I expect retailers to focus on reimagining brick-and-mortar locations. On the practical side, store redesigns will address advanced e-commerce fulfillment capabilities. On the experiential side, creative merchandising and next-level technology integrations will help retailers make up for lost sales in discretionary categories like apparel and accessories. Reigniting non-essential categories will be a top priority and, if successful, will drive better margins in the latter half of the year.

Carol Spieckerman, CEO of Spieckerman Retail, in an interview with Talk Business & Politics for its report, “Retail Sector Preps for Reovery as Online Commerce Grows in 2021.”