The household goods category is resilient amid economic disruption, driven by the essential nature of these products and consumers' reliance on them. Notably, 75% of consumers tend to stick to…
US
Retail
Household
simple
US Consumers’ Path to Purchase – Spotlight on Household Items: 2025
"Brands and retailers have multiple ways to spark discovery and build category knowledge. However, in the value-driven household category, offerings that genuinely upgrade daily life will capture today's consumer."
The household goods category is resilient amid economic disruption, driven by the essential nature of these products and consumers’ reliance on them. Notably, 75% of consumers tend to stick to the same brands/products when buying household items, highlighting the loyalty that exists in the category.
However, tariff-fueled inflation is leading to shifting consumer behaviors. Price comparison is common in the category, suggesting that consumers are still open to trading up and down when they perceive better value elsewhere. In response, established brands are refreshing icons (eg Brawny Man) to highlight their quality and protect their market share, while retailers focus on reward programs to strengthen consumer retention across age groups.
Looking ahead, the single biggest opportunity is for brands to move beyond pure function by embracing sensory wellbeing; brands can transform chores into moments of self-care through scent and ritual. The greatest threat is stubborn economic strain, which risks eroding disposable income and diminishing loyalty as shoppers trade up and down to private label or multipurpose products.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
Economic pressure and increasing price sensitivity
Evolving household roles are driving the need for gender-inclusive, adaptable marketing approaches
Digital discovery is shifting as shoppers turn to social media and AI platforms
Brand familiarity, loyalty rewards and product reviews are critical factors driving purchase decisions
Sustainability as a differentiating factor for the modern consumer
Innovative areas include omnichannel discovery, sensory-driven wellbeing, accessibility tech and cross-category collaborations
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
What you need to know
Outlook for consumers’ path to purchase – spotlight on household items
Opportunities
Guided discovery and learning
Seek well-rounded ethical credentials beyond green claims
Leverage the power of wellbeing
Inclusive loyalty ecosystems
THE MARKET
Market context
Redefine everyday living by going beyond product function
Technology is reshaping the consumer journey
THE CONSUMER
Shopping responsibility
Roles in the household are evolving
Graph 1: shopping responsibility, by gender and age, 2025
Items purchased
Quieter lifestyles lead to more time for the home
Graph 2: items purchased, by area, 2025
Discovery sources
Social media and AI platforms are key channels to engage younger shoppers
Graph 3: discovery sources, by age, 2025
Digital channels complement the role of the physical store in discovery
Gain meets younger consumers on Snapchat
Trusted sources for information
Drive discovery and knowledge through social media and AI platforms
Graph 4: trusted sources for information, by age, 2025
Shopping behaviors
Businesses must be strategic in their pricing strategies to remain competitive
Sustainability matters to the modern consumer
Sustainable certifications are foundational for certain brands
Factors influencing brand/retailer choice
Consumers tend to favor brands and products they recognize
Brawny reinforces its promise through the iconic Brawny Man
Appeal to middle-aged shoppers through rewards
Attitudes toward shopping for household items
From word-of-mouth to likes and shares: the new age of brand advocacy
Consumers seek validation when shopping
Public Goods encourages product reviews
Option overload is a pain point in the consumer journey, particularly for younger consumers
Graph 6: attitudes toward shopping for household items – any agree, by age, 2025
Leverage educational content to earn consumers’ trust
Ensueño simplifies laundry care
INNOVATION AND MARKETING
Arm & Hammer aligns with consumers’ behaviors
Downy launches new luxury-scented laundry beads
Laundry brand DedCool partners with Free People Movement
Air Wick creates scent-inspired mood boards
all free clear makes laundry easier for those with low vision or blindness
APPENDIX
The consumer
Consumer research questions
Consumer research methodology
TURF methodology
How to read: TURF analysis
US generation groups
Abbreviations
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