumers sought out comfort over experiences.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 14, 2020

The future of shopping: 3 trends to watch

Evolving changes will affect shoppers' relationships with brands and retailers, and understanding them is key to developing successful strategies in the years to come.

Dec. 14, 2020

Retail leaders roar ahead: here's how they can capitalize on consumers' new shopping behaviors

Against long odds, category-leading retailers got it done during the pandemic. Next up is readying for the post-vaccine era.

By Anup Prasad, Market Leader and SBU Head in the Retail and Consumer Goods practice at Cognizant • Dec. 14, 2020

Retail Therapy: Ikea flatpacks its way into the holidays

The Swedish furniture retailer created a kit to transform some of its most famous furniture pieces into easily assembled sweet treats.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 11, 2020

'Trouble brewing' for malls, including Brookfield and Simon: S&P Global

The pandemic has worsened the situation for mall owners and given retail tenants leverage, and so-called "A" centers haven't been spared.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 11, 2020

GameStop posts 30% sales drop but sees growth ahead

The pandemic, limited availability of new consoles and a reduced store count hurt the gaming retailer's third quarter sales, but November brought a spike. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 9, 2020

Consumers are spending less this holiday season: survey

But, they are shopping online due to convenience, deals and free shipping — a trend that may stick around even after the pandemic.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 9, 2020

Moody's sees 2021 apparel comeback, but risks remain high

Post-pandemic, consumers will likely continue to gravitate toward casual styles. But economic uncertainty will also drag on, the firm said.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 7, 2020

Retail Therapy: Lady Gaga and Mariah Carey lean into their sweet sides

With the holiday season well underway and consumers reaching for more treats, the celebrities each launched cookie products.

By Caroline Jansen • Dec. 4, 2020

L Brands files to spin off Victoria's Secret

The new business, Victoria's Secret & Co, will include Victoria's Secret Lingerie, Pink and Victoria's Secret Beauty.

By Daphne Howland , Kaarin Moore • Updated June 21, 2021

Pandemic tees up dollar stores for favorable post-crisis future

Dollar Tree, Dollar General and Five Below benefited from stockpiling into Q3, but stand to gain no matter how long the outbreak continues.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 3, 2020

30 minutes with Adore Me's marketing and design chiefs

Helen Mears and Chloe Chanudet talk about how they've built the DTC brand's marketing and product strategy over the years.

By Cara Salpini • Dec. 3, 2020

SKU'd: From Crocs to Uggs, ugly shoes have won

When Telfar Clemens gives your brand a stamp of approval you know it's back in fashion. 

By Kaarin Moore • Dec. 1, 2020