Tom Griffin

I go shopping every Friday. Well, not exactly.     Every Friday, I go to a different retail store to observe how people shop for and interact with our products, and what they like and dislike.   Dan Frommer's recent trends report stresses the importance of understanding your consumer's behavior when looking at the successful rise of new beauty brands among younger consumers. Brands founded since 2014 now account for 40% of sales at major beauty retailers, and they are succeeding because they focus on understanding what Gen Z and Millennial consumers want – highlighted by authenticity in messaging while actively engaging with their younger consumers.   This shift in the consumer mindset is why I keep going back to how consumer behavior and experiences aren’t static, and how it’s our job to stay ahead of these changes. How do you learn more about the different ways consumers experience your products?

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North American tech, durables, home, and auto retailing is going through an analytics and insights revolution with NielsenIQ and the power of GfK - An NIQ Company global capabilities. We are looking at what is happening with small domestic appliances and what the future holds for the rest of 2024.... #NIQandGfK #TheFullView #MovingMeasurementForward #NIQ #GFK #nielseniq #retailanalytics #retailinsights #cpg #cpgindustry #retail #groceryretail #convenience #beverageindustry #quickcommerce #collaboration #future #business #manufacturing #collaboration #connectedcollaboration #media #investments #onlineadvertising #sales #retail #growth #grocery #retailing #technology #sustainability #techanddurables #generalmerch #computing #electronics #devices #IoT #PrivateLabel #ownedBrands #telco #AI #GenAI #AskArthur

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With beauty shoppers gravitating towards specialty retailers, traditional grocery stores have found themselves missing out on the high-end beauty market. Shelley Sullivan, founder of MCoBeauty, and I, were recently interviewed on how traditional grocers plan to shift this trend by incorporating premium products alongside daily necessities. Learn more about how retailers, like Kroger, are transforming the shopping experience: https://lnkd.in/ekpdcYGb.

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Private-label brands continued to prosper in 2024 with almost every U.S. household purchasing at least one private-label grocery item, according to a new report by data analytics firm Numerator. #privatebrands

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Thank you, Digiday and Michael Burgi for this feature on Pathformance and Vibenomics, a Mood Media company! This collaboration presents a major benefit to brands looking to prove results from retail media investments, combining immersive in-store audio advertising with powerful analytics to create a revolutionary shopping experience. Learn more about the future of in-store measurement and how it impacts retail media strategy in the full article below. Elizabeth Johnson Paul Brenner Despite retail media’s growth, in-store measurement is still playing catchup https://lnkd.in/eHUj42i3

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📺 Steve Liesman recently gave a good breakdown on the state of retail, the shopper, the economy on Squak Box. 📊 Full National Retail Federation report for March here: https://lnkd.in/eQS8Vm9a 🛍 In short, consumer spending has been surprisingly solid. There is a risk that it drops, but that is not a weakness as of the latest reporting. 💸 That said, one thing which is a struggle for retailers is MARGIN. Labor costs are up and inflation is hitting supply side hard. Consumers are hunting value right now more than usual, so there is a lot of pressure from both sides squeezing out the margin. This makes it most imperative to align limited resource to sources of value as a retailer. 🔎 I have been developing tools and implementing practices with my data team to empower small business retailers to be able to identify and label the diverse customers in their customer base and execute strategy which acquires, develops, and retains high-value. 💡 We can get through this - we've just got to use our data to focus our resources! #usretail #useconomy #retailbusiness #smallbusinessstrategy

