“There’s going to be a new sheriff in town, and this sheriff loves tariffs,” said Steve Lamar, President and CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). “It’s what a lot of people in the industry have been modeling for, bracing for or planning around for some time now.”

With the European Union’s (EU) introduction of Digital Product Passports (DPPs), apparel manufacturers may find themselves sighing in frustration over what could be viewed as the latest bureaucratic box to check. After all, DPPs will be introduced to help businesses meet strict policies and regulations set by the EU with the goal of accomplishing net zero emissions by 2050. 

Original publishing date: December 14, 2021

Republished date: November 12, 2024

Conventional thinking says brand-building is led by advertising, marketing, and visual presentation. But we know that consumers have a host of expectations that live beyond those characteristics. That means the days of leaving brand perception to your marketing department are over.

In a pre-pandemic world, QR codes were long forgotten. After nearly vanishing into obscurity, the QR code is back — and not just on restaurant tables. QR codes are making waves in the retail space, providing opportunities to learn about brands, find coupons, and make payments. 

It’s not news that the retail landscape is now driven by the digital-savvy who seemingly have limitless shopping and buying opportunities at their fingertips. The way they discover, find and receive products has been evolving at a rapid pace in the last decade. 

As consumer behaviors have changed, retailers are left to make the decision: will they change their processes and swim, or keep things as they are and face sinking in 2025 markets? Here are the three major consumer behavior shifts that have happened — and how brands can respond.