Retail Insights
Stay updated on retail’s latest news, insights & trends with a focus on disruptive innovation. Powered by RLC Global Forum’s powerful, global community.
The 2026 RLC Global Forum unveils six global themes and strategic partnerships with Cenomi Centers and Panda Retail Company, framing a new vision for retail growth amid Riyadh’s rise as a catalyst for global transformation.
AI is ready to shop. Global consumers aren’t so sure. As technology assumes more of the buying process, trust and not convenience has become the deciding factor.
The €4.7 billion sale of Kering Beauty to L’Oréal marks a decisive turn in the balance of power across the global beauty and luxury industries.
Luxury retail is evolving, as brands face pressure to rethink growth strategies. Today’s consumers expect more than prestige—they seek immersive experiences, on-demand access, and personalized, time-efficient service.
Despite a wave of recent high-profile appointments—from Maria Grazia Chiuri at Fendi to Grace Wales Bonner at Hermès—women remain the exception, not the rule, in luxury fashion’s leadership ranks.
The internet has taught us many things: how to scroll, how to compare, how to abandon a cart with conviction. Now it’s teaching us how to buy without ever leaving the chat. Instant Checkout has turned ChatGPT from a conversation platform into a sales channel.
As the 2025 holiday season approaches, Salesforce’s latest retail sales forecast points to a softer yet more stable market. With U.S. online sales projected to rise just 2.1%, retailers are rethinking what growth means in an era of cautious consumers, tighter budgets, and smarter strategies.
Forget face serums. In China, the real beauty revolution is happening above the eyebrows. From scalp scrubs to smart diagnostics, the China haircare market is booming, turning self-care into science and making hair health the new marker of modern wellbeing.
The rules of luxury are being rewritten. And fast. As global affluence shifts, especially in China, traditional status symbols are losing ground to experiences, values, and emotional relevance. This is what high-net-worth consumers want now, and what the future of luxury depends on.
The luxury market is shifting fast. As economic pressures slow spending, top-tier consumers drive most luxury purchases. Yet, brand satisfaction is falling short, revealing a growing demand for hyper-personalized experiences and stronger connections.
Chalhoub Group has made a strategic investment in designer Willy Chavarria, reinforcing its commitment to global luxury growth and culturally driven brand innovation.
From Nike × Skims to New Balance × GANNI, sportswear collaborations have become the defining play of modern fashion. Once rare, these crossovers now shape the culture, giving substance and meaning to an industry that thrives on reinvention.
Swiss watch exports once ticked along with predictable precision. Today, they face disruption, caught between global headwinds and the pressures of reinvention.
What do Macy’s, IKEA, Nordstrom, and Whole Foods have in common? They’re all embracing small-format department stores to adapt to rising real estate costs and the demand for convenience. But while small may be smart, it isn’t always simple.
At the RLC Fashion Summit in Milan, global CEOs, investors and leaders convened to explore what’s next for the fashion and luxury industries. Here are five key takeaways from the floor.