Retail Week: Sustainable development charity Forum for the Future, supported by Tesco and Unilever, carried out in-depth research for its Retail Futures report, which looked at the major trends likely to affect the retail sector. The report predicts two extremes of consumer behavior. On the one hand, there will be a revival of home and community life as more people work from home. But, at the other extreme, people's busier lives will lead to more frequent shopping and more demand for convenience and flexibility.
In terms of what people buy, personalized products will be one of the main trends to emerge in the next two decades. For instance, instead of buying standard size 10, 12 and 14 items of clothing, female shoppers will be able to request that garments are adjusted to suit their body shape. And, rather than just the standard-issue cereal packet, consumers will be able to choose a packet sized specifically for their family's needs.
