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The ongoing global pandemic poses significant challenges for researchers, personally and professionally, as it does for all people. However, even if we cannot safely leave our home to gather qualitative data by directly meeting with people, opportunities abound for engaging in discourse analysis. After all, people have not stopped talking or writing, even if much of that is now via Zoom, social media or some other technology platform rather than face to face. What people are talking and writing about at this time matters greatly because language use profoundly shapes how people interpret reality, perceive themselves and others and act. Quite literally, then, the discourse people engage in and are influenced by during the pandemic may help to save or imperil lives and livelihoods. While there are many possible approaches to discourse analysis, this chapter focuses on some key insights French philosopher and social theorist Michel Foucault offers for such endeavors. It offers an introductory account of his key concepts and methods, followed by a brief case study to demonstrate their application to discourses that reject scientific knowledge and advice about COVID-19.

US retail executives' perspectives of the future of apparel retailing were explored in this study. Data were collected through personal interviews conducted at the 1996 National Retail Federation (NRF) Convention in New York City. Current and future changes in demographic, consumer behavioural and technological trends impacting apparel retailing were studied; current challenges in the apparel retailing field were discussed and future business strategies were recommended. Respondents' predictions include the emergence of a new competitive culture focused on the development of unique products and business strategies beyond price‐based retail competition. Retail executives recommend the development of niche markets and strong product development programmes. Based on study results, implications for retail practitioners and researchers are discussed with relevant hypotheses inductively generated from study findings. The research was funded, in part, by the Graduate Student Research Fund, College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Iowa State University.

This study aims to investigate the secondhand clothes (SHC) donating behavior phenomenon using the cognitive-affective-conative model and examines the moderating role of COVID-19 knowledge on the relationship between the desire to donate and actual SHC donating behavior.

A total of 160 questionnaires were distributed to potential participants who donated their clothes to thrift shops during the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA.

A total of 145 useable surveys were collected for analysis. The study found that the desire to donate SHC plays an essential role in enhancing actual SHC donating behavior. In addition, the study found that perceived responsibility and altruistic fear positively influence the desire to donate SHC. In contrast, individuals’ COVID-19 knowledge does not moderate the relationship between the desire to donate SHC and actual SHC donating behavior.

A limited empirical study uses the cognitive–affective–conative approach to SHC donating behavior. The findings of this study enhance the body of SHC’s theoretical knowledge and enhance individuals’ participation in donation programs in support of their community and humanitarian programs.