Last holiday season would have marked a certain “post-pandemic” normalcy, but extreme excess inventory and inflation significantly impeded any anticipated recalibration. This holiday season, though prices are still high and purse strings remain tightened, there’s slightly more stability inherent in the current retail environment that will bring more clarity to the numbers. Retailers will leverage this moment to focus on operational efficiencies and consumer connection.
AI Investment
Generative AI and AI will help drive efficiencies for mission-driven consumers and overworked employees. While this is hardly a prediction at this point since generative AI has been all the rage, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t mention it as a core part of retail holiday strategies this season.
