A World without Cash and a Recap of an Eventful 2018
A WORLD WITHOUT CASH?
In light of AI automated checkouts and cashless stores such as Amazon Go, a new report highlights the risks of a world without cash with claims that millions of people would suffer.
Advancements in cashless transactions include fingerprints and facial recognition, which is expected to graduate from phone and tablet access to a wider role in payments. Peer-to-peer apps such as Venmo or Cash App are prominent in the US and similar products are popular in China where payments are transferred via text.
While tech companies such as Apple push towards a digital society where consumers increasingly rely on a mix of credit cards and virtual technology, digital payments could handicap those who are financially handicapped or in debt, disabled people, and rural families.
ARE YOU READY FOR SUPER SATURDAY? While 2019 will bring new retail trends and technologies, it's also important to reflect on the most impactful events of 2018. Along with our official {Year End Report](http://go.stylesage.co/year-end-report-2018), here is a calendar of the most important retail news stories from each month this year. Grab your popcorn! From heart-wrenching store shutterings to speedy CEO departures, each month of 2018 was jam-packed with retail action. Read More |
VICTORIA BECKHAM LOSES $13 MILLION
Victoria Beckham's eponymous luxury line of clothing, accessories, and eyewear is reported to have lost $12.9 million in 2018 this year. In 2017, the label received a $40 million investment, some of which was allotted to more physical stores openings. Beckham hopes to expand the line's present to the Asian luxury market. Read More |
####SHOPPERS ARE JUDGING RETAILERS BY THEIR RETURN POLICY
As we reach the climax of the holiday season, the latest holiday shopping survey has determined the majority of consumers' purchasing patterns are influenced by retailers' return policies.
According to the return solutions firm, Happy Returns, 88 percent of shoppers want to be able to return a purchase to a physical store or through a pre-paid shipping method, and 95 percent claim a smooth return process is a deciding factor in whether or not they'll buy from a retailer again.
The study found that the rise of returns is a result of an increase in e-commerce sales, and the return process is not a smooth one for many online purchases.
A RECAP OF AN EVENTFUL YEAR IN RETAIL While 2019 will bring new retail trends and technologies, it's also important to reflect on the most impactful events of 2018. Along with our official Year End Report, here is a calendar of the most important retail news stories from each month this year. Grab your popcorn! From heart-wrenching store shutterings to speedy CEO departures, each month of 2018 was jam-packed with retail action. Read More |
THIS WEEK'S BRIGHT SPOT As more consumers turn to online solutions to make purchases, the threat of an apocalypse has loomed over brick-and-mortar retailers. Nevertheless, Wall Street firm UBS holds this to be a false narrative. It predicts bricks-and-mortar store sales have plenty of room to grow. "Stores may have a more important role to play in the U.S. retail ecosystem than we currently appreciate." says analyst Jay Sole. Read More |