2018 Research Rewind

• Retail success is tied to physical stores
Physical stores are essential to the success of both established and emerging brands, a new study from ICSC reveals, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship between online and offline retail.

• 10 shopping styles of the modern consumer
A report produced jointly by ICSC and the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) identifies 10 distinct shopping styles that characterize Gen-Z and Millennial consumers, and it suggests ways that retailers and landlords can best serve those groups.

• Gen Z thinks physical stores are way cooler than shopping online
Gen Z shoppers overwhelmingly prefer shopping in physical stores to buying online, according to a recently released ICSC study that surveyed 13-to-19-year-olds.

• Off-price stores a hit with all age groups
There is one thing, at least, that consumers agree on, regardless of age or gender: Off-price stores are the place to go. Nine out of 10 U.S. adults shop at off-price stores, according to the ICSC Research report titled Consumers Flock to Off-Price Stores.

• U.S. Hispanics biggest fans of physical retail, technology
U.S. Hispanics have a significantly greater affinity for physical retail and technology than non-Hispanics, according to a report by ICSC Research. Tapping U.S. Hispanic Shoppers’ Affinity for Technology and Physical Retail cites ICSC data and outside studies in demonstrating the importance of this demographic segment to the future of the retail real estate industry.

• Today’s centers are about much more than just buying goods
No fewer than 79 percent of U.S. adults patronized food-and-beverage establishments at shopping centers in the first quarter of this year, and 64 percent visited a leisure-entertainment venue there, according to an ICSC Research consumer survey.

• Wellness tenants help keep centers healthy
Shopping centers worldwide have been shaking up their tenant mixes to remain competitive in a challenging retail environment, and those in Australia are no exception, notes an article published by ICSC Research.

• Global Millennial spending patterns vary
As the Millennials — those born roughly between 1980 and 2000 — grow older, they become increasingly important to retailers and retail landlords. But there are significant differences in their shopping preferences and habits, depending on which country and region they come from, and these patterns will diverge further, according to an ICSC study.

• For retailers, gift cards keep on giving
Gift cards remain the most popular gift of all, with 65 percent of U.S. adults having received them during the most recent holiday season, according to ICSC Research. Each of these cards was worth an average of $120.50.