We're featuring a series this month called “2019: A Look Ahead” and continue with a look at retail in the US. In 2018, 13 retail companies filed for bankruptcy protection, which is about half as many as 2017. While some like David’s Bridal and Mattress Firm may be able to reorganize their debt and find a way out of financial trouble, Sears Holdings looks like it will follow the path of Toys R Us and close its doors soon. Consumers have been spending more money, but as e-commerce is taking a large share of that, brick and mortar stores need to continue to find better ways in which to compete. To discuss how these retail trends will carry out in 2019, host Dan Loney talks with Barbara Kahn, Professor of Marketing at the Wharton school, and Mark Cohen, Director of Retail Studies at Columbia University Graduate School of Business and former CEO of Sears Canada, Lazarus Department Stores and Bradlees, Inc., on Knowledge@Wharton. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.