蘑菇AV

Costco鈥檚 fiscal Q4 earnings report, with total revenues of $78.94 billion, offers a glimpse into shifting consumer priorities: its shoppers are now favoring essentials, opting for groceries and gasoline, while luxury and other discretionary items have taken a backseat.

Walmart is undergoing a 鈥渕uch broader shift,鈥� said our analyst Sky Canaves on our 鈥淏ehind the Numbers: Reimagining Retail鈥� podcast. Where Walmart was once seen as primarily a retailer, it鈥檚 pivoting into tech and services. Walmart鈥檚 business remains rooted in grocery, but through its retail as a service and Walmart+ offerings, it鈥檚 expanding that flywheel.

Gen Z鈥檚 buying power is rapidly growing: Food and beverage companies looking to cater to the demo鈥檚 unique tastes can鈥檛 do so without incurring some risks, however.

Consumer spending patterns shifted in 2023: Retailers like Walmart, TJ Maxx, and E.l.f Beauty benefited from consumers growing cost consciousness.

Trader Joe鈥檚 small, curated stores and limited footprint sets it apart. Between its branding, product choice, and customer experience, there are a lot of lessons other retailers beyond grocery can learn from the Trader Joe鈥檚 model. Here are four takeaways from Trader Joe鈥檚.

Retailers like Dollar General, Walmart, and Target are rethinking the self-checkout experience, scaling back on kiosks or removing self-checkout from their locations altogether. But considering 55% of US adults prefer to get through their in-store grocery shopping as fast as possible (according to a November 2023 survey from Kearney) it鈥檚 unlikely self-checkout will be leaving stores anytime soon. Here are five stats on self-checkout, including how and why consumers like to use it, the reason some retailers are pulling back, and what the future holds for the technology.

Nearly a third (32%) of US consumers plan to celebrate St. Patrick鈥檚 Day this year, per Numerator. Of those, 91% say they expect to buy something for their St. Patrick鈥檚 celebration, with food and alcohol being the top items purchased.

Mobile app install ad spending is on the rise, and more video content on social media means an increase in time spent on platforms. Plus, click and collect remains a popular option for grocery buyers. Our forecasters laid out some good news for advertisers.

According to Piper Sandler鈥檚 45th semi-annual survey of US teen consumers, Gen Z spending was up 2% YoY to $2,419 annually. We dig into some of the key findings from the survey and offer our perspective, including why Ulta Beauty is proof the 鈥渓ipstick effect鈥� is in full swing and how Amazon can keep up with platforms like TikTok.

Macy's and Best Buy are seeing a drop in sales of nonessential goods: Economic uncertainty, inflation force consumers to focusing on necessities like groceries.

On today's episode, we discuss what to make of Twitter changing its name to X, whether Walmart is crushing Amazon in the grocery wars, what a billboard in your living room would look like, what Gen Z has done to the purchase funnel, why Airbnb doesn't have a loyalty program, what the most popular museums around the world are, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our vice president of content Suzy Davidkhanian and analysts Blake Droesch and Carina Perkins.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what non-AI technology took the spotlight at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), second-tier TV audiences, what streaming will look like in a few years, what its like to shop with a chatbot, how digital grocery will take things up a notch, how big the sun actually is, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our forecasting writer Ethan Cramer-Flood, analyst Bill Fisher, and forecasting analyst Zach Goldner.

Many retailers are predicting that consumer spending patterns in 2024 could be similar to 2023鈥攑ulling back on discretionary categories and sometimes essentials like groceries. So far, discount and dollar stores have benefited from tightened consumer spending, but that success isn鈥檛 guaranteed in the new year. Here鈥檚 how three low-price retailers are planning to appeal to consumers and keep sales up in the months ahead.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss what comes after the end of search as we know it, what generative AI (genAI) is best at today, who the right partner for Paramount+ is, what Ikea's plans to save the mall entail, the most popular alcoholic drinks in the US, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our director of reports editing Rahul Chadha and analysts Ross Benes and Max Willens.

Forty-four percent of US adults plan to spend their normal amount on health and beauty products this year, according to a MetaPack survey. More than two-thirds said they鈥檙e not changing their spending on apparel (39%) or on DIY and gardening (34%).

Consumers鈥� value focus is an expansion opportunity for Costco, BJ鈥檚: The two plan to open dozens of stores to capitalize on demand for warehouse retailers.

鈥淥ut-of-home鈥檚 beauty is its proximity,鈥� said Steve Nicklin, senior vice president of marketing and analytics at the Out of Home Advertising Association (OAAA). 鈥淲e're also intercepting consumers when they're most likely to act.鈥�

Consumer spending diverged in 2023: Shoppers splurged on lower-priced indulgences such as health and beauty items, but pulled back on big-ticket items such as TVs and couches.

Since bringing its retail media capabilities in-house, grocery giant Kroger continues to develop its self-service strategy for advertisers, Cara Pratt, SVP, Kroger Precision Marketing at 84.51掳, recently told 蘑菇AV.

Slowing but persistent inflation continues to strain US consumers鈥� buying power: Real wages fell in February as prices for groceries, recreation, and airfare continued to rise.

It also alleges the consumer packaged goods company prevented Ben & Jerry鈥檚 social activism managers from posting on social media in support of Palestinians fleeing the conflict. The background: The current controversy is far from the first time that Unilever and Ben & Jerry鈥檚 have butted heads.

China鈥檚 retail sector will grow from government stimulus, retail鈥檚 genAI revolution will have a far-reaching impact, India鈥檚 quick commerce will heat up, China鈥檚 retailers will face pushback in the region, and Xiaohongshu will further establish itself.

Delinquency fears hit the highest since 2020. We look at how issuers can tailor their offerings for a new era of uncertainty.

On today鈥檚 special edition podcast, we discuss the evolution of creator content, how content is migrating off social channels, brand partnerships and the implications of AI on content. Join Vice President and Principal Analyst, Jasmine Enberg as she hosts Nicole Weltman, Head of Social from Taco Bell, Bryan Reisberg, Creator, CEO, and Co-Founder of Little Chonk, and Sarah Crockett, Senior Vice President and CMO of DSW. Listen everywhere and watch on YouTube and Spotify.

47% of restaurant operators plan to add discounts, deals or value promotions this year: But McDonald鈥檚 disappointing results highlight the challenges of that strategy.