Consumer Trends


  • A person's hand holding a phone and on the screen is an image of a shopping cart with a banner above that says "BUY NOW PAY LATER!A
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    Creative via Getty Images
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    67% of parents will use BNPL to finance the holidays

    Parents are using pay later plans to justify large purchases and better manage their finances, according to a new survey. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Nov. 8, 2024
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    Edwin Lopez/Retail Dive
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    27% of shoppers will switch retailers, abandon purchase if they come across locked-up products: report

    More than half of consumers report seeing more merchandise locked up in stores in the past year, according to a recent survey from Numerator.

    By Howard Ruben • Nov. 6, 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
  • Donald Trump was elected on Tuesday to a second term as president.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    As Trump rises again, so too might inflation

    Some retailers could get hit hard by policies promised by the president-elect, especially tariffs and taxes, though tax breaks may be a tailwind.

    By Nov. 6, 2024
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    Oscar Wong via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Bitly

    Personalization 101: How to use simple data to create tailored retail experiences

    Personalization is powerful—why are so many retailers missing the mark? Learn how to get it right.

    Nov. 4, 2024
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    Permission granted by The Ibotta Performance Network
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    Sponsored by The Ibotta Performance Network

    Adapting to consumer spending habits in 2024

    Learn how grocery shopping trends have changed in 2024 and how your brand can adapt to the new spending habits.

    Nov. 4, 2024
  • People running wearing Brooks shoes.
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    Courtesy of Brooks Running
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Brooks Running hits revenue record and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet acquires former Big Lots stores

    The running brand surpassed $1 billion in global revenue year to date, while Ollie’s acquired more leases from the bankrupt discounter.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Nov. 1, 2024
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Retailers creeping it real

    Halloween will drive $11.6 billion in spending this year. Plus, it’s fun!

    By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 31, 2024
  • Person sits on a couch shopping on an iPad next to a Christmas tree.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Product review videos to influence holiday shopping

    YouTube, Facebook and Instagram are the top social media platforms shoppers are using for research this season, according to a Circana report. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 30, 2024
  • A person sits in front of a computer online shopping while a Christmas lights are in the background.
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    Anchiy via Getty Images
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    Most consumers plan to shop online this holiday season

    While some people started shopping during October’s promotions, most consumers plan to start next month, according to research by Bain & Company.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 28, 2024
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Why some retail has been resilient against Amazon

    It's about the products — and the people.

    By Oct. 28, 2024
  • Carved pumpkin for Halloween.
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    Courtesy of The Home Depot
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    Let the ghoul times roll: Why retailers love Halloween

    Companies are engaging with the fall holiday earlier than ever. Because, as it turns out, Halloween is a big moneymaker. 

    By Oct. 22, 2024
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    SolStock via Getty Images
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    Sponsored by Coveo

    How generational differences will drive gifting this holiday season

    Discover how Gen Z and millennials will shape holiday gifting trends this season.

    By Peter Curran, GM of Commerce at Coveo • Oct. 21, 2024
  • The exterior of H&M's pop-up in New York City's Nolita neighborhood. There are metallic silver mannequins in the window with a red background.
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    Courtesy of H&M
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Foot Locker partners with the Chicago Bulls, H&M pops up in New York

    The footwear retailer’s deal includes a series of community events, in-store activations and more, while the apparel retailer’s pop-up store runs for two months.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Oct. 18, 2024
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    Liliboas via Getty Images
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    Consumers to shop at discount department stores this holiday

    In response to higher costs, shoppers will spend more time looking for deals this season, according to an ICSC survey. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 17, 2024
  • NRF expects holiday sales to rise as much as 3.5%, reaching at least $980B

    With an expansive economy and wages outpacing inflation — and despite ongoing consumer wariness — spending will set a record, the group said.

    By Oct. 16, 2024
  • Shoppers pass stores on Black Friday.
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    Jessica McGowan / Stringer via Getty Images
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    How retailers can foster loyalty for Black Friday and beyond

    Half of U.S. consumers say they will remain loyal to the brands they buy from on Black Friday, an SAP Emarsys survey found.

    By Kristen Doerer • Oct. 16, 2024
  • View of an interior of a mall decorated with holiday wreaths attached to the skylight.
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    satura86 via Getty Images
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    Nearly half of holiday shoppers plan to shop in stores

    While online shopping is returning to pre-pandemic behaviors, there is a generational divide between those who shop on computers versus mobile devices, according to Experian. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Oct. 15, 2024
  • A person wearing jeans and a sweater holds a credit card over a laptop, with a blurry holiday tree in the background.
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    stock photo via Getty Images
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    What to know about holiday consumers this year

    How much will this year’s anomalies — including a presidential election, inflation and a super-short season — affect shopping in 2024?

    By Oct. 15, 2024
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    Permission granted by Rare Beauty
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    Deep Dive

    ‘Everybody benefits’: Why the beauty industry needs to get serious about accessible packaging

    Rare Beauty and Target have taken steps to develop guidance around universally accessible design. But the industry isn’t prioritizing it yet.

    By Oct. 14, 2024
  • An Urban Outfitters storefront is pictured while a large amount of shoppers walk on the sidewalk in front of it.
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    Dan Dennison/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Urban Outfitters drops prices on over 100 styles

    The brand’s North American head previously acknowledged that “customers perceive us as expensive.”

    By Oct. 10, 2024
  • Nike shoes are seen on display in a store.
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Nike remains the top brand among teens, but it’s losing share

    Brands like New Balance, Adidas, Birkenstock and On are continuing to gain traction with Gen Z.

    By Howard Ruben • Oct. 10, 2024
  • A person in a PSL hat sits at a table pouring something into a glass.
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    Courtesy of Starbucks
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    Looking to replace pumpkin spice? Stop looking.

    One day there may be another innovative product that hits the cultural zeitgeist, but even then experts say the fall favorite is here to stay.

    By Oct. 8, 2024
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    Tirachard via Getty Images
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    How influencers sway consumer purchasing decisions

    More consumers are placing their trust in influencers, especially in online communities with niche interests, a Mavely survey found.

    By Kristen Doerer • Oct. 7, 2024
  • 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