Digital-first brands are planning to open 850 physical stores in the next five years.

Digital-first brands are planning to open 850 physical stores in the next five years. JLL Research looked at 100 digital retailers’ pop-up and permanent retail plans, including Everlane, Allbirds, and Away to forecast their future brick-and-mortar presence. Fifteen percent of those retail locations won’t actually be selling anything; instead, they’ll act as showrooms for young consumers to browse and purchase later online. (A shopping pattern 60% of 18-35-year-olds tell Ypulse they’ve done.) Casper alone is planning for 200 stores, and their CMO thinks retail is having a “rebirth.” (AListDaily)