MIT Sloan Management Review Article on The Retail Profitability Paradox

When we think about the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on how people shop — and on how retailers cater to their needs — it’s important to recognize that consumer preferences to “buy online, pick up in store” and to take advantage of other digitally enabled solutions are not simply short-term shifts. In fact, the current period is more likely a tipping point in the digitization of retail and in the shifting power dynamics between buyer and seller.

About the Author

Rodney R. Sides is the global leader of Deloitte Insights, is vice chairman of Deloitte LLP, and leads the retail, wholesale, and distribution practice in the United States. Sides has more than 30 years of experience assisting retailers with their strategies to improve operational efficiency and increase profitability. His experience spans store operations, supply chain, procurement, back-office operations, and IT.

Lupine Skelly is the research leader for the Retail, Wholesale, & Distribution sector within Deloitte Services LP’s Consumer Industry Center. Skelly has more than 15 years of consumer market research experience uncovering actionable insights around emerging trends across the retail industry.

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