It’s that season again, when we all try to figure out what the biggest trends of the next year will be, so we can look back in December and say “I told you so” to everyone we know. Here at the intersection of retail and tech, that means predictions about Web3 and virtual worlds.

So, is 2023 the year one platform rises above the rest as the best “metaverse”? Is it the year Apple finally releases its much anticipated AR/VR headset? Is it the year Retail Brew readers surprise us with their EOY thoughts on Web3? (Yes, I’m looking at the 49.9% of you who said you thought it was overhyped in 2022. Here’s me hoping you join my dad in reading my stories anyway…)

We’ll have to wait another 12 months for the next reader poll, but in the meantime, we asked a range of experts to tell us which way the digital winds will blow in 2023.

Metaverse maneuvering

There’s an important distinction between Web3 and the metaverse: Some virtual worlds are built on the blockchain and are considered Web3 metaverses, but not all virtual worlds are built with Web3 technology. And Web2 gaming platforms like Roblox, which isn’t built on the blockchain, are likely to hang onto their popularity with brands in 2023, said Conor McNamara, marketing manager at metaverse-focused SaaS company GEEIQ.

“It’s those traditional gaming environments that are really where brands are investing time and money into at the moment,” McNamara explained. “And that’s obviously because [there is] a huge audience in those spaces already.”

Keep reading here.—MA

It’s that time of year when all industries everywhere dust off the ol’ crystal ball and try to see into the future.

We at Retail Brew…are not fortune tellers or soothsayers. Nor even really prognosticators. What we are are observers, and we’ve been paying close attention to what’s being said about the year ahead in retail. So, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite forecasts, outlooks, and predictions we’ve come across over the past few weeks.

Fashion: The state of fashion in 2023 is…uncertain, at best. Is a full-blown global slowdown coming though? Here are 10 industry agenda-setting themes to keep an eye on this year. (The Business of Fashion)

Meanwhile, fashion will continue its embrace of the 2000s, while pearls experience a revival (of sorts) in the age of “dopamine dressing.” (Fashionista)

• Plus, how the CEOs of luxury brands plan to navigate the uncertainty amid ever-increasing competition. (Vogue Business)
• Six trends to keep an eye on in menswear. (Stylecaster)
• And five sneaker styles we might be seeing a lot of this year. (The Zoe Report)

Tech/Web3: Digital twins, avatars, and social commerce will all feature prominently in 2023. (Forbes)

The era of “cool” when it comes to NFTs will take a backseat to their use in loyalty programs, with an emphasis on functionality over mere hype. (Forrester)

The metaverse will be about fashion, and consumers will reward the brands that lean into gaming platforms and the metaverse. (A16z)

• Meanwhile, business uses of Web3 will gain prominence over games, and companies will need to make new types of hires. (PwC)
• And, is 2023 the year the practical use of NFTs finally becomes apparent? (The Recursive)

Food and beverage: Applying lessons from past recessions and leading on sustainability (not waiting for consumers to get onboard) are among the trends to watch among food and bev companies. (Mintel)

Keep reading here.—EW

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Chris Hammond’s very first job was at Medieval Times (more on that below), but more recently, his retail resume has included roles across Kohl’s, Gap, and retail and CPG advisor The Parker Avery Group. Now, he’s a client partner in retail technology at business consulting firm Slalom.

How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? I am laser-focused on outcomes and making our client’s goals my goals, then finding awesome ways to achieve them.

One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? That there is no degree, background, or certification that precedes success. What is meaningful is creativity, true empathy, and a fierce passion for helping others.

What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? I was able to support one of the largest fashion retailers in their segment undergoing a massive multi-brand transformation, updating numerous technologies and processes which touched all areas of their business and customer experience. Seeing impact across the company, across channels, inspired teams, and meaningfully better shopper experiences was something I won’t soon forget.

Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? Cloud transformation. I remember when omnichannel was a new word and new concept. Now that so many companies understand the importance of seamless customer journeys and the data that drive them (looking at you, supply chains), providing a modern backbone to unlock all the capabilities, data, analytics, and ultimately customer impact is amazing.

What’s your go-to coffee order? Soy milk cappuccino.

Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Your Great Dane will just pick up house training from the other dog; don’t worry about it.”

What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? I had just started my first job (in costume and accent at Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament), so my favorite item had to be my New Balance sneakers, always the same pair: in black, replaced each time they were poked with a lance or sword. Now, it’s got to be my iPhone. How else could I capture the daily antics of two Great Danes and a family?

Today’s top retail reads.

15 minutes of fame: Rapid delivery startups had a chaotic year, and former employees of now-defunct startups, like Fridge No More and Buyk, shared their experiences. (Modern Retail)

What’s in store: As consumers look to save $$, discount stores like Dollar General and Family Dollar had more new stores than any other retailer last year. (Business Insider)

Pet project: Chewy is taking a bite out of the new year with a new focus on automated fulfillment centers. (the Wall Street Journal)

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

• Instacart, Klarna lead thin IPO market heading into the New Year
• Three takeaways from the food & bev world in 2022
• Retail Word of the Year: Shrinkflation