Research & Trends: Retailing In An Uncertain Economy

By Paula Rosenblum, RSR

The holiday season is fast approaching, and economic signals remain murky around the world. Somehow, many of the G-20 nations have managed to put themselves into unimaginable debt, while China has finally found itself unable to control its currency valuation and consequent inflation. In the United States, unemployment remains high and is starting to be thought of as "structural," with so many jobs outsourced to other countries, that only individuals with specialized skills are able to find work. Oil prices continue to fluctuate, sometimes for no apparent reason. Yet, despite all this negative news, consumers living in countries with a propensity to consume, continue to do so. Retail results continue to be "not bad," and the luxury segment is in a downright boom. What should retailers do? What are they actually doing?