Consumer Trends


  • Belk storefront.
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Belk unveils fresh board of directors and Finish Line to disappear

    The regional department store has a new board while the athletics brand’s stores are being rebannered as JD locations. 

    By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 4, 2024
  • Buildings, cars and a pedestrian are reflected in a store window that says "Black Friday, up to 70% off" in orange letters.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Black Friday to Cyber Monday US retail sales to hit ‘record’ $75B

    That’s up 5% from last year. Meanwhile, Cyber Monday is seeing its relevance fade, according to a Bain & Company report. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 4, 2024
  • Trendline

    The state of small business

    Disruptions from the pandemic, e-commerce and broader economic trends continue to bedevil operations for small businesses.

    By Retail Dive staff
  • Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy speaking during the National Retail Federation's Big Show in January 2024.
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    Courtesy of The National Retail Federation
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    Top retail conferences in 2025

    Topics this year include AI, consumer trends and brand loyalty.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
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    vgajic via Getty Images
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    PwC expects 7% bump in average holiday spending, increased traffic to stores

    Despite easing inflation, however, consumers remain selective and motivated by price.

    By Oct. 1, 2024
  • Young women standing with a shopping bag and phone in her hand.
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    Bernard Bodo/Shutterstock.com

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    Sponsored by ShopFully

    Why 9 out of 10 European shoppers prefer in-store shopping, and other key trends

    Explore insights into five surprising European shopping trends, including in-store outshining online.

    Sept. 30, 2024
  • Storefront of a Party City.
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Party City cuts prices on 2K items ahead of the holidays

    The celebrations and events retailer said it’s responding to consumers, who continue to feel budgetary pressure.

    By Sept. 27, 2024
  • A pair of Squishmallow Crocs
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    Courtesy of Business Wire
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: L’Occitane CEO departs and Crocs partners with Squishmallows

    The beauty retailer created an office of the CEO to lead in the interim, while the footwear collab features three shoe designs and several Jibbitz charms.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Sept. 27, 2024
  • Many wrapped presents on a green background
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    miniseries via Getty Images
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    Most holiday shoppers will buy a gift for themselves this year

    Consumers will spend over $1,200 on gifts, food, decor and experiences for the season, according to JLL, and roughly 83% will buy something for themselves.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 27, 2024
  • A person sits on a couch holding a mobile phone next to a Christmas tree.
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    FreshSplash via Getty Images
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    Online holiday sales in the US to hit record $240.8B: Adobe Analytics

    The number of purchases done on mobile devices is expected to grow more than 10% compared to last year and will make up 53.2% of all online shopping.

    By Howard Ruben • Sept. 26, 2024
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: The state of the art of couponing

    The team discusses a recent deep dive into the movement, led by deal-hunting influencers, and what it means for consumers and retailers alike.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Sept. 26, 2024
  • Halloween decorations and costumes.
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    benimage via Getty Images
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    Halloween spending to reach $11.6B this year: NRF

    This year won’t likely reach 2023’s record-breaking numbers, with over a third of consumers buying seasonal items at discounters.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 20, 2024
  • A person holds a smartphone depicting a person holding a skincare product.
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    Ezra Acayan via Getty Images
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    More than half of US Gen Zers are headed to TikTok Shop this season

    Retailers are investing in digital marketing to reach the younger generation as the group turns to generative AI and influencer recommendations for gift ideas.

    By Sept. 19, 2024
  • A view from the upper concourse looking toward Dillard's at Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake, Virginia in July 2024
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    Nate Delesline III/Retail Dive
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    Gartner: 32% of holiday shoppers will start before November

    But 21% of those surveyed said they plan to reduce their holiday spending this year as high inflation continues to squeeze consumers.

    By Sept. 18, 2024
  • A screenshot of Krazy Coupon Lady's YouTube video.
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    Retrieved from YouTube on September 18, 2024
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    Deep Dive

    How couponing communities are still thriving

    Though it's been over a decade since TLC aired Extreme Couponing, shoppers are still deal-hunting — the methods have just changed.

    By Sept. 18, 2024
  • A Lowe's associate helps a customer in a store
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Shoppers want personalization online, in-store and on customer service calls

    Personalization doesn’t end on the website or app. Customers are looking for personalized assistance from in-store associates and customer service agents as well, an Incisiv and Talkdesk study found.

    By Bryan Wassel • Sept. 16, 2024
  • A Woman in Plaid Blazer Using Her Laptop
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    Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels

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    Shoppers to pull back on everyday purchases to prioritize holiday budgets

    Most consumers this year are also discovering offers and discounts solely through digital sources including email and social media, Coveo found. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 16, 2024
  • Three boxes stacked with a bow on top in a holiday scene.
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    svetikd via Getty Images
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    Holiday retail sales growth projected to increase 2.3% to 3.3%

    The pace of increase in holiday sales will be slower than 2023, but e-commerce will likely grow, according to Deloitte. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Sept. 13, 2024
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    33% of holiday shoppers plan to spend less this year: Bankrate

    Concerns around high interest rates and inflation are stressing consumers’ budgets, according to a recent report.

    By Howard Ruben • Sept. 9, 2024
  • Bluemercury storefront.
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    Kaarin Vembar / Retail Dive/Retail Dive
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Under Armour hires (another) Adidas vet and Bluemercury turns 25

    The athletics retailer appointed a new leader in its Europe, the Middle East and Africa division, while the beauty company refreshed its online presence. 

    By Retail Dive Staff • Sept. 6, 2024
  • Perfect Corp. YouCam
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    Courtesy of Perfect Corp.
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    Virtual try-on offers more sales: Perfect Corp.

    The report found that over 38% of respondents identified virtual fitting rooms and try-ons as the most effective use case of AI and AR tech.

    By Sept. 3, 2024
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Off-price retailers poised to take even more market share from department stores

    TJX, Ross and Burlington all enjoyed higher sales and profits in the second quarter.

    By Sept. 3, 2024
  • A person displays their open wallet and cards
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    Joe Raedle / Staff via Getty Images
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    Shoppers’ online fraud fears escalate

    Four in five consumers are worried about identity theft or someone stealing their credit card numbers, according to an August report from the credit monitoring agency Experian.

    By Patrick Cooley • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Mars Wrigley candy and snacks line up.
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    Permission granted by Mars
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    Sponsored by Mars Wrigley

    Ready for Halloween? The “Mars Tricks, Treats and Trends” report illuminates consumer behaviors around the season

    As the authority on Halloween, Mars Wrigley is helping retailers unpack consumer behaviors and purchase patterns around candy’s biggest season.

    By Mars Wrigley • Sept. 3, 2024
  • Billowy clouds in a blue sky above a storefront.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Best Buy revenue falls 3% in Q2

    The electronics retailer is updating in-store merchandising across multiple categories as it increasingly competes with big-box rivals for market share. 

    By Aug. 30, 2024
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Under Armour’s past — and future — under Kevin Plank

    The executive earlier this year returned to the athletics brand he founded nearly 30 years ago. What does that mean for the company?

    By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 29, 2024