It's a good question, and I think my experience is no, it depends on the store.
I'm still getting a sense of what is current and it's been a learning process for sure from when I started YLF. More high end department stores (Nordstrom) might be more current than Macy's, Sears, etc. in the brick and mortar stores. But in general I've found bigger department stores have plenty of not-trendy or trendy in the past offerings as well as currently trendy ones. It's part of offering a wide selection and catering to all ages. Same with off-price retailers. I also think the smaller the clothing section in brick and mortar the more likely it is to be current -- Target is usually more current to my eye than Sears for example. Also I think there is more that is not current available online for department stores, again because of the larger selection.
H&M and Forever21 tend to be much more trend focused, on all the trends, and current in that way. The trade off can be much less in the way of classics, but it's a safe bet that something I see there is current in shape, color, and pattern -- if I do my own filter for if it would match the age/style/personality of the wearer.
I rarely shop at Banana Republic, Gap, Loft and retailers with a small seasonal selection and a pretty defined look, but I'd imagine they would tend to be mostly current (with classics) because of the smaller retail space and seasonal turn over.
ETA: I see I cross-posted, I agree with the above.
