Monthly Updates

Access research reports and presentations on the retail and technology ecosystem, including consumers, companies, economies, and retail and technology trends. Use the filters below to find research reports and presentations by sector, theme, company or other parameters. Alternatively, use the search box above to find relevant research content.

Insight Report | June 22, 2020 Premium

May 2020 UK Retail Sales: Partial Rebound in Discretionary Sector Even Before Most Stores Reopen

UK retail sales saw improvement in May after April’s deep declines, aided by a strong performance in DIY and hardware-store sales as these were deemed essential by the government and were thus allowed to stay open during lockdown. Some sectors also began to reopen in May after coronavirus-led temporary closures. We review May data for UK retail in total and by sector.

Insight Report | June 22, 2020 Premium

May 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Declines by Over 83%, Slowing Toward the End of the Month

Although May 2020 saw a deep year-over-year decline in US store traffic, it represented an improvement from April as many states began to lift coronavirus-led lockdowns. We review store traffic changes through the month and the sectors most impacted by the current crisis.

Insight Report | June 17, 2020 Premium

May 2020 US Retail Sales: Total Year-over-Year Growth Turns Positive; Declines at Discretionary Sectors Ease While Food Stores and Nonstore Retailers See Strong Growth

Most sectors witnessed the easing of sales declines in May, as US consumers resumed spending following the reopening of stores post lockdown. Growth in total US retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles turned positive on a year-over-year basis, driven by double-digit growth at food stores, home-improvement retailers and nonstore retailers.

Company Earnings Update | June 5, 2020

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Costco Monthly Sales, May 2020: Comp Growth Accelerates as E-Commerce Sales Double

Costco’s global same-store sales increased year over year in May, and e-commerce growth accelerated. We review the comparable sales metrics reported by Costco for May 2020 and consider the factors that impacted results—including the coronavirus crisis and gasoline price deflation.

Insight Report | May 29, 2020 Premium

April 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Analyzing consumer demand in April 2020, it is clear that the month saw the worst impact of the coronavirus in the US and the UK, while China experienced a small rebound.

Insight Report | May 29, 2020 Premium

April 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Declines by over 96%, but Less Steeply Toward the End of the Month

April 2020 saw near-100% declines in US store traffic due to widespread coronavirus-led lockdowns for at least the first three weeks. We review store traffic changes through the month and the sectors most impacted by the current crisis.

Insight Report | May 25, 2020 Premium

April 2020 UK Retail Sales: Huge Declines in Discretionary Sectors Conceal Meaningful Sales Retention through E-Commerce

Total UK retail sales further declined in April, largely due to the enforced closure of nonessential retailers due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, deep declines conceal a meaningful retention of sales through e-commerce. We review April data for UK retail in total and by sector.

Insight Report | May 18, 2020 Premium

April 2020 US Retail Sales: Discretionary Sectors Post Huge Declines; Food Stores and Nonstore Retailers Save Total Sales from Double-Digit Fall

With nonessential retail shut down for the full month of April due to the coronavirus, US retail sales nosedived in discretionary sectors, following deep declines in March. Lower levels of food stockpiling by consumers also saw growth slow in the grocery sector.

Insight Report | May 12, 2020 Premium

April 2020 US Same-Store Sales: Costco Comps Decline, but E-Commerce Almost Doubles and Food Sales Surge Over 30%

Coronavirus lockdowns are adversely impacting same-store sales growth, but online comps are surging following strong results in March. This report looks at the April same-store sales results of Costco and Buckle.

Insight Report | April 28, 2020 Premium

March 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Analyzing consumer demand in March 2020, we can see the substantial impact of the coronavirus in the US and the UK, but a minor rebound for China as the retail sales decline eased.

Insight Report | April 27, 2020 Premium

March 2020 UK Retail Sales: Coronavirus Lockdown Inflicts Severe Blow to Discretionary Sector; Decline Set To Worsen in April

Total UK retail sales declined in March, with some sectors taking big hits due to the impact of the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. However, the grocery sector reported strong growth. We review March data for UK retail in total and by sector.

Insight Report | April 16, 2020 Premium

March 2020 US Retail Sales: Discretionary Sectors Post Deep Declines as Coronavirus-Led Lockdowns Hit Consumer Spending

US retail sales saw deep declines in March, a stark change from the impressive gains made in January and February as large-scale retail shutdowns are implemented due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Insight Report | April 15, 2020 Premium

March 2020 US Same-Store Sales: Costco Sees Food Sales Surge over 30%, but Softlines Down by Double Digits

The impact of the coronavirus continues to be experienced by retailers globally, negatively affecting comps growth but resulting in a surge in online shopping and essential purchases (such as food). This report looks at the March same-store sales results of Costco and Buckle.

Insight Report | April 10, 2020 Premium

March 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Falls by Over 60%, and Much More Steeply Toward the End of the Month

March 2020 saw a significant decline in US retail traffic amidst the coronavirus pandemic, heavily impacted by the store shutdowns implemented from the middle of the month. We review store traffic changes through the month and the sectors most impacted by the current crisis. We also consider key findings from a survey by RetailNext, which highlights the widely held belief that the pandemic will have long-term effects on retail.

Insight Report | March 30, 2020 Premium

February 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Global consumer markets were buffeted last month as the coronavirus outbreak once limited to one country spread to become a global pandemic. Recent figures show consumer spending took a pounding in China, experienced an uncharacteristic surge in the US and grew in the UK.