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The Huawei Challenge
NPD’s Eddie Hold takes a look at the potential impact of the U.S.’s ban of Huawei, which will not only impact the network infrastructure side of the business, but also its ability to support Android smartphones.
Sports
Back-Pedaling: Sales of Children’s Bikes Are Slowing
Decline in children's bike sales and a look at what can be done to change directions.
Sports
Sneakernomics: In the World of Market Research, Your Network is Your Net Worth
NPD Senior Industry Advisor, Matt Powell, shares his thoughts around the power of networking, as well as his personal LinkedIn and Twitter strategies
B2B Technology
Recap: Dell Technologies World 2019
NPD Industry Analyst, Mike Diamond, shares insights from attending the recent Dell Technologies World 2019 conference in Las Vegas.
Apparel
The Next Generation of Trends
Inclusivity and transparency are two common Gen Z-based themes woven through the macro retail trends that are transforming the apparel industry today.
Video Games
It's a Battle Royal for Battle Royale Games
Each quarter, I like to provide key takeaways on the gaming industry based on what I’m seeing in PlayerPulse, a tool within NPD’s GamePulse that provides a better understanding of core gaming audiences, what types of games they are playing, motivations, behaviors and preferences.
B2B Technology
See You in September
NPD’s U.S. B2B Industry Analyst, Michael Diamond, shares his insights around the B2B tech education buying season.
Your Signal May Vary
Eddie Hold, Connected Intelligence President, evaluates the national coverage of U.S. mobile carriers as he travels across some of the more rural parts of America using prepaid devices. This blog is part of a series Eddie is creating while researching his upcoming Technology in Rural America Report.
Food Consumption
Can Food Be Thy Medicine? Many Consumers Say Yes
About a quarter of adults are trying to manage a health or medical condition through their food and beverage choices, and younger adults are expressing these desires in greater numbers.
The Broadband Challenge
Eddie Hold, Connected Intelligence President, looks at how broadband can provide access to jobs and educational tools that are not currently available in areas of the hearland.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Athletic Footwear and Activewear’s Q1 Performance
A series of headwinds dampened U.S. athletic footwear and activewear sales in the first quarter of 2019. In January, the 53rd week in last year’s retail calendar which was accounted for in January 2018 significantly impacted the comparisons; in February, the later and lower IRS refunds dampened results; and the later Easter affected March performance.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Q1 2019 Golf and Team Sports Equipment Recap
Will golf sales get a lift from Tiger Woods’ recent win? Matt Powell recaps how the team sports markets including golf, baseball, basketball and others fared during the first quarter of 2019.
Toys
The Paw Patrol Powerhouse
NPD’s Sartori Bernbeck provides analysis on the importance and impact of successful cross-entertainment product strategies
Beauty
The Growing Importance of Beauty Consultants in a Digital World
Market research beauty analyst provides insight into the impact that beauty consultants have on in-store shoppers and retailers in the UK
Roaming America With Prepaid
Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, recaps his experience purchasing prepaid smartphones from four carrier stores as he gets ready to hit the road to conduct research for his latest report.
Office Supplies
Kindness Rocks
Similar to benefits of adult coloring and DIY slime, The Kindness Rocks Project is an outlet for consumers to collectively participate in an activity that connects them and supports compassion through the process. With spring underway, summer fast approaching, and back-to-school season down the road, this is a trend to watch.
B2B Technology
SMB Spending Intentions Paint a Rosy Picture for the U.S. Tech B2B Indirect Market in 2019
According to NPD’s most recent SMB Quarterly Technology Monitor, 54 percent of small businesses with 500 or fewer employees plan to spend on technology purchases in 2019. NPD’s B2B technology analyst, Michael Diamond, takes a look at what categories they anticipate spending on.
Entertainment
Convergence: A Love Story
NPD’s entertainment industry analyst provides insight into the business end of IP in entertainment
Beauty
Gender Fluidity in Makeup
Inclusivity, representation, and equality – in the beauty community these words are becoming as common as attractive, sexy, and feminine used to be. We are observing an increasing number of brands relying on male brand ambassadors and influencers to promote cosmetics.
Food Consumption
Will Legal Marijuana Create New Food Opportunities?
A look at whether or not there are changes in snack food consumption in areas where marijuana has been legalized.
The Dream of A La Carte TV
NPD’s Connected Intelligence Analyst, John Buffone, takes a look at how the direct-to-consumer (DTC) trend extends beyond CPG brands and has established a foundation in the TV and Movie industries.
Sports
Sneakernomics: E-commerce in Sports Retail
While e-commerce giants pose big competition, brands and retailers are successfully building their own niche, online platforms and there remains plenty of room to grow in this space. Matt Powell highlights the strategies and ways in which brands and retailers can win online.
Foodservice
Breakfast Is Sunny Side Up
Breakfast at restaurants and foodservice outlets has shown consistent traffic growth over the last several years. The only foodservice meal with year-over-year growth.
Edgy Phones Bring Hope At MWC19
NPD’s Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, shares highlights from MWC2019 including 5G, foldables, and other interesting mobile phone form factors that are working to break the mold.
Food Consumption
Australians Prefer Home-Cooked Meals over Convenience
Latest research from NPD Australia reveals home-cooked meal is still the most desired option for Australians
Office Supplies
Spark Joy to Grow Sales
The launch of Marie Kondo’s new Netflix series “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo” brought the idea of “Choosing Joy” to American households and the response has been mass participation. Sales of organization products including file storage supplies and specialty labels are growing, reaping the benefits of consumers’ latest obsession with tidying.
Footwear
Where Will the Payless Sales Go?
After the going out of business sales are over, the most likely beneficiaries of Payless’s demise will be Walmart and, to a lesser extent, Target, followed by Kohl’s. According to NPD’s Checkout, almost half of Payless footwear in-store buyers also bought footwear at Walmart in 2018. Twenty percent also bought from Target, and coming in third was Kohl’s, though Kohl’s average price per pair is approximately double that of Payless
Foodservice
France: A Restaurant’s Interior Design Is Just as Important as What’s on the Menu
The NPD Group’s foodservice industry expert for Europe and Russia offers insight on the importance of interior design in today’s restaurants
MWC and The U.S. Unlocked Market: A Shining Opportunity for OEMs Squeezed by Top Vendors
NPD Connected Intelligence analyst, Brad Akyuz, takes a look at what’s to come at this week’s MWC19.
Beauty
Make-up applicators: the shining stars of the French beauty market
The total value of make-up sales in France declined in 2018, but sales for make-up applicators, which includes brushes and sponges (amongst others) increased 19%.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Predictions for Sports Retail in 2019
Matt Powell expects a rocky year for the sports industry in 2019, as macro issues will likely weigh heavily on the industry. In these challenging times, what can retailers and brands do to stand out? Powell outlines his expectations and what opportunities should be seized to thrive.
B2B Technology
Thank you, Maslow! CES Takeaways
NPD B2B tech industry analyst, Michael Diamond, takes a look at some of the technologies from CES 2019 that will impact the B2B tech market.