After an unpredictable several years, non-grocery retailers in Europe are seeking to uncover pockets of growth. To succeed, they will need to navigate differences across markets and retail categories. - From McKinsey
In 2024, inventory distortion amounted to over $1.7 USD trillion worldwide, a decrease of 2.8% from 2023 (Out-of-Stocks improved by 3.7%, Overstocks by 0.7%), and a decrease of 12.0% from 2022. The total lost is equivalent to approximately 1.0% of the global GDP, or the entire GDP of Australia. - From IHL Services
New research reveals that almost two-thirds (64%) of large retailers in the UK and US agree that the impact of theft has reached a crisis point. In addition, over four-in-ten (42%) believe that theft is more of a concern today than it was twelve months ago. - from Avery Dennison
Which technology trends matter most for companies in 2024? New analysis by the McKinsey Technology Council highlights the adoption, development, and industry effects of advanced technologies. The two trends that stood out in 2023 were gen AI and electrification and renewables. - From McKinsey and Company
Holiday shopping will look different for retailers this year. After remaining largely resilient throughout four years of economic uncertainty, consumers are finally feeling the pinch. Nearly a third of global shoppers (32%) reported using alternative credit services like buy now, pay later (BNPL) more frequently this year. - From Digital Commerce 360
The Top 10 Emerging Technologies report is a vital source of strategic intelligence. First published in 2011, it draws on insights from scientists, researchers and futurists to identify 10 technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies. These emerging technologies are disruptive, attractive to investors and researchers, and expected to achieve considerable scale within five years. - From the World Economic Forum
Consumers no longer fit into traditional archetypes. Some of the most influential consumers of tomorrow are currently underserved. What consumers want is changing too. Weakened brand loyalty, affordability over sustainability, and heightened interest in wellness products and services reflect the preferences and priorities of consumers across ages and geographies. - From McKinsey & Company
This report is the third in our annual research series that examines evolving consumer behaviors. This year, we find that many of the behaviors we noted in our 2023 report have persisted, with consumers continuing to express concern about their personal financial situations amid rising inflation. However, this concern has dropped significantly in the past twelve months as just 43% of consumers worry their personal finances will worsen over the next 6–9 months, compared with 80% who were concerned that they would worsen in the equivalent period last year. - From Cap Gemini
AI is being woven into the workplace at an unexpected scale. 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work today, and 46% of users started using it less than six months ago. It’s paying off as users say AI helps them save time (90%), focus on their most important work (85%), be more creative (84%), and enjoy their work more (83%). - From Microsoft & LinkedIn
Companies that are already using RFID technology in our study averaged profit growth in 2023 that was 57% higher than those who do not. And they are expecting their profits in 2024 to be 88% higher than those not already using RFID. Companies are 34x more likely to use computer vision already and 35% more likely to invest in computer vision in 2024 than below average performers. - From IHL Services
After a prolonged period of suppressed consumer spending, macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, and rapid changes in consumer behavior (among other things), the global retail industry stands at a crossroads; forced to make decisions about long term investments in new technology and business models while at the same time managing the rising cost of doing business and a decline in the spending power of consumers. - From Deloitte Insights
The top 10 countries have remained much the same since before COVID. Finland is still top, with Denmark now very close, and all five Nordic countries in the top 10. But in the next 10, there is more change, with the transition countries of Eastern Europe rising in happiness (especially Czechia, Lithuania and Slovenia). Partly for this reason the United States and Germany have fallen to 23 and 24 in the rankings. - A partnership of Gallup, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and the WHR’s Editorial Board.
Once again, the crime survey shows a massive increase in violence and abuse, reaching the levels experienced during the pandemic at nearly half a million incidents a year. It also shows a massive increase in customer theft, doubling to just shy of £2 billion; a lack of confidence in the police response, with 60% rating it as poor or very poor; and a continuation of the rise in cyber crime. From the British Retail Consortium
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