The pandemic was disastrous for many retailers; we estimate that total retail sales worldwide plunged 2.8% in 2020. Though, while many physical stores were shuttered, digital retail sales soared by over 25% in a single year.

At the time of this writing, videos with the hashtag #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt have garnered 10.2 billion global views and counting. For context, we expect 755.0 million people worldwide to use TikTok in 2022, so that’s as if every user viewed the hashtag about 13 times.

Halting regulatory progress remains in flux and faces fragmentation at the global level. Without international agreements, a metaverse intent on connecting the world will not make it across sovereign borders. The myriad of crypto tokens must be shaken out. The metaverse is filled with tokens, and more are created every day.

Food and beverage, along with healthcare and beauty, are considered essentials and have some of the strongest retail sales growth for the year, at 7.1% and 8.6%, respectively. Nonessential retail sales like furniture, electronics, and books/music/videos all decline from 2021; growth won't exceed 5.6% for any of them.

In May 2022, high-income households were 35% more likely to spend more on goods than experiences, whereas low-income households were 41% more likely, according to data from Deloitte’s Global State of the Consumer Tracker. Higher-income households are starting to react to increasing prices.

Meanwhile, total retail sales are predicted to hit $6.988 trillion this year. The healthy job market, low unemployment, and wage increases have kept US consumers spending, even in the face of high inflation.

After an unusually difficult 2021, Southeast Asia’s overall retail sales will join the global rebound this year. Total sales will jump 9.0% YoY and finally exceed pre-pandemic levels. Among many standout performers, none will shine brighter than Indonesia. Ecommerce sales in Indonesia will grow by 23.0% this year to total $58.00 billion.

Adidas announced an expanded partnership with Foot Locker with the aim of generating more than $2 billion in retail sales by 2025. Reebok is making more of its products available at Macy’s, and will also develop exclusive items for the retailer, parent company Authentic Brands Group said.

KEY STAT: Nine in 10 companies worldwide that use location data expect its use to become only more important over the next few years. Key Points. Despite privacy concerns, most companies using location data expect that it will become even more significant.

Why it’s worth watching: The International Data Corporation noted that global PC sales have declined 5.1% YoY in Q1 2022. The news comes on the heels of two years of double-digit growth, per The Register. The decline is a reflection of rising costs and market saturation after unprecedented demand. IDC says the ebb isn’t a “downward spiral” for PC manufacturers but rather a readjustment.

KEY STAT: Total US retail sales will increase 2.5% year over year (YoY) in 2022 to $6.624 trillion. Ecommerce sales will grow 16.1%, while growth for in-store sales—which will account for more than 80% of total retail sales—will be close to flat. Introduction. Retailers that continue to digitize the shopping journey to minimize friction and increase convenience will win in 2022.

After a booming holiday shopping season in 2021, privacy-compliant consumer intelligence data offers a great deal of insight into what we can expect to see moving forward.

Nor is it the only union looking to represent Amazon workers: Should the vote in Bessemer pass, workers would join the Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, while the new president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has made organizing Amazon employees a top priority.