On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why 7-Eleven is opening more stores even as foot traffic falls, explore its next engine of growth, and consider some bold moves that could help future-proof the convenience store giant. Listen to the discussion with Vice President of Content and host Suzy Davidkhanian, Senior Analyst Blake Droesch, and Principal Analyst Sarah Marzano.

Our exclusive research reveals what factors are influencing the path to purchase for personal care and beauty products.

Consumers are approaching the holiday season with restraint: 27% of US adults expect to spend less from October to December, while 22% spend more, per a July survey from Experian and ad platform GroundTruth. Discounters and value-oriented retailers should be well-positioned to draw holiday sales from consumers. Still, retailers chasing growth during the make-or-break holiday season will need to drive and reward value-seeking behavior. That means their marketing must be aligned with shopping behaviors. Messaging should spotlight value and affordability. Marketing campaigns should be stretched across the extended shopping season, not just concentrated on big events like Black Friday. Promotions and loyalty perks should be used to reward value seekers.

The trend: Nearly one-quarter of patients (24%) who are pleased with the quality of their recent medical care may still change doctors in the next 6 months, according to a new survey from Huron Consulting Group. Our take: People used to have limited options for healthcare and just went with whatever was in their insurance network. But things are changing, and providers can no longer bet on this. To compete with new tech-savvy healthcare companies, traditional clinics and health systems need to adapt. While they may not be able to match them completely, they should at least adopt some of the features that patients want.

As parents prepare their kids for the new school year, they’re tightening budgets, reusing last year’s supplies, and looking for ways to efficiently check off their lists.

Ecommerce sales of pet products are expected to rise to nearly $50 billion annually in 2029, as pet owners look for affordable and convenient methods to purchase essentials for their pets.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss the ingredients of Walmart’s current recipe for success and the technology that’s most likely to propel them into the future. Listen to the conversation with our Senior Analyst Sara Lebow as she hosts Vice President of Content Suzy Davidkhanian and Analyst Rachel Wolff.

The news: Costco plans to open a standalone gas station next spring in Mission Viejo, a city in Orange County, California. The 40-pump station, which will be the membership club’s largest to date, will be about two miles from two existing Costco warehouses—one of which already has a gas station. Our take: Costco is investing in ways to reinforce the value of membership, and fuel is central to that equation. If this off-site station succeeds, it could set the stage for a broader rollout of standalone locations—especially in high-traffic markets. The move could also prompt rivals like Sam’s Club to follow suit as competition in the warehouse club space heats up.

Convenience matters, but today's cost-conscious consumers demand quality too. This shift forces marketers to rethink convenience's role in purchase decisions. Both online and physical retailers prioritize seamless experiences, but with different challenges. Brick-and-mortar stores struggle to deliver convenience, while ecommerce faces growing price sensitivity. Here are five key stats that reveal how consumers view convenience in 2025.

Half a decade out from the pandemic, retail has firmly established its “new normal,” one where consumers seek spaces they can relax, people return to the office, and wellness remains a focus. Here are four trends illustrating where consumers are spending their time and how those changes impact retail.

Sam’s Club's efforts to streamline its shopping experience pay off: It soared past Costco to place first in this year's customer satisfaction rankings for general merchandise retailers.

On today’s podcast episode, we discuss why mega-pharmacies are struggling, why 7-Eleven is closing and opening a lot of stores, and what the new model of convenience will look like. Tune in to the discussion with Senior Director of Podcasts and host Marcus Johnson and Senior Analysts Blake Droesch and Rajiv Leventhal.

Grocery prices remain front of mind for many consumers: That presents an opportunity for value-oriented merchants such as Aldi, Target, and Walmart to steal share by offering low prices for Thanksgiving staples.

Real-time payments allow individuals and businesses to send and receive payments between bank accounts simultaneously. The process described below occurs instantaneously upon initiation.

Sensei raises $16 million in seed round: The retail tech provider has its sights set on bringing automated, contactless stores to Europe.

Olive Garden inks delivery partnership with Uber following parent Darden Restaurants’ poor quarter: The company missed sales and earnings expectations as consumers cut back on restaurant visits.

Retail mcommerce is a $542.73 billion opportunity in the US this year, growing 11.7%. To maintain that growth and attract mobile shoppers, retailers will have to create seamless smartphone and app buying journeys, invest in loyalty programs to retain users, and prove that the mobile experience stands up against desktop.

Since the pandemic, online ordering and delivery have become table stakes for the grocery industry. Retailers like Albertsons have begun to develop tools and capabilities that provide added value for customers, focusing on creating a more convenient experience. “Consumers think about food 226 times a day, that’s a lot of cognitive load,” said Jill Pavlovich, senior vice president of digital shopping experiences at Albertsons Cos. “So we want to take the experience from a transactional one to a helpful set of tools that can help people manage this.” Albertsons leveraged customer data to identify areas for improvement across its website and mobile app.

Walmart’s market share gains continued in Q1 as the retailer emphasizes value and convenience: The company continues to draw in more high-income shoppers, while its advertising and marketplace offerings boost revenues.

B2B is the largest segment of overall US payment volume, holding roughly five times that of consumer payments. It has been slower to digitize than the consumer sector, but finally passed the tipping point during the pandemic. Even now, almost a third of the market is up for grabs.