Consumer Trends
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Courtesy of Adidas
ColumnThe 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 -
Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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 -
Explore the Trendline➔
Zapp2photo via Getty Images
TrendlineHow 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 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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 -
Courtesy of Men’s Wearhouse
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 -
Courtesy of Ulta Beauty
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 -
SimonSkafar/E+ via Getty Images
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 -
Anna Moneymaker / Staff via Getty Images
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 -
Courtesy of Shoptalk
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 Cara Salpini • April 16, 2025 -
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 Daphne Howland • April 15, 2025 -
iStock via Getty Images
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 -
LeoPatrizi via Getty Images
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 Xanayra Marin-Lopez • April 14, 2025 -
Cheng Xin via Getty Images
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 -
Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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 -
Catherine Douglas Moran/Retail Dive
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 Daphne Howland • April 8, 2025 -
Dani James/Retail Dive
Deep DiveThe 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 -
Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Deep DiveFashion 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 -
kali9 via Getty Images
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 Daphne Howland • April 3, 2025 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by Shoptalk
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 Cara Salpini • April 2, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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 -
Igor Alecsander via Getty Images
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 -
gradyreese via Getty Images
Consumers are buying more from generative AI’s suggestions: Adobe
A report highlighted that using generative AI tools for shopping leads customers to more purchases in electronics and jewelry.
By Xanayra Marin-Lopez • March 27, 2025 -
Courtesy of Levi’s
Levi’s CEO: ‘If the wallet’s tighter, then we have to work harder’
Pickier shoppers just means higher execution is needed from the denim brand, Michelle Gass said. But a little help from Beyoncé never hurts.
By Cara Salpini • March 27, 2025 -
Courtney Hale via Getty Images
Consumer expectations for future plunge to 12-year low on tariff anxiety
Pessimism about price pressures rose, with expectations for inflation in 12 months increasing to 6.2% this month from 5.8% in February, the Conference Board said.
By Jim Tyson • March 25, 2025
