Electrical Goods Retailing - UK  

“Spending on electricals rose again in 2019. However, the marketplace is changing, marked by the contrasting trajectories of online-only and specialist retailers. Consumer demand is increasingly dictated by the widening gulf between young and old shoppers. The fluid nature of the former opened several avenues for growth in the past year; however multichannel retailers must be proactive in addressing these, or risk a generation of consumers that bypass the store altogether.”

Sales & Promotional Events - US  

"Most consumers shop during sales and promotional events throughout the year, driven by the need to find value in their purchases. The definition of value is subjective and can stem from saving money, saving time and energy, or even receiving a superior product or experiences. These nuances ultimately shape how consumers adjust their shopping behaviors during sales, the specific events they choose to participate in, and the types of promotions they prefer."

- Madelyn Franz, Reports Analyst

• The Circular Economy - US  
  The Circular Economy - US

  

  "Circular retail options (eg rentals and reselling) aren’t just a trend; they’re a new way of shopping consumers will consider more often and for a wider variety of purchases. Although it’s difficult to determine the size of the circular market, one thing is certain; interest is high across many categories both in renting and resale. Pride of ownership is decreasing and giving way to more flexible options that are not only sustainable, but allow consumers to focus on experiences over goods, something that many view more valuable than owning or buying new. Expect to see more retailers enter the market, both on their own or through partnerships, and as retailer expansion continues, so will the types of products offered."
• Hispanics and Shopping at Mass Merchandisers - US  
  Hispanics and Shopping at Mass Merchandisers - US

  

  "Hispanics almost universally shop at mass merchandisers; Walmart and Target are far ahead of the rest. Hispanics associate Walmart with good value and a vast product selection, while a pleasant store environment is more top-of-mind for Target. Mass merchandisers continue to adapt to modern consumers’ needs in order to ensure broad appeal for all types of shoppers. They are focused on physical stores (eg opening smaller formats in urban areas, remodeling existing stores and optimizing the product mix) and also expanding ecommerce. As Hispanics are late adopters of online shopping, the in-store experience is more important for reaching these consumers."
• Black Consumers and Shopping at Mass Merchandisers - US  
  Black Consumers and Shopping at Mass Merchandisers - US

  

  "Some 98% of Black consumers have shopped at a mass merchandiser within the last year, making these stores the primary location where they can fulfill their shopping for multiple personal and household needs at competitive prices. Some stores have a reputation as being upscale and hip while other stores are considered crowded but cheap, which drives a brand narrative, but Black consumers primarily associate mass merchandisers with offering a good value due to a large product mix and low prices, which drives their choice of where to shop."
• Optical Goods Retailing - UK  
  Optical Goods Retailing - UK

  

  “This is a highly concentrated sector, dominated by three major retail brands. Specsavers has been mopping up independent retailers and has now reached 900 UK outlets, raising the question of how much more growth is realistic for this highly successful business. Vision Express took a leap forward with the acquisition of Tesco Opticians in 2017, bringing its store numbers up to almost 600, and Boots Opticians continues to benefit from the heritage strength of its parent company brand. More than 100 independents have taken shelter by joining the Hakim Group and only a handful of smaller chains demonstrate an appetite for growth. Meanwhile the long-awaited growth of online selling is becoming a reality. Shopping online for contact lenses can offer considerable savings, but none of the healthcare that an optician delivers, while online selling of glasses is beginning to benefit from digital developments that allow customers to visualise how they will look in their glasses.”
• UK Car Review - UK  
  UK Car Review - UK

  

  “The UK car market is passing through a difficult period with combined new and used sales down for a third successive year in 2019. Conditions are not expected to improve in the short-term placing the focus of attention on how best to understand and work with the demands of buyers in both new and used markets.”– Neil Mason, Retail Category Director
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Europe  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Europe

  

  “Growth in the beauty and personal care industry is expected to continue unabated in 2020, in part boosted by technological advancements supporting tailored products and experiences. We anticipate that the most successful retailers will be those that ensure they stay in tune with what consumers want, especially when it comes to sustainability, natural ingredients and experiential retailing.”– Armando Falcao, European Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Italy  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Italy

  

  “Consumer spending on beauty and personal care in Italy has been rising for the past six years but has seen a slowdown in the past two years, with retail sales stagnating in 2018. Nevertheless, the leading specialists have continued to outperform the market, and although Italians appear to remain sensitive to price, both specialists and non-specialists have been showing a stronger focus on sustainability, simplicity and experiential retail in an attempt to remain competitive.”– Armando Falcao, European Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - France  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - France

  

  “French beauty and personal care specialists are operating in a tough environment – demand is weak and competition is growing from online. Retailers are investing in in-store tech and innovations that blend with the digital world, increasing their omnichannel integration. Services that have the human touch are also helping to make the store an appealing way to shop for beauty. Sephora is the market leader, twice as big as its nearest rival, and is particularly advanced in these respects. Environmental and ethical issues are growing in importance and our research shows that this is an area where retailers need to be responding. In future, the clean beauty category looks ripe for success and retailers need to be part of this.”– Natalie Macmillan, Senior European Retail Analyst
• Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Spain  
  Beauty and Personal Care Retailing - Spain

  

  “Beauty and personal care specialists in Spain have been focusing on strengthening their ecommerce presence, but they continue to face strong competition from non-specialist retailers across the board. They are turning their attention back to their stores to improve the multichannel shopping experience, hoping to entice consumers with new tech features while also satisfying their growing concerns about the environment and sustainability.”– Armando Falcao, European Retail Analyst
• Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - UK  
  Amazon: Creating an Ecosystem - UK

  

  “Amazon is the largest non-food retailer in the UK, but in truth it is far more than a retailer; it is also a leading video and streaming provider, a significant consumer electronics producer and much more. The unprecedented success of this not even 30 year old business has come from not only creating success in multiple disciplines with distinct consumer bases, but also creating an ecosystem in which its customers buy into multiple aspects of its business.”
• Back to School Shopping - US  
  Back to School Shopping - US

  

  "Consumers spend more than $80 billion getting themselves and their children ready to go back to school. They’re mission oriented and bargain hungry and favor retailers who can help them accomplish their goals of saving time and/or money. While BTS (back to school) is a busy time, most shoppers have an optimistic mindset toward it and think it’s fun. A scenario in which consumers have open wallets and open minds creates the perfect environment for retailers to amplify the fun aspect through experiential retailing, build customer relationships and establish loyalties that can last far after the school year begins."