Inflation accelerated in January: Rising prices of eggs, chocolate, and other goods keep costs in the spotlight, potentially squeezing discretionary spending and pressuring retailers.
DoorDash vows to invest more in expansion: Strong Q4 revenues and orders boost momentum, but inflation and tariffs pose risks.
Burger King gave consumers a reason to spend in Q4: Limited-time menu options, such as Addams Family-themed items, along with the Million Dollar Whopper campaign, boosted US same-store sales 1.5%.
CPG companies need a new play: Relying too heavily on price hikes isn’t sustainable—companies need to focus on innovation to keep consumers buying.
47% of restaurant operators plan to add discounts, deals or value promotions this year: But McDonald’s disappointing results highlight the challenges of that strategy.
A lot happens in a week, so every Friday we're going to analyze all the new data and provide you with some of the key takeaways. Welcome to the Friday 5. This week, price comparisons drive online shopping, consumers consider their grocery necessities, and retail media proves its effectiveness to consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands.
Beauty demand is falling back to earth: While beauty spending has been incredibly resilient, consumers are gradually becoming more price-conscious in their buying habits.
Chipotle and Taco Bell’s same-store sales grew around 5% in Q4: Chipotle’s smoked brisket and Taco Bell’s nostalgic menu items proved to be customer magnets.
PepsiCo leans on value, healthier snacks to drive sales in 2025: But the CPG company expects growth to be muted as consumers focus on price.
Estée Lauder expects net sales to fall up to 12% this quarter: That exceeds the 6.8% decline analysts forecast and shows the need to adapt amid deep staff cuts.
Hy-Vee promotes head of retail media to be CMO: The fast-growing sector is providing a new path to corporate leadership.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of January. Each month, our analysts Arielle Feger, Becky Schilling, and Sara Lebow (aka The Committee) put together a very unofficial list of the top eight retailers they're watching based on which are making the most interesting moves: Who's launching new initiatives? Which partnerships are moving the needle? Which standout marketing campaigns are being created? In this month's episode, Committee members Analyst Arielle Feger and Senior Analyst Sara Lebow will defend their list against Senior Analyst Zak Stambor and Analyst Rachel Wolff, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.
The explosive rise of dupe videos—where shoppers hunt for budget versions of luxury items—is reshaping how retailers compete for customers. With rising financial pressures, shoppers are increasingly turning to store brands and lower-priced alternatives that mimic higher-end products. This shift is not just a matter of necessity but has also evolved into a culture where consumers proudly share their budget-friendly finds.
Estée Lauder scrutinizes portfolio as losses pile up: The beauty company may sell some brands as it expands its presence on Amazon to reignite growth.
Grocery is the second-largest ecommerce category we track, garnering $220.48 billion in 2025, according to our “US Digital Grocery Forecast 2025” report. Walmart is the top digital grocery retailer, capturing 31.6% of US grocery ecommerce sales in 2025, followed by Amazon (22.6%) and Kroger (8.6%).
Starbucks’ turnaround takes shape: While US comp sales fell for the fourth-straight quarter, CEO Brian Niccol is confident that investments in the store and worker experience will bear fruit.
Trader Joe’s opened 34 new stores last year: The grocer is rapidly expanding to capitalize on consumers' appetite for private labels and value.
From avatars to real-life purchases: Roblox’s branded worlds deliver deeper consumer interaction and emerging 3D ad standards for marketers.
ShopMy gains traction in making creator marketing measurable: The platform, which is used by more than 550 brands, raised $77.5 million at a $410 million valuation.
On today's podcast episode, we discuss the most interesting 2025 retail trends that we heard at NRF, and expect to hear at eTail, ShopTalk, and other events. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Chief Content Officer Zia Daniell Wigder and Vice President Suzy Davidkhanian.