Technology has become central to shopping as COVID-19 has led people to seek out touch-free experiences. But how will augmented reality fit into the future retail landscape? How can it bridge the gap between e-commerce and brick-and-mortar to deliver convenience, safety, and a personal touch?

COVID-19 has led to an uplift in e-commerce, and customers are planning to keep much of their shopping online way beyond the pandemic’s end. Canvas8 spoke to brand expert Mark Pilkington, author of Retail Recovery, about the role bricks and mortar stores will play for consumers in the future.

After nearing total collapse in 2020, department store chain Macy’s has experienced a remarkable comeback, reporting sales that surpassed expectations in the second quarter of 2021. What’s behind the company’s sudden recovery, and what can be gleaned from adjusting to a new retail landscape?

With a recession looming and people tightening their budgets, it’s hard to see where malls fit in. Brookfield Properties, the real estate firm that owns many of America’s most popular malls, is hoping to save brick-and-mortar by cultivating ‘mini-cities’ that blend retail and residential space.