Flash Report | March 10, 2020 Register for Free Access Coronavirus Briefing: China’s PMI Slumps as Disruption Continues in Supply Chain; International Demand Could Be the Next ChallengeThe effects of the coronavirus outbreak on retail are being felt across the globe. With supply-chain disruption continuing, China’s PMI has slumped, with factory activity falling to an all-time low in February 2020. We consider the impact of the virus to China’s exports market going into the second quarter of the year. Read More
Flash Report | February 27, 2020 Register for Free Access Coronavirus Briefing: Four Positive Takeaways from the Outbreak for Retailers in ChinaAs the coronavirus outbreak continues, we consider the positive takeaways for retailers in China. We discuss the effects of the current consumer preference for e-commerce over brick-and-mortar shopping, in both grocery and nonsectors sectors; the marketing opportunities provided by Chinese super app WeChat; and the increasing consumer focus on health and wellness. Read More
Insight Report | February 26, 2020 Premium January 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and ChinaWe analyze key metrics that reflect consumer demand in the US, the UK and China. In these updates, we focus on direct, leading indicators of the health of the consumer economy: wage growth, price changes and retail sales growth. Read More
Insight Report | February 20, 2020 Premium January 2020 UK Retail Sales: Online Retailers and Small Chains Drive GrowthTotal UK retail sales saw accelerated growth in January 2020 versus December 2019, fueled by online retailers and small chains. Large retailers, on the other hand, saw growth slow. Read More
Insight Report | February 20, 2020 Premium Beauty Insights: Assessing the Impact of the Coronarivus on Global Beauty CompaniesWith the number of cases of coronavirus continuing to rise, we assess the potential impact of the outbreak on global beauty companies that have a presence in China—focusing on Estée Lauder, L’Oréal, LVMH (Sephora) and Shiseido. We consider both online and physical retail channels, as well as the travel retail market. Read More
Insight Report | February 18, 2020 Premium January 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Decline Abates for the Third Month in a RowUS store traffic continued falling in January, for the third month in a row. The bright spot is that while footfall is declining, shopper yield has been rising: Fewer people are hitting the stores, but they spend more when they do. Read More
Insight Report | February 17, 2020 Premium January 2020 US Retail Sales: Multiple Sectors Register Declines Amid Overall Slower GrowthTotal US retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles crept up in January—but not nearly as quickly as December’s strong growth. That said, December 2019 benefited from a late Thanksgiving that pushed much holiday shopping into December. Read More
Flash Report | February 14, 2020 Register for Free Access Coronavirus Briefing: Outbreak Drives Four Innovative Retail Trends in ChinaWith the Chinese government advising people to stay indoors and avoid public places, the coronavirus outbreak is driving four key retail trends in China as retailers look to provide alternative access to their products for consumers. We discuss the introduction of innovative logistics and delivery methods—including drones—as well as the “shared staff” concept being pursued by major supermarket chains. Read More
Insight Report | February 14, 2020 Premium Valentine’s Day: Making It SustainableIn the US, this year’s Valentine’s Day is set to be another record-breaker for spending, predicted to be up some 32% over last year. But how sustainable is Valentine’s Day? Read More
Flash Report | February 13, 2020 Register for Free Access Coronavirus Briefing: What Can We Learn from the Swine Flu Pandemic of 2009?We compare the coronavirus outbreak to the swine flu pandemic of 2009, assessing the worldwide social and economic impact of each. With the coronavirus on the verge of becoming a pandemic, we consider the actions that governments are taking to prevent its spread, as well as the significant threat it could pose to global economic growth. Read More
Insight Report | February 10, 2020 Premium US and China Quarterly Economic Update: Growth Stagnates in Both Countries in 4Q19Recently released data from the US and China show both economies slowing in the fourth quarter of 2019. The ongoing trade dispute had already done some damage, then the coronavirus came along, delivering another blow. Read More
Flash Report | February 7, 2020 Register for Free Access Coronavirus Briefing: Assessing the Near-Term Impact on China’s EconomyWith the number of cases of coronavirus infection continuing to rise, we assess the possible economic impact of the outbreak on China’s economy. We can refer to the 2002-03 SARS outbreak, but China’s economy has changed since then, and that could alter the way this outbreak plays out. Read More
Insight Report | January 30, 2020 Premium Holiday 2019: US Retail Wrap-UpUS retail enjoyed a solid holiday season: Consumers shrugged off concerns and boosted spending healthily over last year. Spending rose despite concerns over the economy, trade issues with China that could have pushed up prices at the register and increasing domestic political uncertainty. Read More
Insight Report | January 29, 2020 Premium December 2019 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and ChinaThis month’s economic data from China, the US and the UK was largely positive, although higher gasoline prices in the US pushed up the CPI. But, we still saw strong growth in US retail sales, despite consumers having to spend more on gasoline. Read More
Insight Report | January 21, 2020 Premium December 2019 UK Holiday 2019 Retail Sales and Trading Review: December Recovery Too Modest To Rescue Total Holiday SalesWith soft total growth, UK retail saw a weak 2019 holiday season overall. Beneficiaries of shifts to e-commerce and discount channels were the exceptions. Read More
