As a retailer, you probably know better than anybody just how competitive this industry can be at times. With that in mind, there are a number of key trends that you should keep an eye on in 2020. Here’s what we think: 

Sustainability will be key
More and more people are choosing to adopt environmentally-friendly lifestyles, either by changing their diets or reducing their carbon footprint in other areas. The same can be said for small business owners. Expect more pressure from consumers to ‘go green’ - it might not be a bad thing! Joining in with the trend, by changing your packaging for example, could actually help to win over more new customers.

E-commerce will continue to grow
If you aren’t already using an online shop to sell your products then you should seriously consider doing so. E-commerce is expected to grow rapidly over the next few years, partly due to the fact that is just so quick and simple for consumers to find and buy what they need. 

Of course, a lot of consumers do still prefer to shop at a brick and mortar store, but that doesn’t mean you can neglect the online world. Some retailers have even moved from a physical storefront to focus on online sales only!

Online reviews will be even more important
We’re hearing that more and more consumers actively look for a company’s reviews online before deciding whether or not to buy from them. In many cases, these reviews are seen as more important than the price of the product in question.

Consumers feel more comfortable parting with their money if they know that other shoppers have had a good experience with you, so make sure that you ask for feedback wherever possible and always provide a top-class service!

Social media marketing on the up
An increasing number of retail business owners are starting to see the potential benefits that platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter can provide. Social media is a cheap way to advertise your products and services to potential customers, so it’s worth taking the time to set up a profile.