Fashion Retail Now and Next

Retail covers a multitude of processes that move finished fashion products into the consumer domain and where significant value is created for both fashion brands and customers. In the first part of the chapter a concise overview of the fashion retail landscape is etched out, referring to the development of retail channels in the light of online retail growth. The concept of omnichannel retail is introduced and regional differences in retail development are acknowledged. A discussion about how fashion retail has evolved follows with reference to the impact of online retailing and other technologies on consumer purchasing journeys and the customer experience. The importance of product management and experiential environments for fashion retail is highlighted. The second part of the chapter considers the likely future of fashion retailing, informed by recent research including that of the authors concluding with some pointers about the future direction of fashion retail, using contemporary conceptualisations to frame those predictions. The chapter is based on secondary research using reliable industry sources, academic studies, examples and cases to support the narrative.