Each quarter, the Glossy team explores emerging industry trends and topics in our member-exclusive research reports. In this edition, we take a look at what defines the future shopping experience and how brands aren’t just readying themselves for what’s next, they’re creating it

Introduction:

Over the past decade, countless malls, department stores and brick-and-mortar locations have fallen victim to the American retail apocalypse. Bankruptcies, shifting consumer priorities, and the rise of ecommerce and mobile capabilities have dominated headlines, contributing to the idea that the traditional shopping experience is a thing of the past. But retail isn’t dead, it’s just evolving.

New business models have changed the fashion and beauty industries, allowing companies — from Instagram-born indie labels to direct-to-consumer brands to tech juggernauts like Amazon — to disrupt the status quo, and forcing conventional brands to adapt and keep up. Touching on everything from supply chain and delivery to brand marketing and social media, today’s most successful companies are differentiating themselves in a crowded market. They’re looking beyond standard omnichannel capabilities and uncovering (and creating) new ways to get closer to their customers, both online and IRL.