The retail sector will face a highly dynamic landscape in 2025, marked by more demanding consumers, technological advancements, and economic challenges. What will the 2025 marketing trends in retail be? The Colliers Winter Retail Report 2024 provides a list of insights to understand how marketing strategies will evolve and which changes will be essential to remain competitive.
Here are the main retail marketing trends for 2025, according to the Colliers report.
1. Automation and Technology
Investment in automation will drive operational efficiency in 2025. According to the Colliers report, 96.7% of retailers will prioritize warehouse automation, emphasizing its direct impact on cost reduction and improved response times.
- Omnichannel as a priority: Some 86.7% of companies believe integrating multiple sales channels is essential to attract more connected consumers.
- In-store automation: Fifty percent of retailers are already implementing self-checkouts and technologies like “Just Walk Out” to optimize the customer experience.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): Over 70% are investing in AI to personalize marketing strategies and manage inventory more accurately.
Technology will also redefine the customer experience. While the metaverse and augmented reality have lost relevance, others, such as self-service and autonomous delivery systems, are transforming logistics and customer service.
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2. Flexibility in Supply Chains
Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions have pushed companies to seek more agile solutions. In 2025, brands will focus on resilient systems that can quickly adapt to market changes, according to the report.
Key tools to achieve this include:
- Use of AI and machine learning: These technologies help predict disruptions before they impact operations.
- Localization of manufacturing: Many companies are relocating part of their operations to local markets to reduce response times and logistics costs.
- Sustainable efficiency: Optimizing supply chains focuses not only on costs but also on sustainable initiatives that appeal to conscious consumers.
Retailers are investing more than ever in logistics systems to meet the expectations of modern consumers, who prioritize speed and transparency.
3. Personalization and Customer Focus
In an environment where consumers seek unique experiences, personalization will be a key differentiator. According to the study on 2025 retail marketing trends, brands must design hyper-focused strategies to stand out in a saturated market.
The following tools stand out in this regard:
- Personalized shopping: Sixty percent of consumers believe personalized recommendations directly influence their purchase decisions.
- Loyalty strategies: Loyalty programs are evolving into more dynamic models, such as points redeemable for digital and physical experiences.
- Targeted promotions: Brands using AI to tailor discounts and specific offers have reported sales increases of up to 25%.
This trend not only improves customer satisfaction but also enhances retention, a crucial aspect in a competitive market.
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4. Retail Challenges: High Operating Costs and Regulatory Changes
The Colliers report warns that 2025 will not be without significant challenges. Among the most important are high operating costs and regulations affecting supply chains.
Regarding cost impact, the following stand out:
- Construction: Costs remain 30% to 40% higher than pre-pandemic levels, limiting physical expansions.
- Proposed tariffs: New tariffs could reduce consumers’ purchasing power by $46 billion to $78 billion annually.
- Labor: Immigration restrictions and an aging population are creating inflationary pressures in key sectors.
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5. Holiday Season and Key Events
The 2025 holiday season will be an important indicator of retail marketing trends. According to the report, sales are expected to increase by an average of 2.9%, driven by purchases in both physical and digital stores.
Seasonal data:
- Average spending: Consumers plan to spend an average of $706 on gifts, the highest level since 2018.
- Omnichannel participation: Ninety-two percent of consumers will combine physical and digital shopping.
- Most sought-after products: Food and beverages will lead sales with a 6% increase, driven by a preference for culinary experiences.
Balancing physical and digital experiences will be essential to capturing consumer attention during these dates.
