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The Best of BoF 2017 | Opinion

To round off the year, we revisit the articles that sparked the most debate, yielded the biggest insights, and got the fashion industry talking in 2017. Today, we highlight some of the top Opinion stories.
An abandoned shopping mall in the US | Source: Shutterstock
By
  • BoF Team

1. To Save Retail, Let It Die

An abandoned shopping mall in the US | Source: Shutterstock An abandoned shopping mall in the US | Source: Shutterstock

An abandoned shopping mall in the US | Source: Shutterstock

The store of the future will become the most powerful media channel available to a brand, offering customer experiences that are the most profitable product a retailer can sell. But to get there, retail as we know it must die.

2. The Newness Imperative: Innovate or Fade

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Louis Vuitton x Supreme Menswear Autumn 2017 | Source: Louis Vuitton Louis Vuitton x Supreme Menswear Autumn 2017 | Source: Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton x Supreme Menswear Autumn 2017 | Source: Louis Vuitton

With fewer ‘virgin’ markets left to tap, established consumers now drive luxury demand — and they want something new — with significant consequences for creative strategy, says Luca Solca.

3. Fashion’s Culture of Lechery

Abercrombie & Fitch Spring/Summer 2012 campaign shot by Bruce Weber | Source: Abercrombie Abercrombie & Fitch Spring/Summer 2012 campaign shot by Bruce Weber | Source: Abercrombie

Abercrombie & Fitch Spring/Summer 2012 campaign shot by Bruce Weber | Source: Abercrombie

Bruce Weber’s alleged sexual harassment of the model Jason Boyce is the latest sign of a culture that encourages and capitalises on mass predation, argues Chris Wallace.

4. A New Era of Retail Is Coming

Crowds at a shopping mall | Source: Shutterstock Crowds at a shopping mall | Source: Shutterstock

Crowds at a shopping mall | Source: Shutterstock

Toxic mass merchants are making brands commoditised hostages in a high-speed chase to the bottom. But a new class of experiential retailers is rising.

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5. The Cost of Dead Inventory: Retail’s Dirty Little Secret

Source: Shutterstock Source: Shutterstock

Source: Shutterstock

Among the many problems facing today's retail market, unsold stock might be one of its biggest handicaps, argues Haley Smith Recer.

For more articles like this, check out our Opinion channel.

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