Retail
Analysis and advice from the front lines of the retail transformation.
Highlights

The Organised Retail Crime Phenomenon, Explained

Reports of large-scale theft rings are driving US lawmakers to explore tough-on-crime policies. Data on whether there is a crime wave paints a more ambiguous picture. BoF unpacks the murky situation.

Case Studies & Reports

Case Study

Case Study | Fashion’s New Playbook for Online Returns

Case Study

Case Study | The Complete Guide to Managing Markdowns

Case Study

Case Study | Can On Set a New Pace for Sportswear?

Latest News & Analysis

How TikTok, Shein and Temu Are Changing the Look of E-Commerce

All three companies have embraced a busy, garish design that’s popular in China and ideally calibrated to sell plenty of low-cost products. Will the same be true as these companies attempt to move upmarket?

Farfetch Found Its White Knight. What’s Next?

The South Korean e-commerce firm Coupang has saved Farfetch from potential bankruptcy, and could use its logistical and marketing might to solve some of the luxury e-tailer’s seemingly intractable problems. But “everything stores” have a spotty track record when it comes to high-end retail.

Are Brands Ready for a Holiday Returns Surge?

Return rates are set to soar this holiday, despite slower sales growth, putting brands’ returns management playbooks to the ultimate test.

Farfetch Sold to South Korea’s Coupang

The deal provides the online luxury giant with $500 million in emergency funding. A complex transaction that would have seen Farfetch acquire a 47.5 percent stake in Yoox-Net-a-Porter from Richemont is dead.

The Year Ahead: Deconstructing Fast Fashion’s Future

Fast-fashion challengers, led by Shein and Temu, are changing tactics around price, customer experience and speed. Success for disruptors and incumbents will likely hinge on their ability to adapt to fiercer competition and other pressures, The State of Fashion 2024 reports.

What Happens When the Travel Boom Ends?

Discounted airfare and lower hotel occupancies in recent months signal weakening demand in the vacation economy. For brands that thrived on “revenge travel,” this means pivoting to more versatile products and offering cheaper options.

The Category Where Nike Is Racing to Catch Up

The world’s biggest footwear brand has struggled to fend off competition in the fast-growing running category. Earnings this week provide an opportunity to show progress.

Under Pressure From Shein, H&M Reaches for Upmarket Shoppers

In seeking to attract more aspirational shoppers, H&M is boosting its image through high fashion collaborations.

Why Fashion Campaigns Need Sensitivity Checks

The outcry over Zara’s ill-conceived, poorly-timed campaign this week highlights the blind spots that fashion brands routinely make apparent in their advertising.

The Year Ahead: How Brands Are Reinventing Outdoor Wear

The lines between functionality and style will continue to blur as consumers continue to embrace ”gorpcore” and competition increases among technical outdoor wear players, according to The State of Fashion 2024.

Farfetch Woes Worsened by Brands’ Distaste for Discounts

As top brands seek greater control over distribution in part to avoid discounting, the e-commerce platform has been offering up to 45 percent off smaller labels such as Balenciaga, Diesel, Balmain and Lanvin.

Musinsa: The K-Fashion Ecosystem Goes Global

The expanding popularity of K-culture is helping South Korean brands and retailers like Musinsa gain global recognition, explains CEO in an interview for The State of Fashion 2024.

THE NEWS IN BRIEF

Temu Files New Lawsuit Against Rival Shein

PDD Holdings’ international facing discount e-commerce platform, Temu, filed a lawsuit in a US District of Columbia court on Wednesday alleging rival Shein employed “Mafia-style intimidation” to coerce suppliers that also worked with Temu.

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