Why thinking “beyond trade” can help retailers prepare for the future

Maya Yegorova

By 2030, half of retailer profits could be drawn from businesses like advertising, financial services and data services, according to a new report.

Half of retail profits could be generated from sources like advertising, financial products, health services and third-party fulfillment by 2030, a report by consultancy Bain & Company has argued.

More specifically, these non-conventional revenue sources can help what Bain describes as “Engine 2” firms – defined as enterprises which draw on “existing scale benefits” as they build new businesses inside their own four walls – present an opportunity to generate more revenue at a time of stagnant growth from core retail operations.

And launching “Engine 2” strategies need not require complete reinvention; instead, retailers can leverage the assets they already...

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