In an era where contemplations about the future permeate our conversations and narratives, retail and consumption are at a crossroads, grappling with the complex interplay of sustainability challenges and rapid technological advancements. In terms of sustainability issues, researchers in environmental sciences have demonstrated how we exceed the planetary boundaries. The consequences of climate change are becoming clearer with reports on heatwaves, droughts, and heavy rainfalls, which are increasing in intensity and frequency. In parallel, technological advancements are catalyzing a profound shift within retail and consumption. Developments such as the metaverse, generative AI (artificial intelligence), blockchains, and immersive technologies amplify this transformation. While research on sustainability and technology may appear to travel divergent paths, the special issue seeks to harmonize these future-making trajectories, cultivating a convergence of perspectives.
Building on the recently published book, The Future of Consumption (Bäckström, Egan-Wyer, and Samsioe 2023), special issue editors, Hossain Shahriar and Gabriella Wulff, aim to further the dialogue in this discourse by welcoming both previous contributors and new voices to the Special Issue on The Future of Retail and Consumption. The editors are particularly interested in papers that synthesize research areas on sustainability and technology, identifying common grounds and exploring ways they can complement each other to collaboratively propel consumer research and retail marketing forward. They encourage and advocate for research that can contribute to the collective for a genuinely progressive future in addressing pressing issues such as the environmental crisis. As researchers, they believe the present moment, more than ever, calls for collective action to lay the foundation for a sustainable future, striving towards vibrancy and resilience for the following generations.
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More information on the call and instructions for submission can be found on the journal's website: https://think.taylorandfrancis.com/special_issues/international-review-retail-distribution-consumer/