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 >
holiday shopping
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 >
Back-to-school consumer business outlook: Did consumers pull back on spending?
In our four-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts explore back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. In our final post, we provide a look back at spending habits and what’s to come for the holidays. As we enter the second half of September and with students back in ... READ MORE >
Holiday inventory problem: Some firms are better prepared than others
As supply chain bottlenecks continue to plague the economy, hampering output and raising prices, many analysts have warned that there will not be enough goods in stock for the holiday shopping season. Our new RSM US Supply Chain Index also reached a two-decade low in October, pointing to a problem ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: Lessons to learn as retailers look to 2022
Successful execution on an omnichannel strategy is no longer enough for middle market retailers. Yes, it’s important to meet and sell to clients where they are whether it’s in a store or online, but it’s also essential for retailers that these channel efforts be profitable, especially amid this year’s ... READ MORE >
Consumers signal strong start to holiday spending; how will it end?
The increase in October retail sales at 1.7% month over month beat estimates of 1.4%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For further perspective and to reduce the noise and focus on holiday season sales, we saw a 12.9% increase year over year for retail sales, excluding food services, gas, building ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: Where will they shop?
As we move closer to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and the traditional peak holiday shopping season, where consumers plan to complete their holiday shopping has been a topic of discussion from retailers to analysts. As noted by the National Retail Federation, holiday sales this year are anticipated to ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: Help wanted
All industries are grappling with labor shortages and the retail sector is no different. Most retailers have already started ramping up for the holiday shopping season as consumers begin their holiday spending earlier and earlier each year. For instance, at the end of September, according to Bloomberg, ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: What will they buy?
Consumer behavior has never been more diverse, volatile and difficult to predict this holiday season. However, as consumers navigate an evolving landscape of mask and vaccine mandates, localized outbreaks and school re-openings, some trends have begun to emerge. Some at-home trends have begun to ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season countdown: Shopping has already started
For the second year in a row, we expect the pandemic to set the tone for the holiday season. In 2020, retailers and consumer companies throughout the supply chain were forced to start competing for holiday dollars earlier, with Amazon moving its Prime Day, their annual deal event for members, from ... READ MORE >