2025 Provocative Predictions for Retail's Future: Part 2

Jan 28, 2025

The discussion kicks off with predictions about a potential retail apocalypse, forecasting over 15,000 store closures. Insights into how GLP-1 drugs are reshaping food consumption trends reveal notable impacts on the industry. Walmart's strategic partnership with ReBag is explored, aiming to attract a wealthier shopper base. The challenges facing department stores, especially Target and Kohl's, highlight shifting market dynamics. Plus, exciting trends in podcasting emerge, hinting at unique collaborations for new product launches.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

TikTok's Fate and Agricultural Labor Concerns

02:00 • 5min

Retail Revolution: Closures and Adaptations

07:07 • 9min

Walmart's Strategic Move into Luxury Resale

15:55 • 3min

Podcasters and Product Launches: A Lighthearted Exchange

18:50 • 2min

Retail Challenges and Future Outlook

21:04 • 22min

Shifts in Food Consumption Trends

42:37 • 5min

Future Trends in Retail and Consumer Behavior

47:11 • 2min

We wrap up the second batch of Steve's provocative annual retail predictions with a focus on (mostly) educated guesses for the department store sector, what's next for Target, whether a new retail apocalypse is on the horizon, the outlook for deal making, and the impact of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. All this plus a few bonus wildcard prognostications.

But first, we start with a look at the latest retail news including what the wild and wooly first week of the Trump administration and what it might portend for the retail industry. Then we discussion what to make of a prediction that store closings will more than double this year, what's driving the continued strong growth of private label, and whether we're about to see a meaningful uptick in retail management layoffs. Then we conclude unpacking a fascinating partnership between Walmart and Rebag and speculating what sort of merch partnerships might work for the pod.

Our Interview with Fashionphile CEO Sarah Davis.

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About Us

Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.

Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.