We’ve sent upwards of 250 newsletters this year and published somewhere in the neighborhood of 900 stories. Below is a (roughly) chronological look at the year in retail through the lens of our own reporting.

We’re starting with Q1, when we projected the year ahead, delved into labor issues, and looked at retail around the world.

January

Our theme of the month: The year ahead

We took a broad look at the trends we expected to play a key role in 2022. Plus, it was when NRF’s Big Show, which often sets the stage for what’s to come, took place.

Grabbing the headlines:

• Will the e-commerce spin-off trend continue in 2022?
• What retailers will focus on in 2022
• How men’s beauty brands plan to take off in 2022
• The future of alt-meat: cleaner ingredients, whole-cuts, and a lot more competition

Your favorite:

• Smell that? Scents are a key part of a store’s identity, even in Covid

Well worth the read:

• Retail Brew’s Erin Cabrey took a deep dive into non-alcoholic (NA) beverage brands’ efforts to make a buzz in stores. (Non-alcoholic beverages seek a new frontier this year: retail doors)

Words of wisdom:

• “Gen Z is powering a lot of the energy to the metaverse and it’s important for brands to have a presence there.”—Meagan Loyst, Lerer Hippeau, Gen Z VCs (Why NRF is taking the Metaverse very seriously)

February

Our theme of the month: Workforce watch

From automation to unionization, the retail workforce is changing faster than ever, and we were there to break down the industry’s biggest labor trends.

March

Our theme of the month: Retail beyond the US

Retail Brew’s primary focus is firmly on American retailers, but there are, of course, markets and companies beyond our borders that are reshaping the industry. In March, we started scratching that surface.

Keep reading here.—EW

If the holiday editions of Retail Brew are a yearbook, you’ve made it to (arguably) the best section. We’re taking a look back at some of retail’s biggest stories of the year using a format—Awards? Accolades? Honors? Nods? Take your pick—that’s certain to make some people jealous (or, in some cases, maybe glad they didn’t make the list).

Best new store design: Taco Bell

This year, Taco Bell followed through on its commitment to the drive-thru experience with the debut of its new two-story, four-lane drive-thru concept, which opened in Minnesota. Taco Bell Defy is designed to take on more mobile orders and delivery drivers in just two minutes or less. The four drive-thru lanes are larger than a standard restaurant, and food is delivered through a lift system down to waiting hungry customers. It truly was a milestone this year in the fast food store-design landscape.

Best incidental viral marketing campaign: West Elm

Yeah, remember that happened? In January, a series of TikToks from 20-something New York women about dating the same man, “West Elm Caleb,” began going viral. The man in question just happened to be a West Elm employee, and the story caught so much fire that other brands even hopped on the train in an attempt to boost their own brands, which was not well received by the public. Hellmann’s, City Furniture, and Truly Hard Seltzer were just a handful of brands to get in on the action.

Most reliable retailer: Dollar General

In a year that was heavily underscored by inflation’s effects, Dollar General (and dollar stores, generally?) were reliable bets for price-conscious consumers. As we covered, Dollar General was a big boon during the Great Recession of 2008, and a lot of the economic headwinds were similar in 2022. Dollar General followed through on plans to open a number of new storefronts, not only in rural America—where the chain thrives—but also in the suburbs, with its new DG Market + Popshelf concept.

Keep reading here.—KM

Rounding up some of the best retail reads of the year in fashion and luxury.

Tread carefully: When Balenciaga’s two fashion campaigns got slammed for accusations of condoning child abuse, the once-iconic brand became the hotbed of controversy, inviting criticism from everyone, including celebrities, activists, and politicians. (the New York Times)

It’s all about the money: While metaverse and NFTs dominated the fashion discourse in 2022, digital fashion startups were raking in millions in funding as investors bet on blockchain’s potential to disrupt the industry. (Vogue Business)

Fake it till you make it: As the internet made access to counterfeit luxury easier, younger consumers warmed up to the idea of fake Prada loafers or a faux Louis Vuitton purse much more than ever. (Business of Fashion)

More than meets the eye: 2022 was the year of Buy Now, Pay Later as almost every retailer offered the option of paying off that expensive coat (or any large purchase) in interest-free installments. But the popular payment method also raised consumer debt concerns as younger shoppers made purchases they couldn’t always afford. (Vox)

Old habits: With Covid restrictions in the West becoming a thing of the past, several companies ramped up their return-to-office push and, with consumers increasingly shopping for workwear this year, it seemed like going to the office was back in fashion. (Glossy)

We also rounded up some of our favorite retail-related stories of the year from our sibling Brews.

Chain reaction: Global supply-chain issues accelerated Nike’s pivot away from the retail wholesale model in favor of a more direct-to-consumer approach, and its investment in digital-first technology has given it even more of a competitive edge. (CFO Brew)

Sound’s good: Panera incorporated audio in its brand refresh, making it “not only look more vibrant, but sound more vibrant, too,” while joining the likes of Tostitos in considering its sonic identity. (Marketing Brew)

Dangerous game: Costco, ShopRite, Albertsons, Whole Foods, and other retailers discuss their policies regarding workplace violence and safety training for employees in what has become a dangerous job. (HR Brew)

Meat and greet: Vow Food, an Australia-based cultured meat startup, used animal cells from ~22 species in an effort to bioengineer brand new types of meat. (Emerging Tech Brew)

Catch up on the Retail Brew stories you may have missed this year.

• What retail gets right—and wrong—about Gen Z, according to a Gen Z investor
• Here’s where experts say the next warehouse hotspots will be
• How Miss A has made $1 beauty a multimillion-dollar biz, even amid inflation