By focusing on deals, value, and experiences, retailers can build a perception of value that resonates with discerning consumers. “The unremarkable retailers and brands are going to struggle because consumers are only spending when it's enjoyable, when they derive some pleasure from the purchase,” our analyst Zak Stambor said on the ”Behind the Numbers” podcast.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss the unofficial list of the most interesting retailers for the month of May. 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 Arielle Feger and Sara Lebow will defend their list against analysts Sky Canaves and Zak Stambor, who will dispute the power rankings by attempting to move retailers up, down, on, or off the list.

Dupe culture goes mainstream: Target and e.l.f. Beauty are among the companies benefiting from Gen Zers’ affinity for cheaper versions of premium products.

Aldi retrofitted an existing store with checkout-free technology: The retailer wants to see if the frictionless shopping experience clicks with shoppers.

Traffic is up at Aldi and Lidl: With the cost of rent, car insurance, and electricity continuing to rise, consumers are looking to save on groceries.

On today's podcast episode, we discuss how the Apple monopoly trial could change the smartphone market, whether Aldi can take on Walmart, if gambling ads will get banned, the impact of Amazon's "Big Spring Sale," how seriously we should be taking drone delivery, where the happiest people in the world live, and more. Tune in to the discussion with our analyst Blake Droesch and vice presidents of content Suzy Davidkhanian and Paul Verna.

The fight for grocery dollars is heating up. Retailers that offer shoppers the right assortment of products at the lowest prices are likely to win. In order to keep dollar and discount stores from stealing share, other retailers need to borrow their pricing and merchandising strategies to connect with cash-strapped consumers.

Value is top of mind for grocery-shopping consumers: Aldi, Dollar General, Grocery Outlet, and Walmart will open more stores to attract cost-conscious shoppers.

The growth in retail media ad spending in these three countries will outpace all other formats for years to come. It’s thus gaining an important place at the ad budgeting table.

UK ecommerce sales have bounced back to steady growth as consumer spending remains resilient despite inflationary pressures. Most major categories will see a further shift online by 2027, bringing opportunities for ecommerce retailers.

US grocery ecommerce sales will grow 17.4% in 2024 to total $219.04 billion, according to our forecast. Meanwhile, UK grocery ecommerce sales will grow only 5.1% to total $37.06 billion in 2024. “At the end of the day, consumers in the US enjoy the conveniences of delivery, but they’re not necessarily willing to pay an exorbitant fee,” said our analyst Blake Droesch, emphasizing the perceived value of Walmart+ and Amazon Prime memberships to these shoppers.

Kroger’s sales sag as grocery prices stabilize: That new state of play could drive the grocer to look to high-margin retail media to drive growth.

UK retail sales are performing better than expected, with consumers still spending despite high inflation—but ecommerce will lose further share this year as shoppers continue returning to stores and cut nonessential spending.

Sales fulfilled via click and collect are growing faster than total ecommerce sales in the UK as cash-strapped consumers avoid delivery costs and retailers race to make their services faster, cheaper, and more efficient.

This year, the payments industry will face its first major test following pandemic-driven digitization as economic uncertainty pressures customer habits. This is the data you need to understand the major changes facing the payments ecosystem in 2023—and how to navigate them.

Inflation in the UK is easing but remains near a 40-year high. That’s tamping down consumer spending across all categories—with total retail sales set to grow by just 1.7% in 2023, versus a pre-pandemic growth rate of around 4%.

Amazon-owned Whole Foods is in expansion mode: While its parent company looks to cut costs, the high-end grocer sees an opportunity to attract consumers as they return to in-store shopping.

Which retailers and brands won (or lost) in 2022? Retailers that catered to the budget or luxury ends of the price spectrum did well, while those that dealt in discretionary categories like apparel and electronics saw the biggest drop-off in consumer spending.

Which retailers and brands will win (or lose) in 2023? Retailers that can offer value—either in terms of price or convenience—will continue to thrive, while those that cater to an increasingly squeezed middle class will struggle.