Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - Spain  

"Amazon is the biggest player in the ever growing online retailing market in Spain and the company has been expanding there rapidly in recent years. It is projected to continue its rise over the coming years, as the online habit sticks, fuelled largely by the overwhelming demand for convenience and the wider range of brands online than when shopping in-store. Significant opportunity exists for the business driven by rising sustainability awareness, greater appetite for fast delivery as well as potential new services, such as prescription medication provision."

Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - Italy  

"Since it launched in Europe, Amazon has evolved from primarily an online book retailer into a retail-based ecosystem, the online equivalent of a department store but with added video, music, gaming and reading services. Its relentless focus on price and service/fulfilment has proved a popular proposition for Italian consumers and it continues to add products and services to its portfolio, using Prime membership benefits as a key driver. Our research finds it is ubiquitous in Italy now but that there are concerns among some consumers that shopping with Amazon may contribute to physical stores closing. We believe there are still opportunities for Amazon to grow its revenues in the country by introducing complementary services and at the same time to partner with store-based retailers to tap into their offline inventories and help to alleviate shoppers’ concerns about the consequences to the high street of shopping online."

• Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - France  
  Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - France

  

  "Amazon is the largest non-food retailer in France, but it is significantly less used by shoppers in that country than in the other markets in our research. There are many reasons for this, not least the advanced state of the online market and the strength of local operators. It operates in a developed and competitive e-commerce sector, where the number of marketplaces is flourishing. Many of these have a focus on local or national businesses, often with an ethical slant. Our research found a common sentiment that there are downsides to shopping at Amazon including concerns about over-packaging and over the impact of shopping at Amazon on physical stores. As e-commerce rebalances post-pandemic, we’re likely to see online spending diffuse across more platforms and retailers, which may slow Amazon’s market share growth."
• Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - Europe  
  Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - Europe

  

  "Amazon is the undisputed leader of the dynamic online retailing market in Europe. It is set to benefit as the channel continues to gain popularity across product and service categories and it has benefitted greatly from the pandemic. It is forecast that Amazon’s rise will continue, albeit with growth not as high as the inflated levels seen in 2020, fuelled by greater demand for convenience and the wider range of brands online. The region presents good prospects for the company as the market is shaped by shifting consumer priorities driven by growing sustainability awareness, interest in rapid delivery services and an appetite for new services."
• Back to College Shopping - US  
  Back to College Shopping - US

  

  “College spending comprises two thirds of the total back to school market, driven by extensive needs for school. Overall, students are enthusiastic consumers who are eager to assert their independence, making the season a critical time for brands to build affinity with young consumers. Value will be a necessity amidst limited budgets and compressed timeframes, but brand loyalty and social commerce will create opportunities for engagement.”– Brittany Steiger, Senior Analyst, Retail & eCommerce
• Nursery and Baby Equipment Retailing - UK  
  Nursery and Baby Equipment Retailing - UK

  

  "Mounting inflationary pressures have pushed value high up on consumers’ agenda. While some parents will tighten their purse strings by trading down to discounters, especially with big-ticket items such as pushchairs, there are opportunities for nursery and baby equipment retailers to expand their value proposition, incorporating values beyond price to incentivise trading up. The second-hand market presents a lucrative revenue stream that retailers can explore, tapping into the trend of value seeking as well as circular consumption. Online retail will also see a boost given the positive price perception associated with this channel."
• Back to School Shopping: K-12 - US  
  Back to School Shopping: K-12 - US

  

  “Back to school season is an essential shopping occasion for families and one that sets the tone for the rest of the year in retail. In recent years, the shopping cycle has been disrupted as families navigate the stress of the pandemic, supply shortages and now inflation. Rising prices dominated the mindset this year, leading to an emphasis on value and deal-seeking. In the coming year, the savings focus will persist as parents prioritize school shopping amid economic pressures.”– Brittany Steiger, Senior Analyst, Retail and eCommerce
• The Budget Food & Drink Shopper - Canada  
  The Budget Food & Drink Shopper - Canada

  

  "Canadians are feeling the pain of rampant food inflation. They are also angry about the rising cost of food and drink and many place blame at the feet of grocers and producers. This is leading to a crisis of confidence toward the industry. There is no easy solution as rising prices are the result of global issues that are not specific to Canada. That said, for shoppers, perception is reality and brands need to acknowledge consumers’ pain, take steps to show empathy and as they are help nourish Canadians in an affordable manner."
• Black Friday - UK  
  Black Friday - UK

  

  “Pressure on household finances amplified the role of Black Friday in 2022 with nearly half of consumers participating in the event (49%). During a time of heightened value-consciousness, Black Friday savings were naturally more important, which looking forward to 2023, will continue to ring true as finances remain under pressure. However, without reinvigoration Black Friday risks losing interest, with growing scepticism among shoppers about savings available during the event.”
• Mass Merchandisers - US  
  Mass Merchandisers - US

  

  “Consumers are drawn to mass merchandisers for the appeal of one-stop shopping and overall value. These days, affordability is top of mind, prompting consumers to switch to mass retailers in search of quality store brands and everyday essentials at low prices. Outside of price, convenience is king, and mass merchandisers will be uniquely positioned to deliver flexible shopping experiences in an omnichannel future.”– Brittany Steiger, Senior Analyst – Retail & eCommerce
• Foodservice in Retail - US  
  Foodservice in Retail - US

  

  “Foodservice is a key strategic focus for retailers as they compete with restaurants and other foodservice operators for consumer food dollars. Expanded menu options, streamlined ordering and easy pairing with fresh foods to be cooked at homes represent ways for retailers to leverage their own strengths and respond to consumer demand for convenient, freshly prepared meals.”
• Supermarkets - Spain  
  Supermarkets - Spain

  

  "With food prices rising at their fastest rate in more than 40 years, grocery shoppers are looking around to find the best deals and making lifestyle changes to deal with the extra demands on their household budgets, shopping more at discounters and buying more own-label products. Efforts to counter high food inflation and ease the financial pressure on household budgets will be welcomed by consumers. Grocery retailers that go the extra mile to support customers during the cost-of-living crisis have the potential to build customer loyalty and sales."
• Supermarkets - Italy  
  Supermarkets - Italy

  

  "The cost of living crisis has changed the way Italians shop for groceries in the past year, with the big winners being the discounters, our research showing strong growth in the proportion shopping with them and also significant growth in the proportion using them for main, rather than top-up/secondary shops. But mainstream supermarkets are not giving up their customers easily, investing in expanding their own label ranges (our research shows switching from brands to own label is a common behaviour in the past year) and pushing their loyalty schemes as another way of saving money. Sustainability, at risk of falling down the consumer agenda with such a focus on price, has a role to play still, with reducing food waste another way for people to save money. Grocery shoppers would like to see retailers go further in this area by dropping best-before dates on certain food and drink items and for them to generally be more proactive in helping them find ways to save money. Looking ahead, the challenge for discounters will be retaining the customers won during the crisis but this is not something they are going to have to face for a while, certainly not in 2023, as cost of living pressures are unlikely to ease significantly during the next year."