Perspectives
Global Powers of Retailing 2016
Navigating the new digital divide
This year's report focuses on the theme of "navigating the new digital divide," and considers the impact technology is having on in-store shopping and retail industry business strategies.
The 19th annual Global Powers of Retailing identifies the 250 largest retailers around the world based on publicly available data for fiscal 2014 (encompassing companies' fiscal years ended through June 2015), and analyzes their performance based on geographic region, product sector, e-commerce activity, and other factors. It also provides a look at the world's 50 biggest e-retailers.
Global Powers of Retailing 2016: Navigating the New Digital Divide is much more than a list, however. Ira Kalish, Deloitte's Chief Global Economist, provides an overview of the global economy and how it will impact the retail sector. There is a section devoted to the "Q Ratio," which is a way of measuring non-tangible business assets such as brand equity and customer loyalty.
In addition, the report considers the impact technology has on in-store shopping. Recent studies by Deloitte show that we are rapidly heading toward a day where nearly all shoppers will be connected to the Internet nearly all of the time. Digital behaviors and expectations of consumers are evolving faster than retailers are delivering on those expectations, creating a "digital divide." Deloitte has identified three important trends in this area:
- No single path toward digital adoption. While all markets are moving in the same direction, some are taking somewhat different routes to get there. Some emerging markets, for example, are entirely skipping adoption stages previously experienced by established markets.
- One digital "size" does not fit all customers. Digital behavior varies depending on personal factors, for example age, income, and product type being sought.
- Consumers are demanding better digital tools. Digital tools and channels can both extend a retailer's reach and increase revenue, but customers are currently feeling unsatisfied and underserved.
Global Powers of Retailing 2015: Embracing Innovation
The 18th annual Global Powers of Retailing identifies the 250 largest retailers around the world, and analyzes their performance based on geographic region, product sector, e-commerce activity, and other factors. It also provides a look at the world's 50 biggest e-retailers. In addition, the report considers strategies retailers are taking to cope with disruptive change in the industry, provides an overview of the global economy and how it will impact the retail sector, and discusses "Q Ratio" which is a way of measuring non-tangible business assets.
Global Powers of Retailing 2014: Retail Beyond begins
The 17th annual Global Powers of Retailing report identifies the 250 largest retailers, examines trends for retailers to consider as they plan their growth strategies, provides a global economic outlook, and discusses "Q" ratio. This edition also includes a section on “Retail Beyond,” which takes a provocative look at how existing technologies could conceivably converge and further transform the already complex relationship between retailers and consumers. In addition, the 2014 report marks the first appearance of the Top 50 E-retailers list.
Global Powers of Retailing 2013: Retail beyond
The 16th annual Global Powers of Retailing report identifies the 250 largest retailers, provides a global economic outlook, and discusses "Q" ratio. It also includes a section on "The Future of Retail," which examines the industry impact as consumers seek an integrated shopping experience across channels – and in some cases across geographies – causing some retailers to be put to the test.