US Market Research

"Several years after the recession, the economy is stronger, and people are beginning to work, to buy and to live more freely again. Unfortunately for retailers looking to make a profit, consumers’ expectations for fair prices have not waned."

- Diana Smith, Senior Research Analyst - Retail & Apparel

"Retailers across channels are battling for a share of wallets and cash registers, creating what might be the most “crowded” segment in retail. Consumers are enjoying these options and fulfilling their grocery shopping needs by bouncing around to multiple stores that most definitely include ...

"Currently estimated at about $61 billion, Black expenditures on groceries (including food and drink, general merchandise, and health and beauty items) have been increasing since coming off the 2007-09 recession, though growth from 2012-15 has been moderate."

- Tonya Roberts, Multicultural Analyst

"While some consumers view the gluten-free diet as a fad, gluten-free food consumption continues to trend upward, fueled mostly by its general health halo, and also as a treatment for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. Market competition continues to heat up as manufacturers both ...

"After some stagnant years, the character merchandising sector is coming back to life. That’s due in part to 2013’s Frozen heating up the sector. The LEGO Movie also helped spur results, causing LEGO’s sales to jump in the first half of 2014 and allowing it to overtake Mattel as the world’s ...

"Parents continue to struggle with issues related to sizing and would likely welcome solutions that address this. In-store shopping is preferred over online shopping given that parents often need their children to try on clothes, but online purchasing should become more prevalent in the future."

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"Compared to older generations, Millennials exhibit a unique set of behaviors regarding their eating and food shopping habits. They prioritize health and freshness, have a foodie mentality at home and away, and shop for food across a variety of retail channels. Additionally, Millennials distrust ...

"While jewelry comprises the vast majority of purchases, watches should gain momentum as consumers’ interest in smartwatches builds. Fine jewelry has a slight edge over fashion/costume jewelry, and diamonds and gold continue to be favored. Although watches and jewelry preferences are highly ...

"Retailers have their work cut out for them during the 2015 winter holiday season given that 2014 was touted as one of the strongest in recent years. However, positive economic factors like higher consumer confidence, lower gas prices, and an improving job market signal that comping over 2014 is ...