From the explosive growth of e-commerce to heightened pressure to meet consumer expectations of relaxed return policies to increased buyer remorse, the retail sector continues to remain volatile and unpredictable. As we’ve seen this year with the closure of BHS, even the largest retailers are not safe, whilst the fluctuating value of the pound following the EU referendum has put extra strain on the industry. Howard Rosenberg, CEO of B-Stock Solutions reveals his predictions for the retail sector in 2017.

1) E-commerce will take centre stage

One of the most noticeable trends from 2016 has been the continued growth of e-commerce, which is set to gather pace in 2017: online sales are expected to rise 15 per cent. This growth reflects how consumer attitudes to retail are shifting: consumers are moving away from the need to touch and try products on before they buy in favour of the convenience and autonomy of the 24/7 shopping experience.

Read Full Article >>

More from the B-Stock Blog

How Jim Rowe Filled a Shopping Desert—With Costco Returns
How Jim Rowe Filled a Shopping Desert—With Costco Returns

Jim Rowe has always been an entrepreneur. From 2002 onward, he and his wife built a sizable chain of restaurants across Washington with nine locations in total. Then COVID hit, and like so many others, everything stopped. Luckily, Jim’s not…

Jun 18 2026 · 9 min read

When Consumers Pull Back, Where Does Your Excess Inventory Go?
When Consumers Pull Back, Where Does Your Excess Inventory Go?

Sustained inflation has compressed consumer spending across categories, resulting in softened sell-through rates and climbing aged inventory ratios. For retailers, brands, and manufacturers, the downstream effects are distinct, but the core problem is the same: the excess inventory is there,…

Jun 17 2026 · 4 min read

Case Study: How an Athletic Retailer Standardized Its Disposition Program for Aged Inventory, Boosting Pricing and Efficiency
Case Study: How an Athletic Retailer Standardized Its Disposition Program for Aged Inventory, Boosting Pricing and Efficiency

This well-known athletic retailer had large volumes of aged overstock held at various distribution centers (DCs) around the country. A small group of jobbers purchased the inventory on informal terms, managed by each DC, leading to inconsistent processes and outcomes…

Jun 16 2026 · 1 min read

Like what you see?

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news from B-Stock.