search
Glossy Logo
Glossy Logo
Subscribe Login
  • Glossy+ Member Subscribe Now
  • Glossy+ homepage
  • My account
  • FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Log out

Offer extended: Get a year of Glossy+ for 35% less. Ends May 30.

  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Glossy+
  • Podcasts
  • Events
  • Awards
  • Pop
search
Glossy Logo

Offer extended: Get a year of Glossy+ for 35% less. Ends May 30.

Subscribe Login
  • Glossy+ Member Subscribe Now
  • Glossy+ homepage
  • My account
  • FAQ
  • Newsletters
  • Log out
  • Beauty
  • Fashion
  • Pop
  • Glossy+
  • Events
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletters
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • instagram
  • email
  • email
Member Exclusive

Glossy+ Research: Brand and retailer holiday outlooks are tinged with economic anxiety

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
By Cale Guthrie Weissman
Dec 28, 2022
holiday window displays

Holiday shopping has pretty much come to close, and it was punctuated by growing insecurities.

With inflation rising and the threat of a recession on the horizon, many brands and retailers have been unsure how this fourth quarter would stack up compared to years past. And a recent Glossy and Modern Retail survey shed light on these fears.

According to a group of brand and retailer leaders we surveyed, one-quarter of respondents believed their holiday revenue would drop this year compared to last. While the majority (61%) thought the holiday revenue would increase, most in that camp (39% of all the respondents) believed seasonal sales would only go up “slightly.”

It’s a distinct shift from years past when most sales were going up amid a thriving U.S. economy. Now, myriad elements are giving retailers pause and making them rethink the playbooks of old.

One big change this year is the rising amount of inventory major retailers still have. Earlier this year, brands like Levi’s, American Eagle and Gap all had high levels of inventory, with levels up 43%, 36% and 37% respectively. Even major retailers are feeling the inventory heat; Target at its most recent earnings said it had $17.1 billion worth of excess inventory, up from $15 billion the year prior.

This has led many companies to increase discounts in an attempt to offload products. But some retailers have been wary about upping discounts, given rising prices. The Glossy and Modern Retail survey reflected this strategic uncertainty. One-quarter of respondents said they had somewhat steeper discounts last year compared to this year. Meanwhile, 22% said this year they were posting bigger discounts. And over half said the promotions were about the same.

The results give a sense for the uncharted territory retailers and brands are facing. Consumer demand is unclear and a recession may be on the horizon, but many brands are still trying to figure out the way to keep business as profitable as possible. As such, business decisions — as shown in these results — are more conservative and tinged with anxiety for the future.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
Related reads
  • Member Exclusive
    Luxury Briefing: How a bridal brand is leveraging in-store try-on to drive social media engagement
  • Member Exclusive
    Brands share uncertainty and possible solutions at Glossy’s Tariffs Town Hall
  • Fashion
    FP Movement and Lacoste team up for a tenniscore summer
Latest Stories
  • Member Exclusive
    Luxury Briefing: How a bridal brand is leveraging in-store try-on to drive social media engagement
  • Member Exclusive
    Brands share uncertainty and possible solutions at Glossy’s Tariffs Town Hall
  • The Culture Effect
    The ‘tomato girl’ trickle down: How tomato fragrances reached critical mass
logo

Get news and analysis about fashion, beauty and culture delivered to your inbox every morning.

Reach Out
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • Email
About Us
  • About Us
  • Masthead
  • Advertise with us
  • Digiday Media
  • Custom
  • FAQ
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
©2025 Digiday Media. All rights reserved.