Consumer Trends

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    Online retailers in the US spent an average of $400k on AI last year

    Despite aiming that investment at customer experience, 30% of executives told Storyblok that the tech only slightly improved the shopper’s experience.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 29, 2025
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Consumer expectations plunge at fastest pace since 1990 recession

    “Some measures of expectations on both the business and consumer fronts look outright recessionary,” Goldman Sachs Chief Economist Jan Hatzius said.

    By Jim Tyson • April 28, 2025
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    Trendline

    How artificial intelligence is shaping retail

    More retailers are leaning on AI as a tool, tapping into the tech to improve customer service and support supply chain functions.

    By Retail Dive staff
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    97 via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Retail’s latest tariff challenge? Setting prices.

    New levies are shaping up to be a holiday tax on consumers already touchy about spending. Careful analysis and clear communication are key.

    By • April 28, 2025
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    Courtesy of Adidas
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Coty to cut 700 jobs, Adidas sports double-digit growth

    The cutbacks are part of the beauty conglomerate’s strategic transformation, while preliminary Q1 results show momentum from the sports retailer.

    By Retail Dive Staff • April 25, 2025
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: Talking tariffs with Supply Chain Dive

    Trade policy is ever-evolving, and hitting the retail industry especially hard. Phil Neuffer, senior editor at our sister publication, talks about covering the issue and where things stand today.

    By Retail Dive Staff • April 24, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Most consumers will pay 25% more for their favorite brands

    Positive customer experiences, consistent product quality and long-term brand familiarity drive greater loyalty, a UserTesting study found.

    By Michael Brady • April 23, 2025
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    Courtesy of Men's Wearhouse
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    Men’s Wearhouse expands ‘Made in USA’ program

    The “American Bespoke” collection was designed in partnership with Joseph Abboud and produced in the company’s Massachusetts factory.

    By Howard Ruben • April 21, 2025
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    Courtesy of Ulta Beauty
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    Billions of pretax healthcare funds go to waste each year. Retailers want to cash in.

    Some Americans lack an understanding of what products might be eligible FSA or HSA purchases, leaving money on the table for beauty retailers and period-care brands.

    By Dani James • April 21, 2025
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    SimonSkafar/E+ via Getty Images
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    Trade war puts US on ‘precipice’ of recession: Moody’s chief economist

    The U.S. economy will likely begin to shrink “unless policy takes a very sharp turn here pretty quickly,” Moody’s Chief Economist Mark Zandi said.

    By Jim Tyson • April 18, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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    Trade war set to impact electronics, other discretionary products hardest

    Small and medium-sized brands are poised to bear the negative brunt of increased tariffs on imports to the U.S., according to a new PitchBook report.

    By Dani James • April 16, 2025
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    Courtesy of Shoptalk
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    How retailers are connecting with younger shoppers

    From Sephora embracing its status as a Gen Alpha “playground” to Coach’s Gen Z-focused store concept, retailers are leaning in.

    By • April 16, 2025
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    The image by Kzoo Cowboy is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Moody’s downgrades retail’s outlook on ‘bleak’ prospects amid trade war

    Apparel and footwear are especially vulnerable and off-price less so, though the impact of tariffs is industrywide, Moody’s Ratings analysts said Monday.

    By • April 15, 2025
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    iStock via Getty Images
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    As beauty continues to grow, TikTok Shop and Amazon will gain share

    That comes at the expense of drugstores, department stores, mass merchandisers and even specialty beauty retailers, per TD Cowen.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 15, 2025
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    LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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    Nike is still winning the teen market

    The athletics brand ranked top for apparel and footwear, while beauty spending reached its highest ever, according to Piper Sandler's latest report.

    By • April 14, 2025
  • A Foxconn employee walks outside the factory complex holding a smartphone in one hand and a work ID badge in the other, with the manufacturing facility visible in the background, on April 12, 2025 in Shenzhen, China.
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    Cheng Xin via Getty Images
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    Trump excludes some electronics from reciprocal tariffs

    Smartphones and electronic integrated circuits now qualify for the “semiconductor” exemption, but officials say sector-specific duties are coming.

    By Edwin Lopez • April 14, 2025
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Consumer sentiment plummets, inflation expectations soar amid trade war

    “There’s been a sharp decline in consumer sentiment, and business sentiment measures have weakened too,” New York Federal Reserve Bank President John Williams said.

    By Jim Tyson • April 14, 2025
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Retail Dive
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    Tariffs are the latest test of beleaguered US consumers

    Before the expansive levies were announced, spending power was already weakened by high prices and rising debt, among other forces, analysts say.

    By • April 8, 2025
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    Dani James/Retail Dive
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    Deep Dive

    The enduring appeal of pens and paper in a digital era

    Analog forms of communication are far from dead. U.S. indie brands are capitalizing on a dedicated customer base that has had to look abroad for special stationery goods. 

    By Dani James • April 7, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Hudson’s Bay hunts for a buyer and tariffs hit apparel hard

    The department store is soliciting offers for part or all of its business. Meanwhile, one analyst said new tariffs put “all 2025 guidance at risk.”

    By Retail Dive Staff • April 4, 2025
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    Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
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    Deep Dive

    Fashion industry reacts to sweeping tariff changes

    Experts say the new policies are likely to raise prices and weaken consumer confidence, and are unlikely to bring U.S. manufacturing back.

    By Lara Ewen • April 4, 2025
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    kali9 via Getty Images
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    NRF expects ‘slower trajectory for consumer spending’ in 2025 as tariffs fuel uncertainty, inflation fears

    Retail sales could grow 3.7% at best — or well under 3% — as many consumers reach the limits of their spending power, the trade group said.

    By • April 3, 2025
  • President Donald Trump waves to a crowd at the White House on April 2, 2025.
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    Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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    Trump installs 10% baseline tariff, country-specific duties

    The president said he will levy import taxes on China, Japan and others equal to half of what they charge the U.S. based on White House calculations.

    By Philip Neuffer • April 3, 2025
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    Permission granted by Shoptalk
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    Retail leaders sound off on AI’s use-cases

    From Toys R Us’ experimentation with video to Meta’s new ad capabilities, here’s how the tech is being used across the industry.

    By • April 2, 2025
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Consumer spending during Q1 to shrink for first time since pandemic

    “Stockpiling ahead of potential tariff implementation on a wide range of consumer goods could lead to a pullback in goods spending later this year,” the Conference Board said.

    By Jim Tyson • April 1, 2025
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    Igor Alecsander via Getty Images
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    A look back on COVID-19’s impact on retail

    The pandemic has had lasting effects on the industry, including altering operations and resetting consumer expectations.

    By Retail Dive Staff • March 31, 2025