Last year, when we wrote our Futures 2020 report, little did we know how much the world would change in 2020.However, when it came to commerce, it felt less like a behavioral shift, and more like an acceleration of what was already in motion –more inspiration, searching and transacting online; online sellers providing vital services to consumers; and consumers becoming evermorereliant on, and demanding of, online retailers, brands and marketplaces.One thing is certain – never has it been more important for brands and retailers to get their online offerings right. Those who had bittenthe bullet early and invested in their infrastructure found themselves in a perfect position to take advantage of the move online duringthe pandemic outbreak and lockdowns. The rest were left scrambling around, hurriedly assembling their online offerings, and in somecases, seeing their revenue streams evaporate completely. Businesses who believed that digital and online were something for thefuture, suddenly found that the platform upon which they were standing was not simply burning, but had already turned to ash.It is therefore more important than ever that we think further ahead about what commerce will look like in the future, and to considerwhat the next generation of consumers will expect and demand – and how they’ll signal this. It’s crucial too that businesses invest intheir ability to offer range, ease, speed and convenience to their consumers. That’s why we suggest it’s more vital than ever that youscan this future through our Futures 2021 trends guide.Last year, I wished everyone a happy new decade. It may not have started how we would have predicted, but the twenties is likely to seesome of the biggest changes in retail that we have ever experienced – necessity is, after all, the mother of invention.Happy 2021!