DMM Retail Industry e-News Issue #221

RetailDive’s Top Ten Trends for 2022

The editorial team at RetailDive took a “Deep Dive” to come up with the top ten trends that will impact retailers in 2022. Obviously COVID is still a major concern, and e-trends are part of the mix, but even those issues can be utilized in positive ways by brick-and-mortar. Among their top ten, 1) Retailers should invest heavily in supply chains, 2) Inflation could come for consumers’ discretionary funds, and 3) The purpose of a store continues to evolve. “Last year was different. The number of closure plans declined year over year, according to Coresight Research. But retailers, in an effort to make those stores really count, are also rethinking store formats – even abandoning flagships in some cases – and switching their locations.”

Grocery Stores as Shopping Center Focal Points in 2022

Retail shopping centers that include grocery stores could be key in 2022. ProgressiveGrocer.com looked to real estate investment trust Phillips Edison and Company (PECO) and their predictions for the new year. PECO sees several important focal points, such as: large retailers’ (ie, Target) ongoing efforts to open smaller-format concepts, and automation to improve customer experiences. “With supply chain issues dominating headlines as we navigate the holiday season, automation is playing a critical role in how retailers are getting product from point A to point B,” said Mike Conway, VP of national accounts and retail partnerships at PECO, in a press release. One added note from your humble e-newsletter editor, ShoppingCenters.com will soon let subscribers search for and locate shopping centers that have grocery stores. “Data in aisle one, two, three…aw, heck, data in every aisle!” Stay tuned!

🎶 In the Year 2030 🎶 – Wait, That’s Only 8 Years Away!

Remember when 2030 seemed so very far away? Well, it’s not. It’s as distant as 2014, and that was, like, yesterday. The folks at Ericsson Research recently came out with their “10 Hot Consumer Trends” report and it specifically outlines 10 high-tech facilities for consumers — hybrid malls in eight years: the Everyspace Plaza. Where “ideas will merge into a networked reality, where every space becomes the right place for next-generation experiences.” So, what does that mean? “This future could see beauty salons that are programmed to apply make-up that adapts to your surroundings; swimming pools where you can use oxygenated VR headsets to experience zero gravity; and make-your-own factories where you can select customized designs for any product.” Click the link above to watch a one-minute video and download the report.