Holiday 2020—A distinctly different retail season

New research from Accenture suggests the US holiday season 2020 will be very different from past years. Retailers that combine operational agility and data analytics with social responsibility will be best placed to thrive during holiday and beyond.

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Holiday shopping survey 2020

A retail season like no other
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Let there be change

To support the new Accenture purpose, CEO Julie Sweet recently launched our brand campaign—Let there be change—an inspiration to our people and clients to embrace change for the benefit of all. We believe today’s rapid acceleration to digital presents us with an opportunity to create a better future, and our strategy is to embed responsible business into our services for our clients as well as to operate Accenture as a responsible business.

Global fashion retailer H&M is one of our clients that we are helping to continue its journey as a responsible business. 

H&M delivers fashion in a sustainable way, and is green even within IT. Its online ecommerce solution that is built and run by Accenture, was yesterday running H&M’s own data centers and already sourcing only green energy, and tomorrow will use wind power on Azure cloud. Thanks to cloud transformation features such as auto-scaling it will use even less energy—essentially, it’s a sustainable green cloud.

Adaptive retail is always in

Adaptive retail is the new imperative for retailers. With global disruption, external pressures and responsibilities, retailers need to be able to adapt—fast. Adapting means evolving, and evolution is how to stay resilient.

Retailers need to adapt across three elements:

Adapt to new expectations—these include expectations of what employees may need in a new normal, how investors may evaluate your business in the future, and how consumers are looking to interact.

Adapt to new ways of working—these include redefining talent to allow work to be done anywhere and supported by technology, viewing competitors as potential allies, and partnering with the technology ecosystem for meaningful shared value.

Adapt to new global climates—these include climates like social and political unrest, economic turns around the world, and environmental challenges that demand sincere investment.

Today's retail is never outright simple. Tomorrow’s retail is always in business.

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Seize the moment—Responsible and resilient retail

Rebuilding a sustainable retail business

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Capabilities

We can transform your business through technology, giving you a competitive advantage amid the disruption.

Retail Applied Intelligence

Put your most loyal customers at the center of your business—from the products you sell to the design of your supply chain.

Merchant Reimagined

The role 'retail merchant' is being reinvented through automation to provide predictive insights.

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Case studies

Intermarché harnesses data to deliver purpose

Intermarché harnesses data to deliver purpose

Grocer Intermarché, Microsoft and Accenture collaborated on an organization-wide data transformation.

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Alepa Block Wish: Your wish, our command

Alepa Block Wish: Your wish, our command

Grocer Alepa launches innovative chatbot Block Wish to increase customer choice and convenience.

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H&M Foundation: Creating fashion with purpose

H&M Foundation: Creating fashion with purpose

The H&M Foundation is accelerating sustainable fashion with the Global Change Award.

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What we think

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Meet the women transforming Retail

Accenture and Springboard Enterprises celebrate women disrupting Retail with groundbreaking technological innovations that will change the way consumers shop and interact with brands.

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News

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Jill Standish of Accenture: The future of retail in the post pandemic world

Authority Magazine interviews Jill Standish on rebuilding retail, strengthening sustainability practices and the importance of inclusion and diversity.

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Accenture and Best Buy collaborate to accelerate technology innovation

Best Buy Co. Inc. is teaming with Accenture to advance the retailer’s technology strategy and to add diverse talent to its digital and technology team.

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Most U.S. shoppers want retailers to close on thanksgiving day, Accenture survey reveals

As the retail industry gears up for peak trading, consumers are focusing on their own health and safety as well as the well-being of retail employees.

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