Consumer Trends: Page 7


  • A Klarna sign at a Charlotte Premium Outlets mall in Charlotte, N.C. on March 26, 2022.
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    Caitlin Mullen/Retail Dive, data courtesy of Industry Dive employee Caitlin Mullen
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    Gen Z used BNPL more than credit cards over holidays, survey shows

    It was the first J.D. Power survey to show that buy now, pay later overtook credit card use among that demographic.

    By Patrick Cooley • March 4, 2025
  • Several grocery items such as chocolate almond milk and pistachio nut butter against an orange backdrop
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Inflation continues to drive private label growth

    Gen Z and millennial shoppers are particularly interested in store brands as they seek out both value and quality, per a Circana study.

    By Howard Ruben • March 3, 2025
  • Trendline

    How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

    More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • Shoppers walk by boarded-up windows in front of a brick, Old Navy building.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    What 5 charts say about the pandemic’s impact on retail, 5 years later

    The industry may be far from the dramatic day-to-day struggles of 2020, but it hasn’t yet escaped the long tail the global health crisis left in its wake.

    By March 3, 2025
  • An entrance at the Christiana Mall in Delaware in 2024
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Economic blackout urges US consumers to avoid purchases Friday

    The People's Union USA wants shoppers to abstain from making in-store or online purchases, but research shows just 16% plan to participate.

    By Nate Delesline III • Feb. 28, 2025
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    Consumer spending falls, highlighting fading confidence

    Two closely tracked gauges of consumer confidence slid in February, pushed down by concerns about import duties enacted by the Trump administration.

    By Jim Tyson • Feb. 28, 2025
  • President Donald Trump speaks during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Feb. 26, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Canada and Mexico tariffs will take effect March 4, Trump confirms

    The president will also impose an additional 10% import tax on China next week and hinted at plans to soon levy 25% duties on the European Union.

    By Philip Neuffer • Feb. 27, 2025
  • A bright green facade says "Joann" in white capital letters, and "handmade happiness" in white script.
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    Courtesy of Joann
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    Joann shoppers to shift purchases to Michaels, Hobby Lobby

    The craft retailer’s store closures have left shoppers searching for alternatives, according to a Numerator survey.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 27, 2025
  • A person carrying a tote bag looks at items on a grocery store shelf
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Consumer sentiment slumps on fears tariffs will fuel inflation

    Consumers are “clearly bracing for a resurgence in inflation,” said Joanne Hsu, director of the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers.

    By Jim Tyson • Feb. 24, 2025
  • A hand holds a paper bag with thick handles
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    Getty Images
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    Consumers expect inflation increase amid tariff talks

    Sentiment is at its lowest point since July, as consumers feel uncertain about the current state of the economy, according to a Wells Fargo report. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Feb. 10, 2025
  • Secretary talks on the phone while working at her desk.
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    Fly View Productions via Getty Images
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    Calling a customer? Brands can now display ‘reason for call’

    TransUnion and AT&T now offer companies the ability to display brand name, company logo and the reason for their call when dialing Android users.

    By Kristen Doerer • Feb. 6, 2025
  • Closeup of a person picking up tomatoes at a grocery store.
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    Getty Images
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    Consumer confidence in January falls for the first time in 6 months

    The University of Michigan recorded a 10% year-on-year drop, and other data found sentiment hit a four-month low.

    By Feb. 3, 2025
  • The Chewy.com website on a tablet.
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Chewy holds the top spot as overall satisfaction with online retail declines

    The American Customer Satisfaction Index found two-thirds of online retailers saw satisfaction drop year over year.

    By Bryan Wassel • Feb. 3, 2025
  • A customer pays for a purchase with a mobile device
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    Getty Images
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    Third of US small businesses add credit card surcharges

    The findings of a J.D. Power survey indicate that merchants are passing the cost of swipe fees onto customers, even though they’re lowering consumer satisfaction with the transaction.

    By Patrick Cooley • Feb. 3, 2025
  • A customer pays for a purchase at a clothing store
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    Getty Images
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    What retailers can expect in 2025

    As a new year kicks off, the industry is up against challenges concerning tariffs, DEI policies and crime.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 31, 2025
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: A new retail apocalypse?

    The team discusses a recent report that U.S. retailers are set to shutter many more stores than they plan to open in 2025 — and what that really means.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Jan. 30, 2025
  • An Amazon worker places a delivery on a residential porch
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    Permission granted by Amazon
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    What holiday sales mean for 2025

    Uncertainties persist, but five years after the pandemic lockdown, this year may at last mark a return to normal.

    By Jan. 27, 2025
  • Shot of a young woman using her cellphone while relaxing on a sofa at home
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    Getty Images
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    Consumer spend on generative AI apps hit nearly $1.1B in 2024

    Higher spending growth rates propelled by apps like ChatGPT and Google Gemini could catapult the category into the top 10 within a year.

    By Aaron Baar • Jan. 27, 2025
  • A person in a store places a cosmetic product into a shopping basket
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    Getty Images
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    Gen Z still prefers in-person shopping

    The generation prioritizes buying beauty and luxury goods in person, placing a premium on the physical shopping experience, research from Adyen shows.

    By Jan. 27, 2025
  • Grocery products.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    Private label sales hit record in 2024

    Store brand sales increased nearly 4% to $271 billion, according to a new report from the Private Label Manufacturers Association.

    By Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 23, 2025
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    Getty Images
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    Consumer spending forecast to grow 3.1% this year

    2025 could be a “breakthrough year,” as retailers engaging with generative AI see some results, according to Deloitte.  

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 22, 2025
  • People wearing Lee clothes with a white background.
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    Courtesy of Lee
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    Lee brings performance-based fabrics to new line

    The company is incorporating updated design and textile enhancements into its men's jeanswear with the launch of its Lee X platform.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 21, 2025
  • John Furner, President and CEO, Walmart U.S.
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    Courtesy of Jason Dixson Photography
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    Memorable quotes from NRF’s 2025 Big Show

    Retail executives discussed the future of AI, the store experience and personalization at this year’s conference. 

    By Daphne Howland and Kaarin Moore • Jan. 16, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Target cut its go-to-market timeframe from 7 months to 8 weeks. Here’s why.

    The retailer has created an operating model that quickly enables it to bring new trends to consumers. 

    By Jan. 15, 2025
  • A model wears clothing from Antrhopologie's new resortwear line, including sunglasses, a blue bikini and an oversized button down featuring stamp graphics. The model rides a bike.
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    Courtesy of Anthropologie
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    Anthropologie launches resortwear line

    The Urban Outfitters, Inc.-owned brand is positioning its new label as a response to increased consumer interest in travel.

    By Laurel Deppen • Jan. 15, 2025
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    Yujin Kim/Retail Dive
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    These retailers could file for bankruptcy in 2025

    From At Home to Guitar Center, here’s who’s most at risk in the year ahead.

    By Updated Jan. 18, 2025