Retail Roundup: March 2025 at a Glance

As global trade tensions and tariff hikes send ripples across the industry, retail brands are rethinking supply chains, renegotiating costs, and scouting for alternative sourcing strategies. With inflation biting into consumer wallets and cross-border commerce growing more complex, the real question is: How do retailers stay sharp in a shifting economy?

Beyond the major players like Target and Walmart , who are restructuring their import strategies, other brands are taking a different route by downsizing packaging, tweaking product components, and even pushing more consumer-assembled items to trim costs without raising prices.

But retail isn’t just about playing defense – it’s about evolution through challenges.

March saw a wave of pivotal moments shaping the 2025 retail landscape. From high-stakes collaborations to tech-powered innovation and ambitious market expansions, the industry is gearing up for its next chapter.

Collaboration might be the New Competition

Why battle for attention when teaming up delivers twice the impact?

Some of the biggest names in retail are embracing the power of partnerships, proving that the right collaboration doesn’t just generate hype – it reshapes brand narratives, expands market influence and taps into new cultural currents.

The first quarter of 2025 has been packed with viral brand pairings, and March delivered its own set of power duo moves. From unexpected fashion fusions to celebrity-backed market expansions, these collaborations created buzz and dominated the headlines.

Luxury meets utility in the latest LeSportsac x Roberto Cavalli drop, where the brand’s signature practicality gets a bold, maximalist twist with Cavalli’s high-fashion, iconic animal prints. The result is a nostalgic yet fresh collection that plays into fashion’s current obsession with statement-making accessories.

Similarly, Cecilie Bahnsen and The North Face delivered a fusion of couture-level craftsmanship and rugged outerwear, proving that romance and utility aren’t mutually exclusive forces but a formula for reinvention.

But it’s not just fashion playing the crossover game. Celebrity-backed brands too are strategically carving out their retail territory.

Millie Bobby Brown’s Florence By Mills Coffee brand just made its brick-and-mortar debut exclusively in select Walmart stores, launching ready-to-drink iced lattes in partnership with Collab Coffee. It’s yet another reminder that personal brands are evolving into full-fledged lifestyle ecosystems, offering consumers more ways to connect beyond their original categories.

With shoppers increasingly leaning into brands that seamlessly fit their routines- be it co-branded exclusives or lifestyle crossovers — the real competitive edge? Not standing apart, but teaming up smart!

Retailers’ Mixed Fortunes on Brick & Mortar: Closures, Expansions & Strategic Shifts

According to Coresight Research, U.S. store closures reached 7,325 in 2024, the highest since 2020, while 5,970 new stores opened, marking the biggest expansion since 2012. However, the gap is widening — 15,000 closures are projected for 2025, far exceeding the 5,800 new openings expected.

The retail shake-up continues.

Forever 21 filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy (again) on March 16, closing underperforming stores as it struggles against Shein and Temu.

Kohl's shut down 27 underperforming locations across 15 states in US.

Amazon Fresh pulled the plug on two stores in Virginia and California, refocusing its grocery model while ditching "Just Walk Out" tech.

However, while the store closures hit new highs, expansion & strategy hasn’t slowed down either.

Foot Locker is taking a hybrid approach—while closing several of its mall stores, it's set to refresh 300 locations and launch 80 new concept stores in 2025.

Macy's bid farewell to its Fulton Street Brooklyn store after nearly 30 years & planning to draw shutters on 65 more stores, as a part of its larger plan to close 150 locations by 2026, in an effort to “return the company to sustainable, profitable sales growth.”

The company also plans to open 15 new Bloomingdale’s stores and 30 Bluemercury cosmetics locations, but the department store giant is undeniably shrinking.

India Spotlight :

While U.S. retailers downsized, India saw an offline retail boom this March. Homegrown brands like Bewakoof, TechnoSport , and The Bear House ramped up their physical store expansions, signaling a strong demand for in-person shopping.

International brands also doubled down on India’s retail potential:

• Jacadi , a French luxury kidswear giant, debuts in Mumbai, banking on India’s 35% premium market growth.
• The LEGO Group's first-ever Certified Store in India is set to open in Gurugram, spanning 4,500 sq. ft.— the largest in South Asia offering an immersive experience through digital and physical elements.
• True Religion's new Delhi flagship kicks off its India expansion, with 10 more stores planned.
• Nestlé Nespresso made its entry in India with its first boutique in Delhi, bringing an immersive experience with expert-led tastings and sustainability-focused retail.

The Experiential Push: Stores that Captivated Shoppers in March

The transformation of retail shopping is undeniable - it’s no longer just about transactions but about immersion, community, and creating moments worth sharing. March saw brands pushing past traditional store formats, turning shopping into an event, destination and a lifestyle.

American Eagle Outfitters turned Nashville into its own branded universe with its Denim Deli pop-up. But this wasn’t just a store - it was a multi-sensory experience, featuring live music, jean customization bars, and Mitchell Deli's sandwiches that transformed the space into a social hub.

The goal? Tap into local culture, go beyond shopping & build communities!

Golden Goose dialed up the experience factor at its new flagship in New York’s Meatpacking District. Think of it as a retail-meets-atelier-meets-social-club. Customers can spin vinyl in a Music Room, sip coffee from an in-store cart, and personalize sneakers, bags, and clothing in a one-on-one Artisanal Lab.

