In case you missed it, we presented our 2015 research agenda in a special-event webinar last Thursday. The occasion really serves two purposes: first, to make sure you know where we’re headed with our surveys and benchmark research in the coming year. But just as importantly, for you to get a chance to let us know what you think about it.

Below you’ll find the outline for the topics we know we want to cover (as well as when the survey for each will launch and when its corresponding benchmark report will be released). But one of the more unique things we do here at RSR got a little interrupted by some technical difficulties with our webinar hosting service, and we’d like to make sure everyone gets a chance to weigh in.

Last year we reserved a “TBD ” spot in our calendar. We did this for several reasons. Not only did we want to make sure that we left room for a hot new retail topic should it arise in a hurry, but we also wanted to make sure that we made a spot available for our community to recommend a topic we may have simply, well… overlooked. We’re glad we did, because we’re currently conducting a survey on The Convergence of Merchandise Planning and Execution; it took this year’s TBD slot, and we never would have come up with that topic on our own.

So we’re doing it again in 2015. Our original plan was to have two TBD slots, but one has already been taken. Again, it’s a topic we never would have thought of – our first ever benchmark on Home Delivery in Retail (survey launches in September of next year) – and we’re very thankful for the suggestion. It’s one of the reports we’re most excited about conducting, as we love trying new things.

So here’s the question: What do you think should fill our 2^nd TBD slot for 2015? Believe it or not, it’s closer than you think, as the survey launches just a few weeks after NRF’s Big Show.

We really hope you’ll reach out and let us know. And in the meantime, here’s what we’ve already got on the books. With your help, we’re looking forward to another great year! Oh, and in case you’d like to review the webinar (either by section or in its entirety), here’s a link to the recording of it.

Here’s to a great 2015.