While consumers’ spending power is moderating, shoppers still expect to pay more than they did last holiday season. A shorter holiday season leading to compressed shipping timelines will create challenges for consumers eager to buy gifts for their families. State of the consumer Consumer spending was a ... READ MORE >
retail
Back-to-school recap: Buying trends set tone for retail holiday season
In our final installment of our three-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts recap back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. As summer draws to a close, families across the country prepared for the back-to-school season, a critical time for retailers as it set the ... READ MORE >
Consumer products M&A: Cautious buyers limit activity
The first half of 2024 continued the downward trajectory of consumer products deal volumes. Cautious buyers weighed economic and political uncertainty, a softening consumer, and the lack of clarity on the timing and extent of interest rates against continued high seller expectations and limited ... READ MORE >
Back-to-school outlook: Price sensitivity creates consumer spending shifts
In our second installment of our three-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analyst explores back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. Even as inflation has moderated, consumers have indicated price hikes and affordability constraints have remained important ... READ MORE >
Back-to-school outlook: Blurring the lines of digital and physical store sales
In our three-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts explore back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. In the not-too-distant past, companies rigidly divided their operations into digital and physical retail segments. This separation extended to sales teams, ... READ MORE >
Retail demand shows weakness, leading to first inflation dip in 6 months
In a noteworthy turn, core goods prices have experienced a continued decline, contributing to the first dip in inflation in six months, according to April’s consumer price index. April's retail sales data paints a picture of stagnation, hinting at a weakening consumer base grappling with high interest ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: E-commerce helps drive holiday sales growth
The consumer continues to beat spending expectations with 4.1% year-over-year growth, 4.9% year-over-year in core goods (excluding food services, gas, building materials and motor vehicle dealers), according to the U.S Census Bureau. Cyber Monday and e-commerce natives helped lead the charge for this ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: Fading consumer confidence won’t dampen holiday retail cheer
Despite numerous economic challenges, consumer spending has remained remarkably resilient. The U.S. Census Bureau’s release of September retail sales showed strong results, solidifying consumers’ willingness to spend. But with the holiday season approaching, it remains to be seen whether consumers will ... READ MORE >
Consumer products holiday season insights: Shopping growth to be lower, but still strong
With Halloween in the rear-view mirror and winter holiday decorations in department stores in full swing, RSM forecasts nominal retail sales from October through December will increase nearly 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. Given that many promotional events began in early October, consistent with ... READ MORE >
Back-to-school outlook: Channel surfing bargains
In our four-part blog series, RSM’s senior industry analysts explore back-to-school shopping trends and the impact on consumer businesses. The beginning of the year saw consumers grappling with economic uncertainty due in large part to high inflation, depleting savings and the fear of an impending ... READ MORE >