Chapter 1

Executive Summary

Over the next ten years, the whole global retail landscape looks set to experience a period of dramatic change. Whether owner or occupier, landlord or retailer, conditions are going to be tougher in the coming decade than they were in the previous ten years – but there will also be massive opportunities for those who can ally quick, radical action with impeccable judgement.

Our Retail 2020 research considers and analyses the key trends in global retail: how overseas expansion – particularly eastwards – looks like it should reap rewards, but with certain important caveats; why the growth of the mobile internet and social networking, coupled with increased choice, means that customers are cleverer and more right than they’ve ever been before; how the baby boomers are collecting their pensions, how Gen Y is superseding Gen X, and the changes retailers need to make; why the internet has turned shopping on its head, and what physical retailers need to do to fight back; why customer experience is absolutely everything; and much, much more besides.



If you have any interest in retail, Retail 2020 is essential reading. In the next ten years, growth will be low and cost pressures high. Those companies that can adapt to these straightened times will thrive; those who are too slow to adapt will go the way of the dinosaurs. Make sure you don’t: subscribe to Retail 2020 and prepare for change.

Download the full report here.