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Sports
The Internet of Fitness, Part 1: Plugging Into a New Era of Sports
eSports has the potential to change the way sports is perceived and pursued, and open new avenues for traditional manufacturers to create and market products. In his blog series, Dirk dives into what he considers the Internet of Fitness.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Opportunities in Sports Retail
A booming shared economy inspired by reselling and recycling, socialized competition like Topgolf, and sales potential from the growing number of Baby Boomer retirees are among the opportunities Matt Powell outlines in his latest blog.
5G, Gaming and a Samsung Leadership Position
NPD Connected Intelligence President, Eddie Hold, takes a look at the announcements made during this week’s Samsung event including new devices, as well as 5G and gaming
Office Supplies
The Modern Day Café Guerbois
Coloring and art was the second fastest growing office supplies category online in 2019. Times change, but there’s a constant in the expressive, inspirational, and therapeutic role art has in our lives. A shifting landscape and more people tapping into this is spurring industry growth.
Entertainment
The Witcher’s Impact Across Entertainment
The Witcher, once a more niche IP, has become widely known due to a very successful first season of its new Netflix series, catapulting it to a new level of awareness and creating tremendous value across the entertainment spectrum
Foodservice
Understanding the Post-Millennial Consumer
We are at an interesting crossroads when it comes to understanding the commercial foodservice consumer in Canada. For years, the Millennials have dominated much of the conversation and the Boomers have dominated much of the spending; however, as we begin this new decade, it’s becoming clear that a major generational shift is upon us.
Beauty
For Valentine’s Day, It’s Personal
Fragrance remains a favored gift for Valentine’s Day. In 2019, the two weeks leading up to the holiday generated over $170 million in fragrance sales in the U.S. prestige market.
Sports
Sneakernomics: The Sports Business in an Olympic Year
While the Olympics remains less of a sales driver and more of a marketing play for U.S. sports retail, the latter is still important for business as a brand awareness builder and an opportunity to showcase new products and technologies.
Food Consumption
Holiday Meals Aren’t Just for Meat Eaters
A vegetarian tests a meatless loaf on his meat-eating family and it meets with their approval… and requests for second helpings.
Sports
Sneakernomics: Athletic Footwear and Apparel Year in Review 2019
Matt Powell recaps the categories, brands, and trends that impacted athletic footwear and active apparel sales in 2019.
Video Games
Mat Piscatella’s 2020 U.S. Video Game Market Predictions
2020 will set the stage for reinvigorated U.S. video game market expansion beginning in 2021, based on the concept of allowing more people to engage with gaming how, where, and when they want.
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
‘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.
