The global retail market will reach $25.038 trillion in 2019, an increase of 4.5% and a slight acceleration in growth vs. the prior year, per our estimates. At the same time, it represents a marked decline from the five years preceding that, when global retail sales grew at rates between 5.7% and 7.5% each year.

Gen Z is a tough generation for retailers to figure out. They grew up on the internet, but don't like to be targeted with ads there, and crave authenticity in all of their interactions. We parsed the research to help retailers figure it out.

A significant number of retailers in North America are now working with influencers as part of their marketing strategy. According to polling by Retail TouchPoints for referral marketing platform Extole, 31% of retailers said they have worked with brand advocates to become influencers, 30% used microinfluencers and 28% used paid celebrity influencers.

Mobile payments have been thought to be on the cusp of widespread adoption for several years now. But most consumers have responded to the technology with a noncommittal shrug.

According to data from liquidation platform B-Stock Solutions, roughly $90 billion to $95 billion in holiday gifts will be returned this year.

Retail is in the midst of a transformation, at both physical stores and online. This report examines 10 trends that will most shape retail in the year ahead.

Amazon will claim nearly half of US retail ecommerce sales in 2018. Sales will be driven by Amazon’s marketplace, which will account for 68.0% of business.

Retail ecommerce sales in Western Europe will rise 11.6% to $381.58 billion in 2018. Amazon is planning to capitalize on rebounding markets by building 1,300 warehouses across the continent.

This StatPack provides a visual overview of major omnichannel retailing trends in the US.

Retail ecommerce platforms in China will total $1.53 billion in sales this year. Over 58% of these sales will take place through Alibaba’s digital storefronts.