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."

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."
• Supermarkets - France  
  Supermarkets - France

  

  "The cost-of-living crisis is causing real pain for many French consumers and the grocery retailers have been competing for ways to support their customers and prevent them drifting to more value-led rivals. These have included price freezes on basic items, expanding own-label and new subscription-based loyalty schemes. Large-scale physical stores remain the dominant channel, but expansion of the discount store network, modernisation of the convenience sector and greater engagement in online grocery has served to reduce the dependence of French grocery shoppers on large format stores."
• Supermarkets - Europe  
  Supermarkets - Europe

  

  "The grocery sector retained momentum in 2021 across Europe as society only gradually opened up, and over 2022 inflation has resulted in higher turnover, despite many shoppers trading down or buying less. Food retailers’ sales increased across the continent and the sector still presents good prospects for retailers as the market is shaped by shifting consumer priorities. Coupled with satisfying the demand for good value, retailers also need to address the rising popularity of loyalty/membership schemes, greater sustainability awareness and interest in rapid delivery services."
• Living and Dining Room Furniture - UK  
  Living and Dining Room Furniture - UK

  

  “After experiencing a recovery during 2021, the short-term outlook for those involved with living and dining room furniture is expected to be challenging. Both expenditure and a propensity to purchase high-ticket items will be impacted. In surviving such challenges, a focus on value and exploitation of trends such as online demands and sustainability should be considered.”
• Parents' Online Shopping Habits - US  
  Parents' Online Shopping Habits - US

  

  “Parents are active and engaged online shoppers, turning to the convenience of ecommerce to save time and simplify their responsibilities. In the short term, parents are prioritizing value and savings amid inflationary pressures, driving value-seeking behaviors. Looking ahead, digital-native parents will be an important key demographic; they will look to retailers and brands to deliver personalized and immersive online experiences that aid discovery and enjoyment.”– Brittany Steiger, Senior Analyst, Retail & eCommerce
• Clothing Retailing - Spain  
  Clothing Retailing - Spain

  

  “Clothing sales are wavering, as the cost-of-living crisis squeezes household budgets, forcing many consumers to take a more cautious approach to buying clothes. Shoppers are leaning more towards retailers that have value at their core, and are apparently willing to abandon their once-preferred brands, and they are shifting from buying new to pre-owned clothing to satisfy their needs in a more cost-effective way. Clothing retailers will need to adapt their offering accordingly and consider alternative ways to lower the barrier to purchase.”– Stephen Mayles, Retail Analyst
• Clothing Retailing - Italy  
  Clothing Retailing - Italy

  

  “The cost of living crisis in Italy has forced consumers to reappraise and reprioritise their regular spending, with the result that sales of specialist clothing retailers are still some way below their pre-COVID levels. Competition from online-only generalists and specialists has also intensified, while around half of clothing shoppers say they have switched to a cheaper retailer in the past 12 months. With inflationary pressures set to continue well into 2023, we anticipate a difficult few years for the sector, although there are still opportunities for specialist retailers to use their store estates to differentiate their offer and to explore ways in which they can help their customers save money through second-hand and rental propositions.”– Michael, Senior Retail Analyst