Conclusions

A central defining thesis has framed the content of this book; namely that the retail industry globally is in the early stages of a transformation which will be more profound and far-reaching than any which has gone before. This chapter summarizes the key themes explored in the book. It is suggested that, for many, the opportunities in the new landscape of retailing are likely to be greater than the challenges presented. It is also suggested that there is no single roadmap for achieving success in the new landscape. There are, however, building blocks that retail enterprises and their leaders will need to have if they are to be successful. The chapter identifies and discusses five: being truly customer centric; being digitally skilled; embracing innovation; emphasizing strong, clear company values and demonstrating effective leadership.