Consumers are craving connection and convenience, and retailers are stepping up to meet those needs, reimagining what the entire shopping experience should look like. From conversational commerce to seamless online shopping experiences, the future of retail is bold and innovative, and it belongs to independent retailers.
To help retailers define and own their success in 2022, we partnered with Wakefield Research to see how 500 retail managers and owners, along with 1,000 consumers, are shaking up the status quo. Whether you’re an online retailer, have brick-and-mortar locations, or a mix of both, this retail report will help you understand the top trends and changing customer expectations defining the next age of the retail experience.


59%
of customers made a direct purchase through social media over the past month.
72%
of retailers use or plan to use automation to decrease staff members’ hands-on time.
42%
of retailers currently — or plan to — sell products via text or chat.