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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.
Apparel
‘Tis the Season to Treasure Hunt
Off-price apparel sales are up, some retailers are expanding doors and moving online, and more consumers are planning on shopping off-price over the holidays.
The New Pixel 4 - Is Google Ready to Take on the Mobile Goliaths?
This week Google launched its much-anticipated flagship smartphone, the Pixel 4. The previous Pixel iterations were unable to reach the masses, but will this new successor give Google the spot it deserves in the ranks?
Food Consumption
Breakfast in Bed – At Night?
New food trends research shows that there is a changing consumer mindset of what constitutes a breakfast food, and traditional breakfast foods are now being eaten throughout the day.
Sneakernomics: What Does the NBA-China News Mean for Sports Brands?
NPD’s Matt Powell offers his analysis of the NBA-China dilemma and what the potential implications are for sports brands.
Fashion Accessories
Women’s Handbags – The New Normal
The women's handbag industry has seen a major shift over the past 3 years with declining sales and many marketplace and consumer changes. Will it bounce back?
Apparel
Influencing Up: The Younger Generation’s Impact on Sustainable Fashion
Brands like Everlane are changing the perception of sustainable apparel, and younger consumers are paying close attention with passion, and their wallets.
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.
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.
Beauty
The Beauty of Sustainability
Beauty brands are incorporating sustainability through ingredient sourcing and reusable packaging, and through their business practices. Brands that use their voice to bring consumer attention to industry issues like sustainability are experiencing double digit growth in a softening market.
Food Consumption
Are Consumers Walking the Sustainability Talk?
The sustainability issue is now front and center and although adoption may be slow, it’s top of mind with consumers and change is beginning to happen, but there still is a long way to go in terms of mass consumer adoption of sustainability efforts.
Sneakernomics: Checking in on the Run Specialty Market
According to NPD’s Matt Powell, Hoka One One and On Running are two brands within the run specialty channel that are showing strong growth and boosting results within that market. Another brand the market should keep an eye on is Oofos; they are trending nicely in run specialty, and in his opinion could be the next big comfort brand.
Video Games
2019 Year-End Expectations for the U.S. Video Game Market
Strength in mobile gaming and growth in digital spending on consoles are two factors that will lead to a successful 2019 for the U.S. video games industry.
Teetering On The Edge Of Innovation
In the CE space there seems to be a lack of compelling innovation, says Eddie Hold, President of NPD's Connected Intelligence. Phone and smartwatch launches have become small iterative enhancements rather than substantial innovations, while IFA, was a muted affair. So what will help tech reinvigorate the market?
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.
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?
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.
Video Games
Mortal Kombat 11’s Test of Might
Mortal Kombat 11has been a force to be reckoned with, so how did their marketing stack up against the biggest challengers of Spring - present and past?
Toys
Endgame for Avatar?
Avengers is about to take top spot at the global box office worldwide; and that means there’s the potential for a record-breaking year for licensed merchandise, too
Beauty
Dramageddon: When Beauty Influencers Turn Ugly
NPD Group Beauty Industry Analyst Larissa Jensen examines just how much impact the antics of beauty influencers - using their platforms to stir up drama - can have on how well their promoted products do in the short- and long-term.
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.
Video Games
Spider-Man’s Resurging Brand Power across Entertainment Industries
The Spider-Man license in the U.S. has an incredible impact across multiple industries, including media entertainment, video games, books, and toys.
Home
Putting a Fresh Perspective on “More of the Same”
The core consumer needs haven’t changed, but we need to find new ways to keep consumers engaged with housewares, appliances, and home textiles products.
Entertainment
Who’s That Nipping at the Heels of the “Big Three” SVOD Services
The “Big Three” U.S. SVOD players – Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video – receive a lot of media attention for their original runaway hits, award-winning series or meme-spurring content.
Sports
Sneakernomics: What Really Happened with Athletic Footwear and Activewear Sales in 2018
Matt Powell provides the highlights and his analysis on how the brands and categories across the U.S. athletic footwear and activewear markets fared in 2018.
