What: The Robin Report reviews the forces re-structuring the US market, post-pandemic.

Why it is important: Fewer malls, but more stores: it is all about experience, surprise and supporting the customer. One do needs to remember that in the US the retail footprint per capita is remarkably high, which means that the conclusions drawn in this article do not necessarily apply to other markets.

The Robin Report reviews the trends induced by the pandemic and their consequences i eight points: the physical store became more important than ever as shown by the decrease of the Macy’s store closure program or the decision of Warby Parker to open more stores, however this comes as a reflect for stores to be a center for services supporting online selling. The fact that remote working is here to stay means that online is inexorably gaining market shares (even though its growth has slowed down in 2022) leading to a new phenomenon: more stores, but in fewer malls.

The author forecasts that in the future, online will represent up to 70% of sales, which is a challenging figures we do not necessarily agree with.

Did the pandemic change retailing dramatically?