Innovation drivers and trends in the retail industry: an application to emerging markets and the case of the Gulf region

Abstract

Due to the exponential effect of technological innovation that makes disruption the new norm, retailers across the world are on the lookout for novel initiatives to streamline their processes and reduce operating costs. Acknowledging that the face of retail is changing at an unprecedented rate, this paper seeks to uncover the innovation drivers and trends in the retail industry, with a particular emphasis on the Gulf region. Drawing upon a literature review of drivers, enablers, and global trends in retail innovation, we offer a compelling analysis of innovative endeavours pursued by retailers located in the Gulf Cooperation Council's member states. Our aim is to make two major contributions to extant knowledge in the field, through the development of a conceptual model of retailing innovation and the advancement of a multidimensional agenda for future comparative research. In the concluding section of our paper, we emphasise the increasing importance that innovation will play in the enhancement of customer experience and performance of retail organisations.