The top 7 retailers to watch in 2017

2016 was a year of change for the retail industry.

Lingerie trends went from heavily-padded to barely-there, leading to explosive growth for some new brands and forcing industry mainstays to reinvent themselves. In sportswear, rivals are nipping at the heels of industry leader Nike.

And, with the rise of social media, digital marketing and celebrity endorsements are offering retailers new ways to connect with customers.

Amid the change, some companies managed to track the trends and stay ahead of the competition. Here are seven brands that you should keep an eye on in the new year.