Daily LInks
1. The State of Retail Bankruptcies in 2021: The coronavirus pandemic appeared to be the final straw for a number of retailers that filed for bankruptcy in 2020. More brands, suppliers and landlords may wind up in bankruptcy as the much anticipated “return to normal” depends on vaccine distribution. – Read More on WWD
2. Stock Market Rally in 2020 Easily Outpaced Luxury Goods, Hedge Funds: The S&P 500 index, which tracks the U.S. stock market broadly, rose over 15 percent last year and the tech-heavy Nasdaq index surged over 43 percent. That is significantly better than the performance of many alternative investments. – Read More on the WSJ
3. Next up for retailers: A big wave of gift returns. As shoppers were tucking their final Christmas presents under the tree, U.S. retailers were bracing for a record-setting flood of returns of online gifts bought during the deadly surge in coronavirus cases. Returns are set to swell this year. Shoppers seeking to avoid contagion shifted from stores to online – where return rates are historically higher. – Read More on Reuters
4. COVID-19 upended fashion trends, but will they last? History offers some clues. Part of the reason casualness is likely here to stay is because it’s an extension of an earlier trend. We can see this in what’s deemed appropriate to wear to the office, from suits in the ’90s, to khakis in the 2000s. In recent years, some workers have felt comfortable wearing hoodies and joggers to work. – Read More on Fast Co.
5. Why Fashion Retailing Will Have A Slow Recovery: During our confinement demand for fashion will not return to pre-pandemic levels in the foreseeable future. Unemployment hurts. Retailers must double down on performing categories such as fashion for the home. – Read More on Forbes
