Sublime

* RaaS: Offering resale-as-a-service for brands like Everlane and Madewell. They helps merchants monetize returns. As e-commerce grows, so will this channel.

Many brands that typically have large stores, including Sephora and Nordstrom, are creating smaller-format stores embedded in neighborhoods. These stores feature less inventory, since customers can order items to be delivered to their homes, and store managers curate the products available on shelves to meet the needs of the specific community.

While New Retail claims to give customer data, the scale is nearly not as compelling as traditional retail. Product feedback is good, but there is a selection bias. The SoHo crowd cannot make a brand succeed, but they may give one its start. Middle America is where D2C brands have to go to grow (that is, if they want to be big). New Retail does not... See more