Infographic: Retailers adopt a cautious outlook

If uncertainty reigned when Retail Week published this report in January last year, then the way the rest of 2017 played out has left the 25 retail leaders we interviewed with yet more unanswered questions for the year ahead.

Despite concern, retailers that are adapting to the trading climate through investment and innovation will be able to weather the storm.

While just 18% of respondents claimed they had reached omnichannel status 12 months ago, this year the figure leaps to 47% – while 20% of retail leaders think they are close to reaching that point.

Conversely, international expansion has dropped down the priority list, with only 28% of retailers focused on this area. Last year, this figure was 56%.