Even digital-first brands are seeing the value of IRL.

Princess Polly (a.k.a. Brands), the cult-favorite Australian fashion label, announced a major U.S. push with seven new influencer-focused stores set to open this year. From selfie mirrors and colorful digital screens for instagrammable moments, to immersive in-store events – the stores are designed to translate its viral energy into real-life engagement.

Luxury retail is also doubling down on experience.

Printemps, the legendary French department store, made its NYC debut with an unexpected twist: five in-store restaurants, transforming shopping into a full-blown culinary affair. Because, why just shop when you can sip, dine, and indulge?

And it’s not just fashion brands making waves.

Clinikally, a digital-first dermatology platform & pharmacy based in India, just launched its first flagship experience center in Delhi, offering real-time dermatologist consultations, AI powered skin analysis and hyper-personalized skincare routines.

The focus? Turning retail into a wellness journey. Discover the brands steering this shift in our last edition!

Retail's AI Rollout : Who’s Leveraging Tech for the Next Leap?

For years, Indian fashion brands led the charge on tech adoption (RFID, AI, AR—you name it), while QSRs played it safe with digital menus & self-ordering kiosks. But not anymore.

Tech is cooking up a storm in the QSR space. Chinese Wok's latest move is an AR-powered dining experience turning every meal into a spectacle. Imagine CGI chefs whipping up your order, interactive storytelling woven into your dining experience, and digital overlays that elevate customer engagement.

QSRs going high-tech is proof that in a market overflowing with choices, tech-powered theatrics might just be the ultimate secret sauce.

Lowe's just rolled out MyLow, an AI-powered virtual home improvement assistant built with OpenAI. Designed as a part of a larger strategy to win back DIY business from consumers, it’s more than just a chatbot – it helps customers visualize renovations, troubleshoot DIY projects, and streamline purchases.

Currently available for MyLowe’s Rewards members on desktop and mobile, it’s setting the stage for AI-driven, hyper-personalized home improvement.

And retail's tech leap is not stopping there.

Unilever is taking AI beyond customer service, going all-in on digital twins to optimize content production across markets. The result? Real-time simulations, hyper-personalized marketing, and unprecedented efficiency in campaign rollouts—already slashing costs by up to 55% and cutting turnaround times by 65%.

You can now leverage audio analytics to remotely monitor store interactions with Storefox.ai. Send us a message to learn more.

Retail with a Mission

Stepping up, standing for something, and shaping culture – the biggest names in the industry are proving that impact-driven initiatives and sustainable innovation isn’t just an add-on; it’s the new standard.

Kay Beauty , co-founded by Bollywood star Katrina Kaif and Nykaa , is turning influence into action with Kreate with Kay Beauty – a game-changing initiative to uplift & empower the next generation of makeup artists. Partnering with the Daniel Bauer Hair & Makeup Academy, the program offers professional training, mentorship, and hands-on industry exposure, opening doors & creating real career pathways for aspiring beauty professionals.

As part of #Kare, the brand’s broader social impact initiative, this move signals a growing trend in beauty: brands stepping up to foster inclusivity and professional growth, proving that influence is most powerful when it paves the way for others.

Meanwhile, Starbucks is brewing kindness with its latest Peanuts collaboration for #GlobalmonthofGood, blending nostalgia with purpose. The limited-edition Starbucks x Peanuts merchandise collection – featuring Snoopy and friends, isn’t just about fandom merch. A portion of proceeds from every purchase will support educational programs for underprivileged children, making every purchase an act of generosity.

With an "act of kindness" theme, this collection reinforces Starbucks' global commitment to creating positive change.

Coffee, culture, and giving back—now that’s a powerful blend.

On the sustainability front, Unilever's recent acquisition of Wild, the UK’s leading refillable deodorant brand, marks a clear push toward eco-conscious personal care. As consumers increasingly shift away from single-use plastics in favor of refillable and waste-free alternatives, beauty conglomerates are tapping into the demand for greener, premium solutions.

Wild’s premium positioning, plant-formulated formulas and commitment to waste-free approach aligns with Unilever’s Growth Action Plan 2030, reinforcing its commitment to scaling high-growth and environmentally responsible brands.

Power Moves in Leadership

After nearly three decades at the helm, Donatella Versace is stepping down as Creative Director of Versace, marking the end of an era for the iconic fashion house. With the brand now under Dario Vitale, the former design and image director of Italian brand Miu Miu , all eyes are on what’s next.

REI has named retail veteran Kristin Shane as its new Chief Merchandising Officer. With her expertise from Target , PetSmart & The Guitar Center Company, she’s set to lead sustainable business growth and a differentiated experience for the outdoor retailer’s evolving strategy.

Meanwhile, David's Bridal is aiming to be a retail, digital-first and media powerhouse with its latest leadership pick. Kelly Cook, who was previously the president for brand, tech & finance, took over as CEO with plans to transform the brand with AI-powered personalization, online bridal marketplace and an asset-light model, signaling a new era for the wedding retail giant.

Decoding Retail: Your Insider Glossary

'Shrinkflation'

A hidden form of inflation, this is a strategy where retailers reduce the size, quantity, or quality of a product while maintaining or even slightly increasing its price, effectively raising the cost per unit without drawing immediate consumer attention.