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Sports
Sneakernomics: A Turning Point for Athletic Footwear Sales amid COVID-19
Matt Powell explains why the third week of March was a turning point in the evolving story of U.S. athletic footwear sales amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The hardest hit categories were those tied to youth spring sports, as across the nation scholastic spring sports have been cancelled or postponed.
Consumer Electronics
It’s Time for Home Productivity to Shine
Whether sheltering in place or under quarantine at home, work and school demands continue for many Americans. As most attempt to settle into this new reality, NPD saw historic sales increases in tech hardware and accessories over the first two weeks of March.
Foodservice
Food and Beverage Behavior During COVID-19 Outbreak
For the week ending March 15, total restaurant customer transactions declined 8% versus year ago. This most recent week of data reflect performance prior to restaurant dine-in closures mandated in states throughout the U.S. The results for week ending March 22 will reflect the restaurant on-premises closures.
Retail
U.S. Retail Consumer Trends Shift Dramatically Amid COVID-19 Crisis
Some retail industries are more vulnerable than others, but early data reveals short-term opportunities to help us all navigate the unknown path ahead.
Home
Home Décor Delivers Space Solutions
Consumers are doing more at home, and many are looking to simple do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations or room make-overs to solve their space needs.
Beauty
Beauty in a Time of the Coronavirus
How will the coronavirus pandemic and social distancing impact beauty routines and sales? Given the store closures, can we expect to see more sales shift online in the weeks ahead? Larissa Jensen outlines what’s happening in beauty today.
Sports
Sneakernomics: The Impact of Sports Cancellations on the Sports Retail Market
Amidst the news of major leagues postponing their respective seasons due to COVID-19, Matt Powell dives into the implications these delays bring for sports retail.
Foodservice
What’s in a (Brand) name
NPD looks at iconic brands in the foodservice industry
Sports
Sneakernomics: Are Brands’ DTC Efforts Good for the Sports Industry?
Athletic footwear brands have been posting impressive direct-to-consumer (DTC) results, which have driven up their overall numbers. Is this true growth for the brand or simply a shift in retail margin dollars from their wholesale partners? The answer is, both. Matt Powell explains why.
Sports
The Internet of Fitness, Part 2: The Peloton Effect
Sports analyst Dirk Sorenson explains Peloton’s appeal, and the opportunities such media-based sports platforms present to sporting goods manufacturers and retailers.
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.
