Economist Intelligence Unit news and archive

Unveiling the future of retail: EIU's 2024 outlook

From the bustling aisles of brick-and-mortar stores, now filled with "experiential shopping" experiences, to the fast-changing landscapes of online commerce, with an ever-increasing number of pure players and discounters entering the game, what are the latest trends shaping consumer goods and retail? Will inflation fluctuating rates keep on...

Retail

60 percent of the fashion and textile industry are eager to go green

Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, new research reveals sustainability is still ranked as the second most important strategic objective for businesses (60 percent) in the retail sector. The number one priority in the list was improving customers’ experience (64 percent), while one in six listed ‘rewarding shareholders’ as the top objective. That’s...

Fashion

Western retailers move into Africa

Like many elements in fashion these days, trends are doing a complete 180 degrees, so from Eastern Europe and surrounding Oriental areas, now fashion has already found its ‘new Asia’; a completely different continent altogether – Africa. As countless magazines and online sites are looking at ‘rebranding Africa’ – even the IHT luxury conference...