The regional economic and retail outlook has profoundly changed over the last three years. Following years of decline and hardship, the economic situation and retail landscape have stabilized in parts of the region but continue to be difficult in others. In this context of uneven growth, ecommerce is rising pushed by a new generation of millennial consumers and many stores are no longer profitable. How did the last 12 months fare in the industry? What will the next year look like?