Foodservice
UK: Driven by technology and convenience, British foodservice industry visits fall as consumers increasingly prefer ‘off-premise’ dining options
Dominic Allport, UK’s Insight Director for market research company, The NPD Group, provides insight into expectations for the British foodservice industry through the end of 2020.
Office Supplies
The E-Commerce Effect
2018 was a year of continued online growth for the U.S. office supplies industry; while brick-and-mortar retail sales were relatively flat, the e-commerce channel grew double digits compared to 2017. E-commerce has transformed the way consumers browse, compare, and purchase products, and this behavior continues to evolve. As a result, we expect the online channel will bring even more opportunities and changes to the office supplies space in 2019.
Video Games
Mat’s 2019 US Video Game Market Predictions
The U.S. Video Game industry experienced strong growth in 2018, as sales increased 18% to over $43 billion. According to NPD’s Mat Piscatella, it will be difficult, but not impossible, to show significant growth this year against what may have been the strongest software slate in a decade a year ago.
B2B Technology
Like A Box Of Chocolates - 2019 U.S. B2B IT Channel Predictions
The U.S. B2B IT channel experienced eight percent growth in 2018 propelled by a stronger PC market, growth of all-flash arrays, cloud, collaboration screens, and many more. With 2018 in the rearview mirror, see what NPD’s B2B Industry Analyst, Michael Diamond, expects in 2019.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Golf and Team Sports Equipment 2018 Recap
Matt Powell recaps how sales fared for baseball, golf, soccer, and other sports equipment products in 2018. Baseball/softball equipment sales grew largely as a result of new youth bat safety regulations that required most youth players to replace their bats. Golf was another bright spot for the market. After years of soft sales, the category bounced back. One of the top growth categories in golf were complete golf sets, particularly at opening price-points, suggesting new entrants.
Video Games
Mat’s 2018 US Video Game Market Prediction Results
Market research company The NPD Group’s video game industry analyst Mat Piscatella provides an overview on his 2018 prediction results for the U.S. video game industry.
Google Finally Doubling Down on Wear OS
Could Google’s purchase of Fossil IP lay the groundwork for a Google branded Pixel smartwatch? See what Connected Intelligence analyst, Weston Henderek, thinks in his latest blog.
Foodservice
In 2018, Russian Consumers Sought Value When Dining Out
In Russia, throughout most of 2018 there was a noticeable shift in consumer behavior around eating out, with the average individual check in foodservice was virtually flat compared to the same time period in 2017, while the average price per item on the menu increased.
Fashion Footwear & Accessories: Keeping Up the Momentum in 2019
2018 was an impressive year for the U.S. fashion footwear market—its strongest performance in recent years—and most accessories categories saw improved sales results. Though at a slower pace, footwear’s momentum will likely continue, and the accessories market will continue to level out. The most significant trends to watch will be an amplification of the familiar, including athleisure, comfortability, online’s growth and social/environment concerns.
Automotive
Automotive Aftermarket Forecast for 2019
Nathan Shipley outlines the opportunities as well as challenges for the automotive aftermarket industry this year. NPD forecasts that the industry will see little to no growth in 2019. The biggest factors driving this forecast include a combination of our outlook on miles driven (flat to slightly positive), our forecast for product pricing on the shelf (continuing to increase in the 5 percent range), and Moody’s 2019 forecast for the consumer price index for new and used cars (falling).
Beauty
Beauty Outlook for 2019
In beauty, we have seen stress-reducing ingredients like adaptogens, healing crystals and CBD emerge as some of the breakout stars of 2018. The coming year will see areas of growth within each U.S. prestige beauty category, but recession fears may slow the performance of the total market as consumers make the move to more careful consumption.
Born To Be Wired
NPD Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, reflects on how the wearables market is starting to move beyond the old anchor products of fitness trackers and smartwatches, and into new categories.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Nobody Wins a Race to the Bottom
According to Matt Powell, Holiday 2017 was the most promotional on record for the U.S. sports industry – that is, until Holiday 2018. Powell says we need to return the industry to one of aspiration and inspiration, or we face the risk of running a race to the bottom; and that’s a race nobody wins. A new year brings new opportunity to change course.
