Global Executives’ Perspective on the 2025 Retail Landscape
Global Executives’ Perspective on the 2025 Retail Landscape
Announcing the release of the third edition of our Global Executive Research Whitepaper
Our latest global publication, co-published by our international Ebeltoft alliance and the World Retail Congress, captures the year’s unique retail challenges and opportunities from the point of view of global retail executives. The 2025 report is released in tandem with the Congress held in London this week, with the theme of “Retail’s New Growth Drivers”.
The findings reflect current sentiment from more than 100 retail executives in the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.
Key findings captured in this year’s report are below. Download your copy of the research here to access the data and full report.
- Retailers share general positivity regarding their business’ future, projecting modest growth under pressures of operational costs.
- Business models need to evolve. 1-in-6 respondents share the need for fundamental change to their business model to be fit for the future. Compared to the 2024 survey, the relevance of physical stores has declined, from 90% to 79%.
Photo Credit: McMillanDoolittle
- The ever-changing consumer is a top priority and key challenge.
Photo Credit: McMillanDoolittle
- AI & digitalization is of critical importance, yet many face skill gaps and lack data and tech maturity.
- Scarcity in people remains a major challenge for retail in 2025, and almost all respondents face issues in hiring.
- The bar has been raised to deliver on sustainability. 4-in-10 executives believe their company spends too little attention to the topic.
To dive deeper into the research or to schedule a presentation of the results with our team, get in touch with us. Access our past publications here.
About Ebeltoft Group
Ebeltoft Group is a consortium of international retail consultancies of which we are a founding member. Q&A Insights and Consultancy is our Dutch partner member and leader of Ebeltoft Group x WRC annual publication.
About World Retail Congress
Since 2007, World Retail Congress has been the premier platform for in-depth research, content and events; driving retail growth and inspiring valuable global connections.
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