Gen Zers in the US want their brands to support mental health more than any other cause, cited by 53% of those surveyed by ICSC and Big Village. Tied for second place are environmental causes, including climate change and sustainability, and racial and gender equity (47% each).

Shein made an unforced error: Its attempt to improve its public image by inviting influencers to its 'innovation center' only drove more scrutiny as it pursues an IPO.

Every marketer wants to know: What do Gen Z consumers care about? How do they shop? What motivates them to make a purchase?

What banks can do to stay true to their commitments to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.

This year, furniture and home furnishings will make up a $179.75 billion ecommerce market in the US, according to our forecast, and growth is accelerating. With challenges coming from big names like Amazon and Walmart and resale platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, Ikea has no choice but to innovate to keep up.

The Container Store embraces resale: Its partnership with thredUP will allow shoppers to resell gently worn items for shopping credit at The Container Store.

VC firms scramble to keep money flowing to climate tech: After a pandemic-era funding boom, economic uncertainty threatens to undermine climate innovation. Recognizing the ROI, VC firms are taking action.

As apparel retailers grapple with consumers’ pullback in discretionary spending, a few common themes are emerging. Some are refocusing on core consumers while others are experimenting with cutting-edge technologies.

Inflation is starting to ease, but consumers remain cautious with their spending. This puts pressure on consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands and retailers to attract customers without affecting the bottom line.

Retailers struggle to find a balance between growth and sustainability: Efforts to reduce environmental footprints often run counter to the desire to grow sales.

D2C ecommerce is rapidly evolving, driven by digital marketing, AI-enhanced personalization, sustainability, and more. By identifying and leveraging these emerging trends, businesses can effectively adapt to this competitive environment and address the dynamic expectations of consumers today.

Resale is ultimately better for the environment, but consumers tend to cite savings—not sustainability—as the most important reason for purchasing used goods.

Secondhand shopping is soaring: We expect resale volumes will grow more than twice as fast as total US retail sales through 2026.

Online fashion resale remains a fast-growing retail channel despite ongoing economic headwinds—and Gen Z is the driving force. How can brands and retailers venturing into fashion resale find success amid pullbacks on discretionary spending?

As consumers continue to grapple with inflation and economic uncertainty, our inaugural forecast shows that the US resale market will remain one of the fastest-growing segments in retail.

Scrutiny over labor practices puts Starbucks, Nike, and others in the hot seat: The backlash could force retailers to improve supply chain transparency and worker protections.

Becoming a more sustainable company doesn’t have to mean spending more money—sustainability can have a positive impact on the bottom line. In this conversation, Tracy shares strategies for companies looking to boost their sustainability efforts and what she hopes attendees learned at her Shoptalk session.

“Let it be okay to also ask dumb questions, because there aren’t any.” That’s ThredUP CMO Noelle Sadler Delory’s advice for building a marketing team that understands creative, metrics, and its customer holistically. Delory and the CMOs of Marine Layer and Fernish also advocate for breaking down silos between performance and brand marketers so everyone understands the same metrics and speaks the same language.

Generous returns policies have encouraged shoppers to buy online, but an unsustainable wave of returned goods is forcing retailers to rethink their strategies.

As consumers balance the cost of necessities with the desire to splurge, secondhand luxury is a sweet spot, giving shoppers a way to treat themselves without breaking the bank. The category, which was valued at €43 billion ($45.21 billion) in 2022, will continue to grow, driven by cost-conscious and sustainability-minded consumers.