John Mercer

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 | February 13, 2026 Premium

December 2025 US Retail Sales: Strong Conclusion to Holiday Season, with 4% Growth

In December 2025, US retail sales (excluding gasoline and automobile sales) increased by 4.3%, marking a strong conclusion to the holiday quarter. Using data from the US Census Bureau, we analyze US retail sales in December 2025, in total and by sector.

Insight Report | February 10, 2026 Premium

US CPG Sales Tracker: E-Commerce Jumps by One-Quarter as Online Food Sales Surge by One-Third

In our latest US CPG Sales Tracker, we assess the recent exceptional e-commerce growth in food & beverages and health & beauty, as well as a strong in-store sales performance.

Analyst Corner | February 8, 2026

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Analyst Corner: The Appeal and Power of Middle-Aged RFID Technology Continues to Pick Up Steam, with John Harmon

Support from retail giants, success in grocery, and inclusion in associate mobile computers all make RFID more powerful, ubiquitous and empowering.

Store Tracker | February 6, 2026 Databank Members

Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2026, Week 5: Game Over; But Aldi To Open 40 Stores

Our Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker series reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies in the UK. This week, we highlight store openings and closures by Frasers Group, Farmfoods, Aldi and Co-op and more.

Infographic | February 5, 2026 Premium

Sector Focus: Beauty Retailing—Data Graphic

Our Sector Focus data graphics feature the latest survey findings on US retail sectors and categories. Dive into the US beauty sector in this graphic.

Deep Dive | February 4, 2026 Databank Members

Seasonal Shopping, 1Q26—Expectations for Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day: US Consumer Survey Insights Extra

Will US consumers spend on key events in the first quarter this year? This month’s US Consumer Survey Insights Extra—Seasonal Shopping report analyzes consumer expectations for Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day, as well as for the end-of-year holiday season.

Insight Report | February 4, 2026 Premium

Chinese New Year 2026: Four Trends To Expect for the Year of the Horse

2026 Chinese New Year trends show how extended holidays, emotional spending, instant retail, and travel will reshape consumer behavior and retailer strategies.

Deep Dive | February 4, 2026 Databank Members

Consumer Sentiment Shows Modest Improvement in January: China Consumer Survey Insights

We analyze proprietary survey data to track consumer sentiment and financial sentiments in China. This report shows steady optimism in January 2026.

Deep Dive | February 3, 2026 Databank Members

Economic Sentiment Hits A Two-Month Low: US Consumer Survey Insights

How are US consumers’ sentiment and shopping behavior changing amid tariffs and rate cuts? We review our latest US consumer data on consumer sentiment

Analyst Corner | February 1, 2026

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Analyst Corner: Alibaba’s Qwen Signals the Opening Act of China’s Agentic Commerce Revolution, with Charlie Poon

Discover how Alibaba Qwen agentic commerce is reshaping China’s consumer journeys, leveraging AI to enable end-to-end transactions across Alibaba’s powerful ecosystem.

Store Tracker | January 30, 2026 Databank Members

Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2026, Week 4: Malin + Goetz and Russell & Bromley File for Administration

Our Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker series reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies in the UK. This week, we highlight store openings and closures by Malin + Gotez, Russell & Bromley, B&Q, Lululemon Athletica and more.

Store Tracker | January 30, 2026 Databank Members

Weekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2026, Week 4: Amazon To Close All Amazon Fresh Stores as Total Closures Surge by 1,000

Our Weekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker series reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies in the US. This week, we highlight store openings and closures by Amazon, harbor Freight Tools, H-E-B, and more.

Deep Dive | January 28, 2026 Databank Members

Sentiment, Tariffs and Inflation—What the Consumer Is Thinking: US Consumer Survey Insights

How are US consumers’ sentiment and shopping behavior changing amid tariffs and rate cuts? We review our latest US consumer data on consumer sentiment, consumers’ perceptions of the impacts of tariffs and consumers’ inflation awareness and responses to inflation.

Insight Report | January 27, 2026 Premium

Amazon To Close Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go Grocery Chains

Amazon has announced plans to close its Amazon Fresh (57 stores) and Amazon Go (15 stores) grocery chains in the US, with some conversions to Whole Foods Market stores. We review proprietary data to explore the implications.

Store Tracker | January 27, 2026 Premium

US Store Tracker Extra: Store Openings and Closures 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

The Store Tracker Extra monthly series offers additional insight into retailers’ store closure and opening announcements. In this report, we provide our yearly review of store closures and openings in the US. We review calendar 2025, breaking the counts down by sector, and present our projections for 2026.