What’s driving 2022 retail business strategies?
This final post in our mid-year check-in series reviews evidence of 2022 retail strategy trends.
REAL ESTATE REJUVENATION
Dollar General plans to open more than 1100 new stores this year
Ulta plans to open 50 new stores per year in the U.S.
Amazon has been on a property-buying spree + Amazon Go stores expand to the suburbs
Mixed-use properties are in demand as consumers’ and workers’ needs shift
Strip malls earn higher demand than traditional malls, in part for BOPIS convenience
PROCESS AUTOMATION
Sam’s Club is rolling out inventory-checking robots chainwide
Levi’s saves labor with behind-the-scenes robots
Carrefour invests in blockchain tech for its private label organic products
LOCAL SOURCING
Hy-Vee announced plans to source new local brands from the Midwest
Meijer also features local Midwestern brands and products
Walmart announced product sourcing events for U.S.-made goods
GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS
The Russia-Ukraine crisis replaced COVID-19 as a the top risk to global supply chains
The war in Ukraine led multinationals to reconsider their operations in Russia
COVID-related shutdowns in China affected shipping, availability, luxury brands
AI FOR AGILITY
Albertsons is using AI for fresh foods to reduce waste
Alimentation Couche-Tard plans to roll out computer-vision checkouts at 7000 convenience stores
Walmart invested in supply chain AI company Symbiotic, plus AI-driven fulfillment
OMNICHANNEL SPEED
Aldi opened checkout-free stores
Dollar General is piloting self-checkout-only stores
Tesco pilots an automated, contactless grocery click-and-collect kiosk
Amazon installed Just Walk Out and/or Amazon One technologies at sports venues (Seattle Mariners, New York Islanders, Houston Astros)
WHAT ELSE?
Profitability pressures, risk mitigation (including inflation and supply chain chaos) and the employee experience also fuel 2022 retail strategies. What other strategy trends have you noticed?
Related:
2022 Retail PEST Analysis Mid-Year Check-In
Retail 2022 Porter’s 5 Forces Mid-Year Check-In
Profitability Pressures
