While some pandemic problems in retail have waned, with inventories leveling off and consumers returning to buying both in-stores and online, 2024 is not without its challenges.
Consumers are feeling the impact of inflation, while retail C-suites continue to see turnover. Additionally, layoffs — which retailers turned to last year to trim costs — have continued into the new year as businesses emphasize profits in a tough macroeconomic environment.
Retailers continue to report theft as a challenge, and close stores because of it, but key numbers related to “organized retail crime” have come under scrutiny.