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If it feels like we have been in Holiday Sale mode for some time, we have.. actually since before Halloween. We are entering the all-imporant home stretch of the retail season with some reasonably positive traction. Short term consumer sentiment in the U.S. is up 17% . Consumers are relieved to have the election over, for now. Retail and brand performances for the last quarter and YTD, which are barometers for the rest of the year, reflected consumer resilience. But consumers are continuing to reward brands and retailers that have unlocked consumer experience, product and pricing preferences. Walmart continued to outperform in the quarter and YTD with U.S. Comps ex Fuel +7%; Target’s YTD Comps were -2%. At Walmart, they have balanced National Brands such as U.S. Polo Assn., and Wrangler with their powerful portfolio of private label brands such as No Boundaries and Free Assembly each a multi-billion-dollar brand. Consumers continue to love the “hunt”, whether in the Clubs or in the Off-Price sector. In the last quarter, comp sales were +7% at Sam’s (x gas) , +3.8% at B.J., and +7.7% YTD at Costco U.S. (x gas). Even lapping several years of incredible growth, “Off-Price” continues to trend positively with comp sales last quarter: Burlington +1%, TJX +3%, Ross +1%, Nordstrom Rack +4% comp. The shift to specialty, vertical brands continues. The stars include Abercrombie & Fitch +16% total comp, Aritzia +6.5% comp, Decker’s +17% DTC comp (led by Hoka), Athleta (GAP) +5% comp, Sketchers +16%, and Anthropology +5.8% comp (Urban Outfitters). And Levi’s and Kontoor Brands (Wrangler) have intensified their Direct-to-Consumer platforms to fully control the customer experience with very positive results. The Department Store sector continues to try to re-engage with consumers, especially younger consumers. But In spite of multiple attempts to energizet Kohl's with new concepts, their stores lack of true point of view, as reflected in their -9% comps. Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s howver, have worked hard to restore the customer experience.The new jewelry and watch department at a suburban Bloomingdale’s is world class, with staffing to match. Positive improvements can be felt at the Macy’s go forward stores also, with imrproved comps. Nordstrom comps were +3.9% reflecting better assortments and service. The Luxury sector has hurt by multiple factors, including economic headwinds that left aspirational consumers on the sidelines; and the China marketplace for luxury has imploded. Exceptions include Hermes+14% and Prada +18% ( fueled by Miu Miu). The Home sector continues to struggle, facing a trifecta of high interest rate and mortgage rates, and inflation deflating demand for furniture, appliances and home improvement. Two shining exceptions: Shark Ninja +30%, and Yeti +10%. They have driven sales through product development and great innovation. After Thanksgiving, we will comment on the Fitness, Travel and Jewelry Sectors. Happy Thanksgiving!  

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DTC/Digital Native Brands struggle to achieve scale. CPG portfolio's are stagnating. Consumers are trading down, and retailers owned brands are disproportionately growing. Target, Costco, Trader Joes, and Aldi owned brands are winning. Now Walmart has launched a formidable new elevated basics brand, BetterGoods. The best way to beat the Amazon/Temu/Shein/TikTok marketplaces is to sell products they don't have.

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Here’s a little insider scoop on beauty products in grocery stores: Grocery buyers? They’re mostly focused on food—so hair care product sales are a bonus! That’s why many grocery store corporate buyers work with distributors (like TWT) who specialize in beauty. These distributors offer a specialized expertise of understanding the details of a category like Black or Hispanic hair care. They do some of the heavy lifting of curating hair care shelves in grocery stores and are key decision makers in deciding which brands and products make it to the shelf. Each item on a grocery store shelf is a financial investment, so a distributor helps grocery stores stay stocked without taking away from their main goal: selling food. If you're an emerging brand, this is key to know! Pitching to the right distributor might be the shortcut you need to get on those shelves.

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Returns can significantly impact a brand’s financial health. Beyond the immediate revenue hit, returns bring added costs, including logistics, warehousing, restocking, and even refurbishing. For emerging brands with limited resources, these expenses can quickly pile up, creating substantial challenges. Being strategic about returns not only protects the bottom line but also fosters stronger, more profitable relationships with your retailers. Here are a few tips to help you proactively manage the financial risks of returns: ✅ Provide clear, detailed product information—online and on packaging. This helps set accurate customer expectations, reducing returns caused by misunderstandings. ✅ Monitor return rates and analyze trends. Dive deep into return reasons to uncover and address root issues proactively. ✅Collaborate closely with retailers to ensure your brand's capabilities align seamlessly with their terms and policies. Are returns impacting your business? DM to talk about how I can help improve your business performance!

