Larger Retailers Are Launching Their Own Beauty Brands, While the Luxury Fashion Market Gap Widens
With another year of volatility across the fashion, luxury, beauty and retail industries and a continuously spend-cautious consumer, Listrak has released its 2026 Beauty and Fashion Benchmarks report with predictions of what’s to come in the year ahead. The data from the report is based on 130 billion emails and SMS/MMS messages sent from 1,000 of its e-commerce clients between January and December 2025. The report’s data and its analysis were conducted by Listrak Intelligence, using AI-powered insights with industry-specific expert analysis. Listrak’s four major predictions for 2026 are: Artificial intelligence is reshaping e-commerce. The report’s authors foresee brands making sure their websites will include AI agents, have question-based content and will integrate directly into their platforms and allow for API based purchases. This gives way to conversational commerce and consumers purchasing without ever looking at a retailer’s website. The end of free shipping and free returns. With margins shrinking due to tariffs and 16 percent of retailers’ sales returned in 2025, the era of free shipping and returns could be over. With brands no longer able to give these benefits away for free, they will start offering these to paying and loyal consumers. Human connection matters more than ever. As AI automation continuesFollow WWD on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
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