Disruption in Retail and Omnichannel Commerce

Retail sales contribute around 25-30% of total U.S. sales. The retail sector, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, includes a wide range of goods, from grocery and apparel to automotive and electronics. In recent years, annual U.S. retail sales have been approximately $6-7 trillion, accounting for about 25-30% of the country's total economic activity. This includes both in-store and online sales, with e-commerce making up about 15% of retail sales (a figure that has been steadily growing). This proportion underscores the retail sector's importance to the overall economy, as it directly reflects consumer spending, which is a primary driver of U.S. economic growth. In this talk, we will go through the current challenges being faced by retailers and shoppers and how both are navigating various headwinds as they shop offline and online.

Dinesh Gauri is chair and Melvin H. Baker Professor of Marketing in the University at Buffalo School of Management, and is director of the school’s Center for Marketing Analysis. Previously, he has been a faculty member at Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas and at Syracuse University. He has also been a visiting scholar at Dartmouth College, Cornell University and the Indian School of Business. He earned his integrated Master of Science in Mathematics and Computers from the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, India, and an MA in economics and a PhD in marketing from University at Buffalo. 

Gauri’s research and teaching interests are in the areas of retailing, shopper marketing, pricing, branding, analytics, e-commerce, new venture development and revenue management, and has advised or consulted for various companies in these areas. A recognized thought leader in retailing, Gauri was ranked third in the world in the retailing journal influence index from 2009 to 2015. His research has been published in various journals in the areas of marketing, retailing, information systems, public policy, hospitality and management. Gauri has co-edited various special issues for the Journal of Business Research and Journal of Retailing, and he chaired the Retailing Thought Leadership Conference in 2019 at the Walton College Campus in Fayetteville.

Gauri has taught in undergraduate, graduate and executive programs. He endeavors to bridge the gap between practice and research. He strives towards engaging with the practitioners and has interacted with, and consulted for, senior executives of many corporations such as Ahold-Delhaize Group, Coca-Cola, Conagra, Field Agent, General Mills, IRI, Kantar Retail, Kinney Drugs, KS&R, Mars Agency, Mars-Wrigley, National Association of Convenience Stores, Nestle, Nielsen Company, NPD, Oracle, Proctor & Gamble, Price Chopper, Rich Products, Saatchi & Saatchi X, Sam’s Club, Tops Supermarket and Walmart. He has presented his research and given executive seminars at various universities and organizations. 

He is the recipient of many research, teaching and service awards at the University of Arkansas and Syracuse University. He received the Retail & Pricing SIG’s Best Mentoring Award in 2023, the Walton College of Business Faculty Research Excellence Award for 2018-19, and the Teaching Innovation Award at Syracuse University. He also received the Davidson Honorable Mention Award for the Best Article published in Journal of Retailing. His dissertation work has been recognized by Fordham University Pricing Center, AMA Retailing SIG and the Miller Center for Retailing at the University of Florida. He has been cited in various media outlets including the Wall Street Journal, Post Standard, San Francisco Chronicle and National Public Radio.