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IFA Goes Mobile
IFA hasn’t historically received much attention from the mobile world, but that’s been changing as smartphone vendors shift their focus from overly mature markets like the U.S. to EMEA markets where there are still growth opportunities. Industry analyst, Brad Akyuz, highlights some of the mobile announcements from this year’s show.
What’s Up Apple’s Sleeve This September?
For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, the beginning of September marks the end of the summer with colder weather ahead. But if you are one of the 900 million iPhone owners, and especially if it’s time to replace your current device, September also marks the grand unveiling of Apple’s latest and greatest in the iPhone series and more.
Sports
Make Way for the Anglers
Fishing has established itself as a growth driver for the U.S. paddlesports market, but is also emerging as a focus of growth for the broader specialty outdoor market. Dirk explains how, and why, fishing apparel and equipment are making their way into more stores that once avoided the category.
New Buyers Will Power Tech’s Growth
NPD Industry Analyst, Ben Arnold, explores a growth opportunity for technology brands by targeting new groups of shoppers online.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Back-to-School 2019 Athletic Footwear Trends
NPD’s sports industry advisor Matt Powell offers up his perspective on how the back-to-school season of today differs from years past, and what athletic footwear brands and products are trending this year.
The Current State of the Tech Market and NPD’s Outlook
Over the next three years NPD is forecasting strong growth for the consumer electronics industry. Through 2021, we are expecting to see a 3 percent revenue increase, which is notable for a mature market where consumers are not replacing or repurchasing tech items at the same rate they did in prior years.
Beauty
The New Clean-ical
As consumers voice concerns over ingredient safety, clinical brands that are making public statements on clean ingredients are growing by a combined +100 percent. Such brands are creating products that forgo harmful synthetics, while maintaining their clinical ethos.
B2B Technology
Microsoft Inspire Recap – Collaboration, Cloud and AI
NPD’s B2B technology industry analyst, Michael Diamond, looks at the key trends from Microsoft’s Inspire conference that are top-of-mind for partners.
B2B Technology
Data: Your Competitive Edge
As businesses harness the power of IoT the amount of data we are generating daily is continuing to grow. This presents an opportunity for companies to enlist business intelligence and database systems software (a component of the of the overall IoT ecosystem), to make data their competitive edge.
Food Consumption
Food Influencers Are Among Us
You don’t have to be a social media celebrity to influence the food and beverage behaviors of other consumers. There are more than 30 million grassroots influencers who have the potential to change others’ behaviors in a large way.
B2B Technology
First Half 2019 State of the B2B Tech Market: Software Spotlight
Despite global trade challenges and a potential global economic slowdown, the channel has continued to perform well through the first half of 2019. Software led the market with an 8 percent year-over-year growth, now representing 26 percent of industry sales.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Athletic Footwear and Activewear’s Performance in the 1st Half of 2019
NPD Sports Industry Analyst Matt Powell reviews the performance of athletic footwear and activewear categories during the first six months of 2019. From sport and performance footwear to athletic attire and more, this performance review takes a look at where the industry currently stands and could potentially be heading.
Beauty
Festival Hair: Is Boho-Chic Here to Stay?
At major music events like Coachella, festival-goers want to be camera-ready at all times. Savvy retailers are marketing to this audience, and sales of specialty hair products such as glittery and holographic hair gel rose this year in the week leading up to the festival.
Sports
Sneakernomics: First Half 2019 Team Sports, Golf and Fitness Equipment
Given all the headwinds in team sports and golf, the industry fared better than expected in the first half of 2019. In this post, Sports Industry Analyst Matt Powell breaks down increases and declines from the first half of the year.
The T-Mobile/Sprint Merger Inches Towards Closure
The T-Mobile/Sprint merger is (almost) complete, having passed the major hurdle of gaining approval from the Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday. But what have they had to sell and what does Dish need to accomplish to be successful? Read more in this blog by Eddie Hold, president of NPD Connected Intelligence.
Watches Jewelry
What’s Making Women Tick?
Female consumers are becoming better educated about the craftsmanship behind a mechanical watch, resulting in double-digit growth of higher value options.
Automotive
Fueling Innovation in the Automotive Aftermarket
In the automotive aftermarket, one doesn't typically think of hot and exciting innovations like those that are constantly coming out of the consumer technology industry. But there are a number of ways existing products are finding their way to consumers, and automotive suppliers should be paying attention. What might the next out-of-the-box product use be?
Sports
Sneakernomics: Are We “Post-Sneaker”?
For decades, U.S. consumers coveted the latest athletic footwear being touted as the most technologically advanced with the power to make a consumer a better runner, basketball player, tennis player, or even an aerobics superstar. Now that athleisure is the leading footwear category, is performance footwear all but done?
Sports
Outdoor Retailer 2019 and the Rise of Everyday Outdoor
The concept of 'Everyday Outdoor" captures the idea of consumers seeking outdoor products with pragmatic, everyday use, as well as those that bring the 'creature comforts' of home - like coffee that stays hot - to the outdoors.
Toys , Apparel , Consumer Electronics , Retail , E-Commerce , Home , Appliances , Technology
What Does the Future Hold for Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon's Prime Day has evolved into a shopping holiday. Four of NPD's Industry Advisors share their insights and expectations for the future of this retail event.
Beauty
Holiday Trends Are Driving the Success of Germany’s Beauty Industry
As we’re halfway into the calendar year, I wanted to take a few minutes to look at the most important beauty holidays during this period and how they are influencing the total prestige beauty market evolution in Germany.
Office Supplies
Stores Still Rule Back-to-School
Brick-and-Mortar Still Dominates Back-to-School Office Supplies
Beauty
Where is the Pride in Fragrance?
Walking through a department store in June, shoppers may see plenty of Pride-related marketing surrounding in apparel. Is there an opportunity for the beauty industry - and specifically, fragrance - to step up their efforts?
Footwear
The Year in Footwear, So Far
NPD Footwear Industry Analyst Beth Goldstein looks at trends such as "Buy Now, Wear Now" and sustainability that continue to be hot topics among industry insiders.
Speak and Spell
In an era of smartphones and tablets, schools are beginning to change their curriculum, taking the focus off skills such as cursive writing. As voice-based interfaces become more pervasive, what additional changes will the future bring?
Toys
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
The global toys industry is seeing an increase in Harry Potter toy sales, likely due to the launch of the Wizards Unite AR app as well as the 20th anniversary of the release of the first book
Foodservice
Winning the Moment
Every day consumers make many decisions about eating. Throughout their decision-making journey there are inflection points when foodservice operators and manufacturers can win the moment.
Sports
Sneakernomics: To Affinity… And Beyond!
In this day and age, consumers want to support mission-driven brands that do much more than make or sell things
Video Games
E3 2019 – Showcasing an Expanding Games Industry
NPD video games industry analyst Mat Piscatella's key takeaways from this year's E3 Expo
Food Consumption
Is Plant-based the Sensible Way to Indulge?
Plant-based foods are the hot topic in the food and beverage industry. It’s nearly impossible to avoid hearing about these foods in the media as innovative products are introduced each year.
The Emperor Only Wears Underpants
Will the hype surrounding 5G struggle to meet the reality of the situation? NPD Connected Intelligence President Eddie Hold shares his thoughts.
B2B Technology
Customer Experience – It’s About the Platinum Rule
B2B Technology Industry analyst, Mike Diamond, takes a look at how the drive to enhance the customer experience is leading to sales growth in the Pro A/V segment.