Have you ever wished that there was an online, curated library of research and reports designed specifically for exploring topics crucial to women leaders in the retail industry?

Then look no further than Women in Retail Leadership Circle’s members-only online research library, which features high-quality research reports spanning topics such as 2024 talent acquisition trends; the state of consumer attitudes on e-commerce, fraud and CX; and women in the workplace.

A recent addition to our research library that that I found interesting is titled “Enabling Women on the Frontline to Thrive, Stay and Perform.” The report, from Catalyst, a global nonprofit organization that helps build workplaces that work for women, in partnership with Accenture, identifies actions for organizations to improve working conditions and engage women in frontline jobs, including women working in retail stores. The report argues that applying the same DEI strategies in corporate settings to women in frontline roles misses the nuance of different jobs and environments, and outlines new ways to address high burnout, turnover rates, and low engagement and productivity.

Another report in our resource library I recommend is the 2023 Top 100 Omnichannel Retailers report, published by our sister brand, Total Retail. In a world where consumers’ shopping journeys are non-linear, retailers need technology systems and processes in place that meet and exceed consumers’ lofty expectations. Therefore, the significance of a seamless omnichannel strategy cannot be overstated. This report reveals the ranking of 100 retailers based on their omnichannel capabilities across nine key criteria, including supply chain, inventory, customer care, among others.

Women in Retail Leadership Circle also produces original reports that are accessible to both members and nonmembers, such as the highly anticipated annual Top Women in Retail report and the recently released Top 50 Tips of 2023 resource. This report offers a collection of the 50 best tips of the year that appeared on the WIRLC website across four key content pillars: business strategy; entrepreneurship; executive leadership; and executive professional development.

These kinds of reports are crucial for retail executives who want to become better leaders, and I hope you find the time to browse our virtual research library at your leisure. Want to access the library but aren’t a member? Learn more about the application process here.

Happy reading and researching!