The Dutch retailer plans to open 100 stores, betting on trade-down trends despite fierce dollar-store dominance.

Foot traffic trends softened retail in Q3, a potentially troubling sign for holiday spending, according to our Industry KPI data from Placer.ai. The four categories tracked—discount and dollar stores, grocers, department stores, and home improvement stores—had slower growth from July to September, providing more evidence that consumers are feeling the strain of higher living costs. The data points to a rocky year-end for department stores and home improvement retailers, which have struggled this year to overcome sluggish consumer sentiment and uneven spending. At the same time, retailers that offer necessities and can deliver clear value are positioned to win.

Dollar and discount retailers are gaining share as low prices draw more middle- and high-income shoppers. Dollar Tree added 3 million households to its customer count in Q3, most earning over $100,000, while Dollar General saw higher-income customer growth and broader market-share gains. Five Below’s strong Q3 comps reflected new shoppers and bigger baskets. All three raised full-year outlooks. But much of their growth stems from higher prices, not traffic, and core low-income shoppers remain strained. To sustain momentum, retailers must improve store experience and appearance, ensure pricing accuracy, and invest in convenience through delivery partnerships.

Shoppers’ search for value is steering them to budget-friendly retailers—off-price chains, dollar stores, and other discounters—that benefited from a surge in sales and traffic in Q2. Value is top-of-mind for today’s consumer, regardless of income level. That’s good news for discounters and dollar stores, which are ideally placed to benefit from consumers’ financial anxieties. However, risks such as renewed tariffs or dips in consumer confidence mean retailers need to carefully manage their assortments and pricing.

Dollar Tree’s market share is growing as consumers across incomes prioritize value: The retailer sees strong prospects as it offloads Family Dollar and expands its multi-price assortment.

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, teens want ads with products in action, consumers aren’t giving brands negative feedback, and St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t interest consumers as much as other holidays.

Dollar General’s core customer is under considerable financial strain: Many shoppers can only afford basic essentials as inflation and economic uncertainty take their toll.

Dollar General Media Network (DGMN) has partnered with experiential retail media platform Recess on a sampling program that reaches consumers outside of the store, in their communities.

Department stores face an uphill battle as discounters, online retailers take share: Our Industry KPIs show foot traffic declined during the holiday season, emphasizing the sector’s challenges.

Kraft Heinz expects US consumers’ trade-down behaviors to linger into 2025: The CPG company hopes to offset private labels’ rise with pop-culture partnerships, new products, and increased distribution in dollar and club stores.

Dollar General’s Popshelf format announces app, loyalty, and store updates to attract wealthier shoppers: The retailer will also close all locations in DG Market stores after the assortment failed to win over the dollar store’s core customer base.

Temu is eating away at dollar stores’ market share: Dollar General and Dollar Tree face significant headwinds as their core customer base reduces spending and competition mounts.

Dollar store consumers, especially lower-income households, are facing financial difficulties, relying on credit cards to cover necessities. Retailers like Dollar General and Dollar Tree are focusing on pricing and promotions to keep customers shopping, but there has been a decline in discretionary spending from middle- and high-income consumers, who may be turning to mass retailers like Walmart.

Coca-Cola is increasing its investment in digital media channels to appeal to Gen Z, while Gap is focused on creating more story-forward, culturally relevant marketing campaigns. To cut costs, Procter and Gamble is using AI to improve order fulfillment and reduce ad waste, and Starbucks eyes growth in delivery. Here are five insights into how companies are adjusting strategies this year.

Many retailers are predicting that consumer spending patterns in 2024 could be similar to 2023—pulling back on discretionary categories and sometimes essentials like groceries. So far, discount and dollar stores have benefited from tightened consumer spending, but that success isn’t guaranteed in the new year. Here’s how three low-price retailers are planning to appeal to consumers and keep sales up in the months ahead.

This year was challenging for retailers as inflation kept prices high and consumers cut back on spending. But there were a few bright spots, as some in-store shopping rebounded and retail media boomed. Here’s some advice for retailers on how to use in-store experiences and retail media to their advantage.

Mobile is driving ecommerce sales growth, with 43.2% of the $1.137 trillion in US ecommerce sales we project for this year. As mcommerce sales rise, retailers are innovating to get a piece of the $491.14 billion pie. Mobile commerce will be especially vital this holiday season. Some 79% of US online shoppers shopped via mobile during the Cyber Five last year, according to Bizrate Insights data cited in a Forrester report.

Discount stores are on an expansion tear: Amid growing sales, Dollar General, Five Below, and Dollar Tree plan to open more stores this year.

Another eventful year is on tap for retailers as inflation forces consumers to prioritize basics, supply chain snarls continue, and customer loyalty wanes. Retailers that cut costs or add new revenue streams—and provide frictionless customer experiences—will prevail.

Walmart courts affluent audiences to make up for shoppers trading down: But the retailer’s attempts to grow its Walmart+ membership base look increasingly desperate.