American consumers have shown remarkable resilience as the economy has rebounded from the depths of the pandemic. Overall spending has remained robust, despite elevated inflation and rising interest rates. But that could be changing. Lower-income consumers have started to show cracks in demand, and that ... READ MORE >
consumer products
Consumer products M&A insights
The market for mergers and acquisitions in the consumer products industry has cooled from the frothy levels of a year ago. Closed deal activity slowed for the fourth consecutive quarter, according to data from PitchBook. This trend has continued as investors remain cautious given the uncertain economic ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: Thanksgiving holiday sees consumers continue to spend
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, consumers showed they are not yet ready to pull back on the robust spending that has driven economic activity over the last three years. Consumers equipped with $1.8 trillion of excess savings, compared with the first quarter in 2020 (approximately 80% held by the upper two ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: The return of the shopper
The shift of the coronavirus crisis from a pandemic to an endemic state has brought with it the return of the holiday shopper and traveler. Consumers continued to demonstrate a willingness to spend against inflation headwinds with holiday-focused retailer sales in October 2022 coming in at 6.45% ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: Retailers’ stocks are full going into the holidays
Retailers’ inventory levels are heavy going into the holiday season as supply chain pressures eased (evidenced by the latest readings in the RSM US Supply Chain Index) and consumer demand shifted away from products and toward experiences. Consumer goods companies have discounted product to right-size ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: Retail holiday shopping expected to be strong this year
With the holiday shopping season already begun, RSM forecasts nominal retail sales from October through December to increase between 6.5% and 8.0% on a year-over-year basis. Given that October retail sales are set to be released on Nov. 16—and because of a shift in consumer and retailer shopping ... READ MORE >
Consumer products M&A insights from the third quarter
Based on information available as of Oct. 23, 2022 from PitchBook Data, Inc., consumer products closed deal activity continued to slow, contracting for the third consecutive quarter. Current economic challenges, including inflationary pressures and the resulting shift in consumer discretionary spending, ... READ MORE >
Back-to-school consumer business outlook: The savvy shopper
In our four-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts explore back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. This week we focus on how consumers are adjusting shopping habits this season. With consumers feeling the tightening of their monthly budgets and impact to their ... READ MORE >
Consumer products M&A posts second straight quarterly slowdown
Deal activity in the consumer products sector contracted for the second consecutive quarter to the lowest level since third quarter of 2020, based on information available through July 22. The slowdown comes as market uncertainty curtailed deal urgency and valuations, and as participants continued to ... READ MORE >
Back-to-school consumer business outlook: Return of the discount
In our four-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts explore back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. This week we focus on how retailers are leveraging discount strategies. During the COVID-19 pandemic retailers and wholesalers faced supply chain disruptions and ... READ MORE >