2025 is officially underway, and various industries are positioned to see significant changes driven by economic shifts, regulations, and evolving consumer behaviors.

Rather than relying on a Magic 8 ball for answers, let’s explore what trends to watch over the next calendar month for businesses in key sectors looking to navigate the upcoming landscape effectively. 

Retail trends

Eclipsing global clothing sales

Slowing inflation across many national economies will help global retail sales grow by over 2% in 2025, the fastest growth since 2021. The projected value of clothing sales globally crosses the $1trn mark for the first time while being up by 37% from 2020. The healthy growth trajectory could see the global apparel market reach $2.97trn by 2033.

Behind the numbers, regulation and shifting consumer behavior are shaping the retail industry. 

The regulatory crackdown on fast fashion

French lawmakers are on a mission to ban the advertising of fast fashion in an attempt to curb carbon emissions. The textile industry’s impact on the environment is well known. However, passing this bill will change the fashion industry. The new law will add extra fees for cheap items. These fees will start at €5 in 2025 and will increase to €10 by 2030.

A shift toward second-hand apparel

Regulatory crackdowns are giving rise to a circular fashion ecosystem. Young consumers, conscious of the environmental impact of fast fashion and dealing with higher costs, are driving the second-hand clothing market. 

The numbers show that going greener is shaping the resale market. Resale platform, ThredUp, shared an annual report that expects the global resale market to reach $350B by 2028 at a CAGR of 12%. In the same report, ThredUp says 10% of the global apparel market is expected to be made up of secondhand. 

Brick-and-mortar revival through location data

Despite high interest rates and mounting credit card debts that have challenged brick-and-mortar and online retailers, conscious spending patterns are sparking hope for physical stores. Younger consumers, driven by sustainability and affordability, are anticipated to increase foot traffic to second-hand stores.

To capitalize on this trend, Echo's location data is ideally suited to optimize the following areas:

• Analyzing consumer behavior.
• Optimizing store locations.
• Conducting competitor analysis.

These strategies can bolster a retailers market presence and adapt to shifting consumer expectations in a rapidly changing landscape.

With global clothing sales rising and consumer preferences evolving, the retail industry stands at a critical juncture of growth and transformation.

Consultancy trends

Impact of falling interest rates

Declining interest rates are expected to revitalize property markets this year, making real estate investments more attractive. There’s a projected uptick in office leasing with employers encouraging a return to the office and insisting on hybrid working arrangements. 

Finding a prime location won’t be easy with an increasing demand for office space. Consultancy firms have the opportunity to utilize Echo's location data and advise clients on perfect office locations, considering factors like accessibility and employee convenience for site selection.

This combination of renewed demand and data-driven insights positions consultancy firms as essential partners for site selection and navigating the competitive real estate landscape in 2025.

Advertising trends (AdTech) 

The deceleration in global ad spending

The headline AdTech trend is that advertisers will have a less exciting year than in 2024. Without the Olympics, Euros Football, or U.S. elections, global ad spending is expected to slow by 4%.

Without major cyclical events, the advertising industry's growth will be driven by organic factors such as media innovation. Therefore, targeting ideal customers becomes ever more crucial. Echo's location-driven insights provides a unique advantage for building resonating campaigns and connecting with audiences. 

By enhancing location-based engagement, advertisers can maximize the effectiveness of their campaigns despite reduced spending.

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Supply chain management challenges

While fast-moving is the name of the game, current challenges in shipping and logistics might slow FMCG supply chains. 

Several logistical challenges in 2025 could disrupt the supply chain flows of FMCGs if they don’t adapt accordingly:

Disruptions in Maritime Traffic: Potential blockades in critical channels like the Suez Canal could impede shipping routes. Shipping companies would need to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, lengthening journeys at increased costs. 

EU Emissions Regulations: Stricter environmental policies may affect transportation methods and costs. From 2025, shippers will have to pay to pollute due to the EU’s emissions-trading system in place. 

EU Tariff Changes: Air cargo carriers will be feeling the weight of EU regulators' efforts to clamp down on tariff-free trade of low-value goods. This is set to alter cross-border imports and exports generated by e-commerce.

Trucking Industry Staff Shortages: Labor shortages in trucking may lead to distribution delays. It won’t be a smooth road trip for the trucking industry, which is struggling to replace aging drivers due to difficult working conditions. For example, Australia has tens of thousands of unfilled positions, with shortages set to headache the industry in 2025 and beyond:

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Incorporating Echo's location data into their operations will help companies make informed decisions to enhance efficiency, remain cost-effective, and improve customer satisfaction, effectively mitigating the challenges posed by global disruptions and regulatory changes.

Heading into 2025 with geospatial data

This year, businesses across industries will look to innovate and adapt to shifting landscapes. Data-driven decision-making will help organizations evolve faster. Whether you're navigating the retail revival, optimizing office spaces, enhancing ad campaigns, or overcoming supply chain hurdles, staying informed and proactive will be key.

Take the first step in future-proofing your business—explore how industry-specific insights and geospatial solutions can position you for success in the year ahead.