Retailers Brace For 2017: Expect More Store Closings And Major Changes Under Trump’s Tax Policy

More upheaval is ahead for retailers in 2017, thanks to changes in the political landscape and consumer behavior. Following a year in which several bricks-and-mortar players made big strides on the web (think Wal-Mart’s acquisition of Jet.com, or Best Buy’s three straight quarters of 24 percent online sales growth), the battle for second place is intensifying. This shift toward digital is likely to reverberate through retailers’ physical footprints, as they re-evaluate their needs for space. Amid all of this change, it’s becoming clearer that retailers need to take back control of their own destiny, so expect to see more brands that relied on third-party retailers to sell their goods getting more hand’s-on. All the while, economic and political changes will play a role on retailers’ top and bottom lines. As the page turns on 2016, here are five trends you can expect to see in the retail sector next year. See more at CNBC.