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Video Games
2019 US VG Predictions Results
With 2019 behind us, Mat Piscatella digs into the results from both his January 2019 and September 2019 U.S. video game market predictions.
Entertainment
Pokémon: Driving New Growth in a Mature IP
Pokémon’s traditional product release strategy has worked well to build a cross-entertainment juggernaut. However, there was a significant change in strategy in 2019: film.
2020: Mobile Predictions
The new decade promises some fundamental shifts for the mobile market, offering both opportunities and threats to the status quo. See thoughts from NPD’s Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, on some of the most important topics in this piece.
Shifting Priorities Shape Fashion Footwear & Accessories Sales in 2020
Consumers have new priorities entering 2020 and these will factor into how the fashion footwear and accessories markets fare. Brands and retailers need to be bold in their efforts to drive consumer engagement through product, experience, and messaging.
Sports
Overarching Themes Impacting Sports Retail in 2020
Broad range issues including trade concerns and the presidential election, as well as the Olympics and eSports are among Matt Powell’s top themes impacting sports retail this year.
Sports
Sneakernomics: 2020 Predictions for Sports Retail
Matt Powell outlines his expectations on how the sports industry—from sneakers and activewear, to fitness and sporting goods equipment—will perform in 2020, and what factors will steer the trends.
Foodservice
What to Expect from the Canadian Foodservice Industry in Q1
What can we expect from the Canadian foodservice in the first quarter of the year? Get the Q1 2020 foodservice outlook on traffic, dealing, delivery and more.
Beauty
The Face of Beauty in this New Decade
What trends will shape beauty in the 2020s? Larissa Jensen expects that makeup will make a comeback; interest in natural skincare will continue, but growth will slow; and sustainability will take center stage.
Strategies for the Running Market to Pick Up the Pace
From technical innovation to capitalizing on emerging gamification opportunities like Zwift’s take on eSports, Dirk Sorenson outlines what should be the running industry’s goals for long and short term success in the months ahead.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Profiting with a Purpose
As consumers continue to let their values and stances on social issues guide purchases, Matt Powell lays out the mounting evidence of how brands and retailers putting purpose first are actually winning in the stock market and in the consumer marketplace.
Video Games
Increasing Access to Gaming Critical to 2020s Growth
The video game market is rooted in foundational change with sporadic evolutionary leaps. The 2000s were about connectivity, 2010s were about service, 2020s are about access.
Foodservice
Five Eating Out Trends to Watch in 2020
NPD’s UK Foodservice team identified key trends that will likely reshape Britain’s £57 billion out-of-home foodservice industry in 2020, with the need for increased sustainability from foodservice operators being a clear theme
Food and Beverage Trends to Watch in 2020
In 2020, NPD Food Analyst, Darren Seifer, predicts tailwinds behind the plant-based food movement, food as medicine, the morning meal focus, and sustainability.
Online Holiday Delights
Some Cyber Monday offerings were better than the weekend's in-store promotions - important to keep a "touch and feel" category like apparel top of mind online
New Holiday In-Store Impressions
Bearable Black Friday crowds gave one NPD analyst a new impression of the shopping event, and when it came to apparel, simple promos drove the most traffic.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Q3 Team Sports, Golf, and Fitness Equipment Update
Based on the third quarter results, Matt Powell explains why he is optimistic about how the team sports, golf, and fitness equipment markets will fare during this holiday season – and which products are ripe for growth.
Holiday 2019 - It’s just the beginning
Black Friday and Cyber Monday provided a glimpse into what is hot in fashion footwear and accessories, and what retailers need to do to make it a happy holiday.
Retail
Black Friday Through the Eyes of NPD Industry Advisors and Analysts
Black Friday shopping methods have changed, but consumer intrigue remains. NPD’s industry advisors and analysts share their own shopping observations.
Watches Jewelry
‘Watching’ New Holiday Opportunities
Watch shoppers will find more affordable options at their local jewelry retailers this holiday season, in brands like Victorinox, Bulova, G-Shock, Hamilton and Fossil.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Nike Ends Amazon Pilot
Matt Powell analyzes the results stemming from Nike’s decision to end its program to sell directly to Amazon in an effort to clean up unauthorized product from being sold there
Footwear
Fashion Footwear Holiday: Casual, Comfortable, and Socially Conscious
Casual, comfortable, cozy, and conscious are the themes that will resonate with consumers this holiday in the fashion footwear space. Beth Goldstein delves into the trends and her expectations on how the market will fare.
Beauty
Will this Holiday be a Beauty?
If history repeats itself, U.S. prestige beauty’s sales performance during the holiday season will be the opposite of how the market performed in the first nine months of the year. This means we should see a solid Holiday 2019 performance for the industry.
The New Foldable Motorola razr Creates a Conflict Between the Heart and Wallet
NPD’s Brad Akyuz shares his thoughts on the new Motorola razr, which he says masters the foldable form factor, but is limited in some technical specs.
VSCO Girls: How A Consumer Group Born on Social Media Has Cross-Industry Implications
The VSCO girl subculture took hold this summer and has created opportunities for products and brands in a variety of industries including apparel, beauty, fashion accessories, footwear, sporting goods and technology. We asked our industry analysts to weigh in regarding the implications and opportunities for their industries.
Sports
Let’s Grow the Pie, Not Fight for the Last Slice
The NFL’s and Dick’s Sporting Goods’ investments in flag football, and cycling’s strategic focus on e-bikes are examples pointing to opportunities to find new growth by boosting interest in a category and inviting participation versus direct brand competition.
Beauty
The Price of Perception
As we enter the holiday season, beauty products will likely be a gift of choice for many people. While hot deals have become a holiday shopping staple, prestige brands and retailers must strike a balance between offering value and staying true to their heritage.
Health Tracking Data at the Core of Google’s Fitbit Wearables Push
NPD Analyst, Weston Henderek, shares his take on Google’s announcement that it has agreed to buy Fitbit for $2.1 billion.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Holiday 2019 Predictions for Sports Retail
Matt Powell predicts that the lack of truly “hot” items is a void that will put pressure on the athletic footwear and activewear markets. On the other hand, he anticipates a merrier performance stemming from smaller brands in the space, and from some outdoor and sports equipment categories.
Foodservice
A Carry-out Nation
There has been a lot of hype around and investment in foodservice delivery, but carry-out occasions ordered digitally are growing faster than delivery occasions. The growth in carry-out digital orders is a clear indication of consumer demand and it presents a larger whitespace opportunity.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Athletic Footwear and Activewear Third Quarter Results
NPD’s Matt Powell reviews the performance of athletic footwear and activewear categories during the third quarter of 2019. From casual and performance sneakers to athletic attire, this blog looks at where the industry currently stands and could potentially be heading.