When Walls Start To Crack
NPD Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, provides analysis of the latest news from Apple.
Watches Jewelry
What Sells? What’s New?
Women’s watches are outperforming their male counterparts for the first time in history, and the market opportunity lies in the hands of new introductions.
Foodservice
Eating Trends in 2019
Sluggish growth will continue in the food and foodservice industries in 2019. In order to grow, food companies, grocers, foodservice distributors and operators must align with changes in consumption patterns, be leaders in creating customer solutions, and be differentiated in product innovation, quality, experience, and execution.
Apparel
2019 - A Year of Preparation
2019 will be the bridge to awaited transformations of a new decade, and there are six key strategies that retail and the fashion industry will need to focus on.
Foodservice
Are 3rd Party Restaurant Apps Too Restrictive?
Most common uses for apps like Grubhub/Seamless, UberEATS, and DoorDash are looking up items, paying for meals, and checking prices. While branded restaurant apps see special offers and loyalty rewards as their top uses. Are loyalist restaurant users short-changed using third-party apps?
Apparel
It’s the Most Influenced Time of the Year…
Consumer use of social media to keep up with fashions, bolstered by the growth in online holiday shopping, is playing a big role in the apparel industry.
Toys
The Pressure is Building
NPD Group’s global toys industry analyst, Frederique Tutt, gives her take on the perils of waiting until the last minute to complete holiday toy shopping.
Books
Foodies and Homebodies Rejoice – This Holiday Season is All About Lifestyle Books
Market research company, The NPD Group’s Allison Risbridger provides her expectations for books sales in the U.S. over the holidays
Hooking Them Young(er)
NPD Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, looks at the opportunity for carriers to acquire new subscribers through kid-friendly plans.
Fashion Accessories
Breaking Down Black Friday
In 2017 the 2 weeks of Black Friday/Cyber Monday posted a decline of -3 per cent across the fashion industry in Canada as buying visits (both online and in-store) experienced declines. In an attempt to reverse this trend, this year we saw promotions starting as early as the first week of November.
Data Corruption
What will it take to make smart cities a reality? Collaboration. See more in this blog by NPD Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold.
Office Supplies
A Creativity-Inspired Holiday Season
The holiday season presents consumers with a perfect opportunity to get in touch with their creative side – a behavior that bodes well for the office supplies market. Several arts, crafts, and traditional supplies categories tied to ornament decorating, homemade décor, and other trends will be top industry performers this holiday.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Hot Topics at the Outdoor Retailer Show
At Outdoor Retailer’s first ever November show, Matt Powell put a different spin on his industry trend breakfast. Here are some the questions and common themes he identified as being top of mind for folks in the industry.
Watches Jewelry
Watches Gear Up for Happy Holidays
The watch category registered its highest first-half sales in three years, with sales up eight percent versus last year. The back half of the year is generally larger than the first, so we are bullish on this peak holiday season once again bringing a strong finish to 2018.
Foodservice
The Grocery Center of Store Is Growing Again
After years of being held back by the health-focused “fresh” movement that kept more consumers in the perimeter of the store, the grocery center of the store is growing again. The consumer spoke and frozen and packaged foods manufacturers, whose products are located in the center of store, started listening.
Toys , Food Consumption , Apparel , Retail , Sports , Foodservice , Home , Appliances , Technology
Black Friday Through the Eyes of NPD’s Industry Advisors
NPD’s industry advisors hit the stores over Black Friday weekend. See their observations on store traffic, what was hot, consumer sentiment, and more.
Food Consumption
Health Goes Tribal
In today’s world of social media and blogging, consumers are seeking their echo chambers of health the same way they use them for lifestyles and politics. They’re finding niche or individualized plans that meet their own specific goals, as opposed to plans that work for the average person.
How Home Will Heat Up Holiday Again in 2018
Last year's momentum continues, and like Instant Pot, the hottest home products this holiday will center around convenience, entertaining, and innovation.
