How Traditional Retailers Can Adapt Their Supply Chain to Suit the New E-Commerce Environment
Many companies experienced significant supply chain disruption this year as a result of pandemic restrictions impacting different regions at different times. Production has resumed in multiple areas and supply chains are running again — but some footwear companies are still seeing reduced capability, particularly if they are new to operating e-commerce.

Previously, traditional retailers may have created a fully functioning supply chain that was suited to their existing sales channels, but the growing role of e-commerce has changed the game. Keeping track of inventory and forecasting sales across channels have become more complicated as consumers are buying online more than ever. Yet they expect the same standard of service wherever they shop, making it critical that retailers adapt quickly.

FDRA's National Shoe Sales Reports 
US Shoe Store Retail Update
Starting from a broader perspective, after a disastrous spring, overall retail demand finally rebounded modestly in June as stores began to re-open and retailers and shoppers alike adjusted to the new retail environment. Retail sales rose 1.1% year-over-year in the latest month, following three straight months of decline. The US Census Bureau is reporting sharp sales declines at restaurants and bars (down -26.3%), clothing & clothing accessory stores (off -23.2%) and gasoline stations (-19.1%) that weighed on June overall retail sales. 
Canadian Shoe Store Retail Update
Starting from a broader perspective, overall retail demand contracted sharply again in May, retrenching a seasonally-adjusted year-over-year -18.4% in this latest month, the second-sharpest drop on record behind the April tumble. Eleven of Canada's thirteen provinces and territories posted steep declines in retail demand from twelve months ago, with several seeing the biggest contractions on record. And nine of Canada's eleven main retail sectors--often sellers of 'non-essential' goods--also saw declines. 
Shoe Store Employment Bounces in June & Faces a Double-Edged Reckoning

After tumbling to a multi-decade low this spring, beleaguered US shoe store employment saw an uptick in June in concert with the broader retail labor market, but signs suggest many of those still-displaced jobs may never return to the shoe floor. Recently the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported its latest read on America's labor market, indicating nonfarm payroll employment added roughly 1.8 million workers from June to July.  

Womenswear Weighs on June Footwear Prices; Full-Year Price Prospects Dim

Dull demand for footwear stemming from the coronavirus continues to weigh on prices, with women’s footwear prices falling in June at the fastest rate on record. Recently the federal government reported its latest read on US consumer prices, including retail prices for footwear. After stretching to a record in February, footwear prices tumbled a year-over-year -4.4% in June—second only to May as the steepest decline since 1952—to a seasonally-adjusted 130.1 (1982-84=100), the second-lowest level in eight years.  

Gen Z, millennials drive growth in mobile video during pandemic, Snap study says
Mobile devices are driving a significant shift in video viewing habits, especially among the Gen Z and millennial groups that many brands seek to reach with advertising.

Snap's study indicates that younger consumers are more comfortable with shorter videos, confirming other research indicating that Gen Z prefers bite-size content they can consume throughout the day.

The coronavirus pandemic is driving a surge in mobile video consumption that may herald a permanent shift in how mobile marketers reach younger audiences, Snap's study suggests.
Location, Location, Location? How COVID-19 Could Shift Retail Destination Hot Spots
It’s an age-old mantra for retailers: “Location, location, location.”

But with COVID-19 upending life as we know it retailers with so-called “prime” retail locations may be feeling cheated.

“Businesses with a presence in high-rent, prime retail locations are feeling the pressure as tourism is currently on hold and travel restrictions in effect,” Edited market analyst Kayla Marci explained, adding that there’s “no indication” of when foot traffic will return to pre-coronavirus levels on a consistent basis.

Months-long stay-in-place orders caused steep declines in travel throughout the spring, and despite stores reopening, virus-worried consumers are still leery to travel — particularly as cases spike in Southern states.