Will Shoppers Surge to Re-opened Retail? Probably Not

Sales signs may not be enough to bring shoppers into reopened stores. Two mighty forces are working against a resurgence of store traffic: One is the risk of contracting COVID-19, which will keep many shoppers away; the second will be how shoppers rethink spending after being unemployed or furloughed for months. Our Retail Safari® scouts ... Read more

Stores are Reopening | Lessons for Retailers

As pandemic-related business restrictions ease and retailers reopen, they will be evaluated by how much they show they care about protecting their shoppers. Retailers have an immense responsibility for the attitude and presentation of their stores, in addition to the safety of all inside. We took a few shopping trips and found some good examples, ... Read more

Shoppers Need Mental Relief: How Brands & Retailers Can Help

Consumers have been trying to minimize stress for some time, including in their shopping trips. Now COVID-19 has added an unpredicted level of complexity and angst to that pursuit. We looked into how brands and retailers are easing stress among pandemic-minded shoppers, and came back with three guidelines. Shoppers Need Mental Therapy. How are You ... Read more

Through the Retail Industry Lens: Consumers and Wellness

Strategist and CEO Wendy Liebmann takes retail’s temperature in the days of COVID-19 Fiona Soltes // NRF Contributor  //  May 1, 2020 If the coronavirus pandemic has put a spotlight on one thing, it’s certainly our health. Being well and staying “safe” have become drivers for a multitude of attitudes and thoughts. Even before the virus ... Read more

WSL Predicts Shopper Behavior Based on Past Crises

More shoppers, uncertain of their financial security in the COVID-19 crisis, are cutting back on spending and avoiding even the temptation to buy unnecessary items. Old staples are new no-no’s, so a new burden is on retailers and brands to help shoppers feel good about the spending choices they do make. Here’s what our own ... Read more

Want Brand Loyalty? Then Go for Greener Packaging

Our research shows that brand loyalty is low, while the demand for sustainable practices is accelerating. We see the shopper’s attention to sustainability in their preferences for clean ingredients, recycling and re-using, and their attention will quickly extend to product packaging. That presents an opportunity: brands and retailers should use sustainable packaging to rebuild customer ... Read more

Find Out How Retailers are Eliminating Packaging

The fringe movement of sustainability is moving into the mainstream, fast. Nearly 90% of your shoppers are reusing the bottles and bags their products come in, and we predict they will focus on “first-use” packaging next. The WSL “Fill’er Up” report shows how three merchants are eliminating waste and discovered the movement is well beyond ... Read more

What does ‘Change Now’ Mean? 5 Shopping Shifts to Watch

Forget merchandise, Forget promotions. Forget ads. Being a part of change today means accepting that shoppers expect retail to play a fundamentally different role in their lives. And they expect it Now. Our How America Shops® report, “Change Now,” is a real-time example of how much faster change is occurring now. The controversies surrounding climate ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Stockings to be Half Full

As if the nation needed one more opinion on which to be divided: Half of shoppers are now giving the thumbs down to buying more gifts this holiday season. What is especially scary is those most likely to cut back are the youngest shoppers. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. Will ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Shoppers Call Off Black Friday

Who’s waiting for Black Friday? Fewer people than last year. Holiday shopping is increasingly becoming an all-season affair, diluting the deal-busting power of Black Friday. This isn’t necessarily bad news – as long as retailers recognize the advantages behind the trend. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. This Holiday Season, Any Day ... Read more

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