MADE Trends introduces "Covid-19 & The Retail Industry". In this new report, MADE Trends explores a post-COVID future for retail, where brands and consumers alike will be forced to collaborate and evolve in creative new ways. After years of "retail apocalypse" predictions, the coronavirus pandemic has thrown the industry into truly uncharted waters where it feels like only the strongest will survive. But when the dust settles, we suggest there is an opportunity for a retail r

One value of direct-to-consumer is that customers have easy access to a brand: it’s simple to find, understand, and purchase; and they feel like they understand the company’s mission more intimately than they would with the average legacy brand. But it also creates direct access to your customers. You can make the most of this by building a direct line of communication and soliciting feedback from followers, shaping future product updates, and marketing campaigns around what

MADE Trends introduces "Building A Brand In the Direct-to-Consumer Era". This presentation is a guide for brands looking to expand direct sales channels or simply take inspiration from a new generation of marketers. We’re living in the age of the direct-to-consumer brand. Originally exemplified by disruptors like Glossier and Everlane, the term “DTC” has largely become shorthand for a brand that targets millennial consumers using a strategy that includes an emphasis on brand

Even before the impact of Covid-19, the fashion industry was in the process of adjusting to a new reality, where old ways of manufacturing and selling weren’t able to keep up with new global standards and rising consumer expectations around sustainability and transparency. MADE Trends’ deck “Sustainability: A Starting Point” is an overview of key trends and changing consumer attitudes, illustrated with best-in-class examples from leading environmentally conscious brands to re

Gen Z is the generation most willing to pay a premium for sustainable products (73%) compared to millennials (68%), Gen X (55%), Silent Generation (50%) and baby boomers (42%). Some of Gen Z are more inspired by figures like Greta Thunberg and no-waste queen Lauren Singer. Activism comes naturally to this cohort, who vote with their wallet and will abandon a brand they feel disagrees with their views. They feel a deep association between their behaviors as a consumer and a ci

With e-commerce making up an increasing share of retail sales year over year, it seems a natural choice for retailers across categories to invest in. However, there are some retail experiences that seem to just not translate online: chief among them, off-price and dollar stores. When it comes to discount e-commerce, strategies differ. TJ Maxx has sold online since 2013, but the parent company’s Home Goods brand does not, and it brought Marshall’s online just last year. Chall

As the economy grows, the calculation of the gross domestic product only "measures the size of a nation's economy and doesn't reflect on a nation's welfare" (Kapoor, Debroy, 2019). The gross domestic product was created during World War II by the economist Maynard Keynes. Keynes demonstrated that the gross domestic product should be calculated by creating the sum of private consumption, investment, and government spending. However, in modern society, environmental and health

Fast fashion is a feminist issue - In fast fashion, 80% of the people making our clothing are young women, ages 18 to 24, most of whom earn less than $3 a day, according to the nonprofit group Remake. - Teen Vogue & Slow Factory Nearly half (48%) of U.S. consumers say they would definitely or probably change their consumption habits to reduce their impact on the environment. And these consumers are putting their dollars where their values are, spending $128.5 billion on susta

As more consumers stay in, categories related to the home may also benefit as a result of the fear around COVID-19, or coronavirus, as more local and state governments encourage citizens to self-isolate and avoid social activity or commuting. Amid the coronavirus spread, economists are worried about the impact the virus would have on the economy and are already observing a shift in consumer demand. Over the upcoming months, consumers will be willing to spend more for products

Brands often feel hamstrung between getting political – risking the alienation of customers who disagree – or staying silent, risking condemnation from an increasingly politically activated consumer base. Data shows that consumers care, but doesn’t necessarily help brands know where to align politically. According to a study by Morning Consult and AdAge, 47% of all consumers have taken some kind of action inspired by a brand's political actions. Clever, non-partisan strategi

Minnesota-based materials company 3M is releasing a new type of packaging that requires no tape and no filler, and it can be customized to fit any object under 3 pounds—which 3M says accounts for about 60% of all items that are bought online and shipped. 3M claims that the material, called the Flex & Seal Shipping Roll, can reduce time spent packing, the amount of packaging materials, and the space needed to ship packages. The roll is made out of three layers of different pla

Gabriela Hearst is walking towards a Zero carbon footprint. An unexpected Fashion Week trend? Carbon neutrality. American designer Gabriela Hearst’s New York show was carbon neutral, and now Gucci has announced that its upcoming Milan runway will be too. Gucci even went a step further, announcing that it plans to have a fully carbon-neutral supply chain by the end of September. Gucci has been on a green mission since 2017 when it announced it would be going fur-free. Since th

Consumers are increasingly drawn to small brands with compelling and authentic narratives. In order to keep pace, larger companies must learn how to think small and either create their own new brands or acquire disruptive DTC brands. With VC dollars at the ready, funding is enabling the growth of challenger brands and is expected to continue through 2021. More related articles: Farfetch's next move? testing the resale market, Retail at risk: analysts cite resale revolution,

After years of having personal data owned and handled by businesses, a more distrusting consumer now expects companies to reciprocate with radical transparency and sharing of information. For companies to meet a new bar for consumer trust they will need to offer a heightened level of transparency along dimensions such as value for money, creative integrity, and data protection. Key brand player Everlane. More related articles: Farfetch's next move? testing the resale market

Younger generations’ passion for social and environmental causes has reached critical mass, causing brands to become more fundamentally purpose-driven to attract both consumers and talent. Consumers from some, but not all markets will reward players that take a strong stance on social and environmental issues beyond traditional CSR. Brands like All-Birds and Drunk Elephant are front runners in this space. More related articles: Farfetch's next move? testing the resale marke

The lifespan of the fashion product is becoming more elastic as pre-owned, refurbished, repair and retail business models continue to evolve. Fashion players will increasingly tap into this market to gain access to new consumers seeking both affordability and a move away from the permanent ownership of clothing. Noting new power players like The Real Real, Thred-Up, and Urban Outfitters Nuuly. More related articles: Farfetch's next move? testing the resale market, Retail at r

End of Ownership The lifespan of the fashion product is becoming more elastic as pre-owned, refurbished, repair and retail business models continue to evolve. Fashion players will increasingly tap into this market to gain access to new consumers seeking both affordability and a move away from the permanent ownership of clothing. Noting new power players like The Real Real, Thred-Up, and Urban Outfitters Nuuly. Getting Woke Younger generations’ passion for social and environme

Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who shot to global fame for inspiring worldwide student strikes to promote action against climate change, took her mission to U.S. President Donald Trump’s doorstep on this month with a protest outside the White House. Next came the “Climate Strike” in which youths and adults were encouraged to walk out of schools and work to urge more action on climate change. Trump is among a small minority of global leaders who have openly questioned the sc

25 million US fans to make E-Sport an Olympic game Esports, competitive video gaming, is fast becoming one of the most popular spectator sports in the world, especially among young men. There are an estimated 25 million US fans and 250 million viewers worldwide, and most of them also play. By 2020, it’s estimated that 70 million people may watch a single esports final. Game developers are now borrowing tactics from the traditional sports industry and establishing competitive

How to follow the trend and be sustainably conscious? Consumer views on ownership are changing – the closet of the future is about rotation, not accumulation. Research shows that younger consumers are driven by two key priorities: to be seen in new styles constantly and to be sustainably conscious. So there is much to celebrate in the phenomenal rise of the resale clothing market which offers variety, value, and sustainability. Changing attitudes towards ownership is propelli