The future of sustainable fashion is bright, but further initiatives and widespread adoption beyond Gen Z will be necessary to create a truly sustainable system in fashion retail.

With a tight labor market and fierce competition for skilled employees, major retailers are making bold moves to attract and retain the best candidates. Case in point: Costco and Walmart recently made headlines by announcing pay raises for their leadership teams, reinforcing one simple truth—when it comes to hiring, compensation is king.

The data suggests that refund anticipation is particularly pronounced in Southern states, which dominate the top of the list. Economic challenges, coupled with lower median incomes in these areas, may drive the heightened interest in refund timelines.

The rapid growth of retail media sharpens the need for shared efforts to define and shape its future. RMNs and advertisers who embrace independence, sophisticated measurement, diverse marketplaces, and genuine privacy will be best positioned to succeed.