Retail will experience significant change over the coming years. Some brands holding a large number of physical stores have struggled against the rise of pure online enterprises. Success for some has been found through creating highly adaptable business models. A key area for major retailers is next-day delivery services, and these are likely to reform in response to rising discontent concerning employment regulations. Elsewhere technological advances are predicted to not only change how consumers shop but how the underlying business structure functions too. Retail companies are entering another period of fundamental change in how the sector is organized - adapting to new challenges is critical.

Top 5 trends for 2019 and beyond

• Pure online retailers will continue to thrive as physical stores struggle
  
• Next day delivery is essential but could come under pressure from courts
  
• New technology will change the shopping experience forever
  
• Internet of Things is establishing a greater presence in retail
  
• ‘Grey Dollar’ is rising in importance to leading retailers
  

Publisher analyst, Christopher Leyman-Nicholls comments:
"Companies such as Inditex have thrived thanks to advanced supply chains; rivals must follow likewise to compete. The Internet of Things (IoT) is predicted to not only be the next advance in business operations efficiency but also change how consumers shop for everyday items. Meanwhile populations continue to get older. For the balance sheets of retail companies over the coming years, attracting senior consumers, many of whom do not want to be treated as being old, is going to be vital."