Retail is changing fast—digital disruption and shifting customer expectations are shaking things up.
To keep up in 2025, it takes more than just managing stock; you need to stay ahead of trends and be ready to adapt.
This list of top retail and ecommerce books goes beyond the basics, showing how AI, omnichannel strategies, sustainability, and experience are shaping the future.
No matter where you are in your journey—whether you’re leading a team or just starting out—these books offer real insights to help you stay relevant and thrive in a rapidly evolving industry.
The Whole Sale: Profitable Wholesale Strategies For Brands
Authors: Liza Amlani & Raj Dhiman, edited by Alicia Esposito
Wholesale’s not a relic—it’s a revenue engine. This book reframes wholesale as a strategic partner to DTC, not its competitor.
Inside: interview-driven insights, onboarding templates, and sharp case studies that expose the hidden costs of skipping wholesale.
Smart, grounded, and full of tools, it’s a must-read for scaling brands eyeing sustainable partnerships.
Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market
Author: Ron Thurston
In an age of automation, Ron Thurston reminds us what machines can’t replace: pride, purpose, and people-first leadership.
His “Pause, Reflect, Center” framework helps professionals navigate modern work with clarity and confidence.
Thoughtful and accessible, it’s a human roadmap in a tech-driven world—made for leaders building teams that matter.
Store Traffic Is a Gift: The Retailer’s Guide to Converting Visits into Sales
Author: Mark Ryski
Every visitor matters. Mark Ryski treats foot traffic not as a stat, but a moment of opportunity. This book shows how to convert it.
With decades of retail analytics experience, he walks through staff strategy, customer engagement, and operational flow.
It’s equal parts data and common sense—a conversion handbook for anyone who owns, runs, or loves a store.
The Luxury Strategy: Break the Rules of Marketing to Build Luxury Brands
Authors: Jean‑Noël Kapferer & Vincent Bastien
Luxury isn’t logical—it’s emotional, irrational, rare. This book rejects traditional marketing to build brands with mystique.
Hermès, Chanel, and Rolex aren’t successful by accident, and their strategies get dissected here with precision.
Insightful for any leader asking: how do you scale while staying untouchable?
Brand Global, Adapt Local: How to Build Brand Value Across Cultures
Authors: Katherine Melchior Ray & Nataly Kelly
One brand, many markets—this book shows how to stay consistent without losing cultural relevance.
With stories from Nike, Marriott, and Shiseido, it’s part playbook, part cultural guide, built for global marketers.
Perfect for teams managing international growth, brand cohesion, and local resonance all at once.
The Selfish Servant: Inspirational Lessons from a Visionary CEO
Author: Antonio McBroom
From scooping ice cream to executive leadership, McBroom shares the story and structure behind his rise.
His “Self-ish Servant” framework fuses drive with service, offering a model for legacy-building leadership.
It’s equal parts memoir and manual—for those who want to lead, and lead well.
The Science of Shopping: Psychology, Innovation & Strategy
Author: Kate Hardcastle MBE
Retail is sensory, not spreadsheet. This book dives into how sightlines, scent, and sound shape shopping behavior.
Hardcastle offers actionable ideas for store planners and strategists eager to make shopping feel intuitive and human again.
Psychology meets commerce in this fresh take on brick-and-mortar strategy.