Consumer Trends

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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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    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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    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
  • A man holds smiles with an open mouth at the camera as he holds up a sign reading "reciprocal tariffs" and listing multiple countries and percentage amounts.
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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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    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
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    gradyreese via Getty Images
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    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 • March 27, 2025
  • Beyoncé stands next to stacked clothing dryers and wears a cowboy hat for a Levi's campaign
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    Courtesy of Levi's
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    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 • March 27, 2025
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    Courtney Hale via Getty Images
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    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
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    Gen Alpha tweens hold significant sway over parents’ purchases: study

    Gen Alpha is emerging as a luxury-focused generation, with 68% owning a luxury product by the age of 10.

    By Sara Karlovitch • March 25, 2025
  • A mall parking lot in South Portland, Maine, is mostly devoid of cars as the COVID-19 pandemic forces most retailers to close.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    5 years after pandemic lockdowns, is retail back to normal?

    Stores are open, inventory is flowing and inflation is down. But today’s uncertainty and destabilization are making consumers anxious.

    By • March 24, 2025
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    Sam Silverstein/Retail Dive
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    Target adds 2,000 products to baby assortment

    The revamp is the latest over the last year as the retailer focuses on newness to grow share across its merchandising portfolio.

    By Nate Delesline III • March 21, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Walmart expands premium beauty options

    The retail giant also announced the four brands that will participate in its third beauty accelerator program, Walmart Start.

    By • March 21, 2025
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    Bevan Goldswain via Getty Images
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    Resale’s popularity in the US could offer hedge against tariffs

    ThredUp’s chief strategy officer says preowned clothing sales are “effectively domesticating the supply chain.”

    By Lara Ewen • March 21, 2025
  • Target employee.
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    Courtesy of Target
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    E-commerce is here to stay after a push from the pandemic

    Retailers quickly enhanced their e-commerce and mobile offerings as the pandemic took hold. It worked, shifting consumer expectations along the way.

    By Nate Delesline III • March 20, 2025
  • A dark blue flag that reads "Old Navy" in white block letters hands vertically on a building in New York City, shown in the righ of a photo. Another building is on the left, with blue sky in the middl
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Old Navy quietly debuts occasionwear

    Prices start at about $25, answering demand for affordable dresses for weddings, parties and proms.

    By • March 19, 2025
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    Brothers91 via Getty Images
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    Tariffs trigger ‘horrific’ plunge in consumer sentiment

    Federal Reserve officials, scheduled to assess monetary policy this week, will likely zero in on a jump in long-term inflation expectations.

    By Jim Tyson • March 17, 2025
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    Courtesy of The Container Store
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    Retail’s home sector has yet to find steady ground

    The category experienced both highs and lows since the pandemic hit. But as sales start to tick up once again, retailers face new challenges.

    By • March 17, 2025
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    Kaarin Vembar/Retail Dive
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    US immigration policy could hurt off-pricers

    Burlington, TJX and Ross stand to benefit from tariffs and consumer angst, but one of their most important customer bases is under extreme pressure.

    By • March 13, 2025