As many brands sour on the idea of physical retail, retail-as-a-service platforms are scoping up discounted leases and evolving their offerings to lure those on the fence. According to their new pitches, their turnkey spaces eliminate every timely concern around retail, including inflexibility and wasted investment. 

Based on insiders’ reviews, there were pros and cons to the first virtual NYFW, as to be expected in any first stab. But even to spectators, it was apparent what worked -- and what should stick around come February to best serve the industry and engage audiences. 

The move follows L Brands’ announcement in May that it would be closing 250 Victoria’s Secret stores in 2020. And the new pricing aligns with that of “high-volume” Victoria’s Secret and Calvin Klein, which represent “the core of the market,” said co-founder and co-CEO Heidi Zak. 

This week’s quarterly earnings reports of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. and Lululemon showed that physical retail is still worth it for companies that can afford to test models and markets, and offer up ample square footage for wary shoppers. It suggests the so-called retail apocalypse is not about the physical...

On quarterly earnings calls over the last two weeks, executives from Macy’s, Nordstrom and Guess Inc. assured stockholders that they’re in a “clean inventory position.” They cited fewer promotions, better margins and inventory that’s more aligned with consumer demand, compared to prior quarters. The claims did their part to address fashion’s...

But for fashion and beauty brands that have been monitoring these updates since Instagram launched its first shopping tool in 2016, the big pain point out of the gate still remains: the lack of access to customer data. But they’re already over it. 

On Tuesday, Facebook announced updates to its slow rollout of shopping features across Facebook and Instagram, which address some pain points for brands and provide access to more companies hoping to drive sales through the social channels.

Fashion brands are increasingly taking to resale platforms, both to compensate for the current lack of physical sales channels and to minimize losses on excess inventory. In doing so, they’re also getting in on the sustainability conversation at a time when brands’ processes are under a microscope. 

As consumers get used to the comforts of staying at home, including their WFH wardrobes, brands are adjusting their focus to make sweatpants and hoodies a significant portion of their business.