What: The 13th report from the World Retail Congress, a long-time partner of IADS.

Why it is important: IADS members’ Christmas Windows are on display in the report, just like last year, while IADS shares its views on 2 topics:

Luxury and Metaverse, and Organisations in department stores (which is the topic of our latest White Paper).

The 13th issue of the WRC looks at the current situation of retail in the world: companies have significantly changed and pivoted, which is helpful in the current context, where the evolution with variants and vaccines does not change anything to the uncertainty that was prevailing already a year ago.

However there are reasons for hope given said adaptation, that has been seen and noted on all categories, worldwide. The report gives key metrics and numbers globally and by country, including a report from Mastercard, and also addresses a key strategic topics:

• The climate-change concern can be a cause worth to be embraced by grocery retailers. Adapting the logistical and distribution processes might be costly, but potential ROI and gains at stake will not only compensate, but exceed the needed investments. The report stresses on the fact that, in reality, grocery retails do not really have the choice if they want to preserve their profitability on the long run,
• How to adapt to an omnichannel, data-driven and customer experience focused era by addressing 5 key topics: getting ahead of costly returns, becoming the go-to destination for shoppers, expanding payment options, connecting online and in-store experiences, and diving into data through monetization,
• Deloitte share their conclusion about the changes that took place in the “new world”: in substance, customers are more attentive to their needs, looking for purpose over earnings, and willing to recalibrate their work-life balance,
• Alibaba provides some insight on the 11.11 event which is now a global phenomenon, while Spar shares the reasons for its success in 2021,
• A selection of interesting retail-tech startups is provided by Springwise, the innovation partner at WRC.

Finally, investment veteran Gilbert Harrison shares his view on the market, taking on the opportunity of the release of his latest autobiographical book, “Deal Junkie”.

The Retail World : End of the Year issue