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As the holiday season approaches, retailers are gearing up for a challenging time with a shorter shopping period and cautious consumers. With spending expected to be lower this year, companies like Macy’s and Lululemon are launching sales earlier and adding more promotions to entice shoppers. This shift in strategy reflects the changing landscape of retail, where innovation and adaptability are key to success in attracting budget-conscious customers. It’s clear that consumer confidence is wavering, and the impact of the upcoming elections adds another layer of uncertainty. Retailers are not only competing for sales but also navigating economic factors that could influence holiday spending. By offering new products, expanding deals, and adjusting their promotional tactics, companies are aiming to stay ahead in a crowded market. As we head into the holiday season, it will be interesting to see how these strategies play out and which retailers come out on top amidst these unique challenges. Shop smart and support businesses that are adapting to meet your needs during this festive time of year! #RetailTrends #HolidayShopping #ConsumerIntent

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WE ARE IN A GLOBAL ECONOMIC FUNK, BUCKLE UP! When Stalwart Brands Like PepsiCo Trim Revenue Expectations We Should Pay Attention. We are still ducking Covid, two wars, inflation (prices remain high) as do interest rates. Asian markets have slowed down as have their factories. Oil prices are on the rise again. And one report says consumers plan to spend the same amount of money on Halloween (for example) as they did last year. One of the reasons PepsiCo and others are trimming revenue. Consumers are getting less for their money. Which means everything else is expensive and they will not buy more than they can afford. The grip of higher prices and keeping a roof over one’s head and food on the table is a bigger priority than splurging. Retail therapy today is more akin to balancing the home Economics budget and taking care of necessities. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation

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📊 Excited to share highlights from NIQ's "State of the U.S. Grocery Shopper" Report, crafted by Sherry Frey, VP of Product Insights. 🔵 Millennials are driving 43% of sales growth despite Boomers being the largest segment. 🔵 Private label sales are on the rise, now capturing 22% market share, with 40% of consumers viewing store brands as a viable alternative to national brands. 🔵 40% of retailers are set to reduce SKUs in 2024, reflecting changing consumer preferences. 🔵 Despite being challenged personally, consumers are returning to the stores with dollar and volume increases in food. 🔵 Now more than ever, data analysis is crucial in understanding evolving shopping demands as consumers' needs shift. Discover the latest trends and insights shaping the grocery shopping experience in the U.S. 🛒 https://lnkd.in/e2cx2kdD #consumerbehavior #consumerinsights #retail #grocery #dataanalytics #groceryshop #macroeconomics #inflation

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Retail sales show signs of stabilization. 🛍️ Older shoppers are striking a balance in their budgets and diving into deals, resuscitating sales that were once on pause. As Circana’s Marshal Cohen points out, consumers are willing to spend when the right price aligns with their current needs. Marketers need to tailor strategies to address consumers spanning all ages in these unique moments. Explore the full story in the latest Circana blog.

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Playing an ever-growing role within the aisles of dollar stores are private label products. Leading retailers in the channel have grown their respective assortments in recent years by developing items that are something other than name-brand equivalents. This continued effort is not only providing high-value items to consumers but also offering points of differentiation for each retailer. #dollarstores #privatebrands

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Target announced its Q1 earnings, revealing a decline of 3.7% in comparable sales as well as a 4.8% decline in store comparable sales. Despite this, digital comparable sales saw a 1.4% growth. A highlight of the quarter was the introduction of Target Circle, which was bolstered by the popular "Target Lady" campaign, becoming the most talked about campaign on social media. Target also launched "Deal Worthy", offering items starting at $1 and most priced under $10. Additionally, Target expanded its footprint in Q1 with the opening of 7 new stores. #retail #digitalgrowth #value #earningscall #Target https://lnkd.in/gxkRsXVk

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Private Label Growth: A Game Changer for Retailers? It’s impressive to see private label spending now accounting for 20% of the U.S. grocery market, with projections to reach 24% by 2030. As the report highlights, private label brands are becoming key drivers of customer loyalty and differentiation, which is crucial for retailers looking to build strong, profitable connections with their consumers. The rise of private label is a trend to watch closely, especially as major players like Kroger and Amazon Fresh continue to expand their private-label offerings. How will this shift impact the broader retail landscape?

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The Path to Purchase Institute Retail Media Summit is SOLD OUT, but Pathformance is here! Retail media is one of the most talked about subject in our industry, so we are excited to dive deep into this topic with the top minds in the business! We are most excited about discussing these hot topics: - Investing for incremental brand growth - Understanding the holistic impact of retail media - Applying measurement to retail media Will we see you there? We world love to connect. Message [email protected] to set up time with our team! See you in Chicago! #pathformance #measurement #P2PI #RetailMediaSummit

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