COVID-19 has undeniably impacted the retail industry sectors; we are now witnessing the emergence of a large body of research on the effects of the pandemic in retailing. However, few of these studies provide a clear picture of this topic from prior to and after COVID-19. This research sheds light on whether large retailers have adapted their channels by offering integrated and digital services amid the new conditions forced on them. This study assesses indicators of channel integration and digital transformation of all large clothing and apparel retailers in Spain—before and after COVID-19—and analyzes the differences by means of McNemar’s test and one-way repeated-measures ANOVA. The analysis suggests that large retailers were moderately prepared to provide multichannel and omnichannel services and that they focused on integrating quick and easy-to-implement services, such as omnichannel gift cards, or communicating via WhatsApp for customer care services. The study also identifies elements in which large clothing brands should prioritize on after the pandemic to effectively deploy omnichannel strategies.
This study provides a review of the sustainability of rural electrification projects in developing countries to identify drivers of the long-term success of these initiatives. Unlike previous studies that often separate sustainability into social, economic, and environmental dimensions, this research adopts a comprehensive approach, acknowledging the interconnectedness of these aspects. Twenty-one sustainability drivers were identified. Based on these, a framework was proposed to organize them across project phases and key activities, supporting sustainable project planning and execution. This framework enables stakeholders to integrate sustainability considerations into the design and management of rural electrification projects, facilitating strategic action across diverse areas. The findings underscore well-known sustainability drivers such as renewable energy adoption while highlighting less-researched aspects, including project monitoring and waste management. Further studies should explore these under-researched areas and examine the potential of digitalization to enhance project sustainability, particularly as rural connectivity improves in developing countries. This approach can provide insights into optimizing rural electrification projects for long-term success and resilience.