Retail is evolving at an accelerated rate due to changes made possible by technologies and evolving consumer behaviors. Integrating channels and the power of big data are not distinctive factors anymore but rather are prerequisites of competitiveness. Where the field goes will depend on even newer emerging forces: The Internet of things, virtual or augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and robots/drones/driverless vehicles (Deloitte 2016).

To better envision the future, we will begin with an investigation of the past and an analysis of the present. This is to be an academic research paper supported by scholarly references using the APA 6th edition documentation style including in text citations and a bibliography at the end.

In a well written 8 to 10-page formal academic paper, your assignment is to:

1) Summarize the history and evolution of retail operations from post-World War II through the impact of the world wide web.

2) Develop and present an understanding of the current state of the industry.

3) There are as many different projections for the future of retailing as there are writers willing to forecast them. Select an author’s viewpoint that you might find believable, explain their vision of the future, then critique this vision using peer reviewed scholarly research to either support or refute the future of the retail environment five years from now.