Retention, Relationships, and ROI

Discover the six conditions redefining retail growth:

• Acquisition no longer pays for itself
• AI adoption is stuck in pilot mode
• Mid-market brands are moving upmarket
• Headcount as a growth lever
• Luxury is hitting the reset button
• Tariff pressure and the margin question

The old growth model is broken

Acquisition costs have hit the point where the first purchase is regularly a net loss. Six market conditions are reshaping how premium and luxury retailers grow. The brands pulling ahead are building a different kind of growth engine that drives 49% more purchases and 63% higher spend.

This report draws on Tulip’s own benchmark data and the BoF State of Fashion 2026 to map exactly where that change is underway, and what the retailers already executing on it have in common.

“The customer we have turned into clients through thoughtful, personalized outreach is one of our highest value customers. It’s great to have Tulip be able to actually measurably show us that increase.”
— Rissa Jarratt, EVP of Retail, Jenni Kayne