05_Preread_StoreStrategy

Overview of retail evolution

Traditional Brick-and Mortar

Tech-Led and Purpose Driven Retail

Rise of E-Commerce

COVID-19 Acceleration

Online Disruption : E-commerce giants like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay redefined shopping convenience and accessibility Long-Tail Effect : Massive product variety available online changed the consumer expectation for breadth of choice Price Transparency : Consumers could compare prices instantly, putting pressure on margins

Omnichannel Strategy : Retailers began integrating online and offline channels Mobile Revolution : Smartphones became the primary shopping tool, leading to app-based commerce and mobile payments Social Commerce : Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and WeChat became key sales and discovery channels Experience over Product : Physical stores evolved into brand experience centers

Digital Shift : Lockdowns forced rapid digital transformation; e commerce adoption surged across all demographics Contactless Economy : Growth of QR codes, self checkout, curbside pickup, and home delivery Health & Safety Focus : Retailers had to ensure safety standards in both physical and digital operations Consumer Behavior Reset : Increased demand for essentials, local sourcing, and home-based categories

AI-Powered Personalization : Use of AI to tailor promotions, recommend products, and optimize inventory Experiential Retail : Retail as a hybrid of entertainment, engagement, and shopping Subscription & DTC : Rise of subscription models and direct-to-consumer strategies Retail Media Networks : Retailers monetizing first party data via social platforms (e.g., Walmart Connect, Amazon Ads) Sustainability & ESG : Growing importance of ethical sourcing, circular economy, and sustainable practices

Store-Centric : Retail was primarily physical — department stores, supermarkets, and malls dominated Push Model : Brands controlled the narrative, and shoppers responded to mass marketing and promotions Limited Data : Retailers had little consumer insight beyond sales data Cash-Heavy Transactions : Reliance on cash and basic POS systems

Globalization : Brands began to scale globally through digital platforms

Pre-2000s

2000s – 2010s

2010s – Late 2010s

2020-2022

2022 – Now

Future… Experiments with virtual stores, AR/VR, and blockchain for transparency and loyalty…

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Source: broker reports, public articles

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