Video Games
Gotta Catch Them All – Pokémon Expands its Console Market by Engaging Mobile
Video games analyst, Mat Piscatella, from market research company The NPD Group offers his thoughts on the impact that the Pokemon franchise has had on the industry, across mobile, console and portable platforms, and where he thinks it’s heading.
Fashion Accessories
Tis the Season to Accessorize
Innovative products addressing versatility and personalization will be among those behind the biggest fashion accessory sellers this holiday season.
Apparel
Cozy Christmas Predictions
Casual and furry, sweaters, pajamas and more - all hot products in the fashion industry that evoke the feeling of cozy warmth that will be hot this holiday.
Footwear
A Fashionable and Functional Holiday for Footwear
Fashion sneakers and boots are positioned to sell well this holiday season, as are the brands and retailers that speak to the consumer priorities of comfort, coziness, convenience and versatility. Beth Goldstein outlines the trends and her expectations for the footwear industry this holiday.
Retail
Timing is Everything This Holiday
Early promotions and Super Saturday's return mean the ‘when’ will play as much of a role in driving this holiday's retail trends as the 'what'.
Beauty
Merry and Bright for Beauty
With over a week until Thanksgiving, the holiday season is already in high gear. Given the huge success of the U.S. beauty market last holiday, what can we expect from this one?
Sports
Sneakernomics: U.S. Team Sports Equipment Q3 Recap
After what was a solid first half of 2018 for the U.S. team sports equipment market, sales slowed in the third quarter. Matt Powell recaps how sales fared for baseball, golf, soccer, and other sports equipment products in Q3.
Foldables Are Coming
Will foldable smartphones give consumers a reason to lust after a new device or will ever-increasing costs become a barrier? See thoughts from Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold regarding the latest innovation.
Video Games
Another Look at Video Game Industry Predictions for Holiday 2018
NPD video game industry analyst, Mat Piscatella, provides insights into his expectations for holiday 2018 in the U.S.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Holiday 2018 Predictions for Sports Retail
Matt Powell outlines his holiday season expectations for the U.S. athletic footwear and activewear markets, including where there will be challenges as well as bright spots.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Athletic Footwear and Activewear Q3 Results
Matt Powell recaps how key categories and brands in the athletic footwear and activewear markets performed during the third quarter of 2018, and what this may foreshadow for the holiday season.
Are Subscription Meal Kits Doomed?
It’s no secret the subscription-based fresh meal delivery kits are facing struggles. The solution may be for these services to take a multi-channel approach and be where consumers shop for meals.
Connected Intelligence
The best phone you cannot (easily) buy
NPD Connected Intelligence president, Eddie Hold, provides his take on Huawei’s latest smartphones, the Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro
B2B Technology
The Open Office Trend – Peter Gibbons Was a Genius
As companies across the globe look for ways to increase productivity, collaboration display sales are reaping the benefits. According to NPD’s U.S. B2B Distributor and Reseller Tracking Service, the collaboration display market grew 61 percent in dollars for the 12 months ending August 2018 versus the year prior.
Flashback Friday
Are cameras the main point of differentiation between smartphones these days? Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold takes a look back at past generations of mobile phones and shares his thoughts on the future.
Foodservice
Let’s Disrupt the Overuse of Disrupt
The buzzword these days is disruption. What was initially used as a term to define technology-enabled services or products that target an established market and eventually move their way up to overtake the market leaders — think Uber — is now a catchall to describe any change or innovation.
Toys
Crazy About Football: The League Triggers Sales of Cards in Spain
When Cristiano Ronaldo announced this summer that he was leaving Real Madrid, it’s safe to assume that more than one child thought of his next season's sticker album.
Toys
The Holiday Landscape without Toys‟R”Us
As we move into the most important time of the year when nearly 50 percent of all U.S. toy sales occur, the question is, what impact will the liquidation have on the toy industry’s holiday season? Juli Lennett crunches the numbers and outlines her Q4 expectations.
