The Consumer

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.

Flash Report | March 11, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: How Tech Companies in China Are Leveraging AI and Cloud Computing To Battle the Coronavirus

With the number of new cases of coronavirus reported in China falling—but numbers climbing in other parts of the world—China’s technology giants have been working on AI and machine learning-assisted research and diagnostic tools. And making them available to the world.

Insight Report | March 11, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 5: Tax Refunds Down Versus Last Year

As of week five of the US tax refund season, the number of returns processed by the IRS is up marginally year over year, while the total value of tax refunds is down.

Insight Report | March 6, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 4: Tax Filings Set To Catch Up with Last Year

As of week four of the US tax refund season, the number of returns processed by the IRS versus the prior year has returned to normal after a brief hiatus.

Flash Report | March 5, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: What Have China’s Shoppers Been Buying Online?

The coronavirus outbreak impacted consumer behavior in China over the Chinese New Year public holiday. We assess the best-selling products online across a number of retail sectors: grocery, home cleaning, personal care, medicine and electronics.

Insight Report | March 4, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 3: IRS Holds EITC and ACTC Refunds, Tax Filings Still Down Versus Last Year

In our series on the US tax refund season, we examine where we are (or, more precisely, where the IRS is) in receiving, processing and issuing tax refunds. As of week three, the number of returns processed was down significantly from last year, but the amount refunded was down even more.

Flash Report | March 2, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: How Brands Are Communicating with Consumers During the Outbreak

With the coronavirus outbreak showing no signs of slowing soon, retailers and brands in China are looking for creative ways to keep shoppers engaged with the brand as most people shun public places and avoid shopping for non-essential products.

Flash Report | February 28, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Coresight Research Survey Data Suggests US Malls Will Be Hit Hard if Outbreak Worsens

Coresight Research surveyed US consumers on the current and potential impact of the coronavirus outbreak on their behavior. Over one-quarter say they are already avoiding public areas or changing travel arrangements, and well over half of respondents say they would if the outbreak worsens.

Flash Report | February 27, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Four Positive Takeaways from the Outbreak for Retailers in China

As 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.

Insight Report | February 26, 2020 Premium

January 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

We 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.

Insight Report | February 19, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 2: Tax Filings Narrow the Gap with Last Year, Refunds Still Down

While tax returns and refunds are progressing slightly more slowly this year than last, the IRS expects the pace to increase in the two weeks following the President’s Day long weekend.

Flash Report | February 3, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Potential Impact on China’s GDP, More Store Closures, Implications for Supply Chains

The coronavirus impact on China’s GDP could be worse than the two percentage points SARS shaved off during the 2002–03 outbreak. With Wuhan a center of manufacturing for several key industries, we expect supply chain disruptions if factories remain closed.

Insight Report | January 30, 2020 Premium

Holiday 2019: US Retail Wrap-Up

US 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.

Flash Report | January 29, 2020

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Coronavirus Briefing: Assessing the Economic Impact

The coronavirus hitting central China came at a bad time for the domestic economy—just before the all-important Lunar New Year holidays. The good news is that most consumers probably did most of their holiday shopping in advance; the bad news is that the outbreak is far from over.

Insight Report | January 29, 2020 Premium

December 2019 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

This 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.

Deep Dive | January 22, 2020 Free Report

Retail 2020: 10 Retail-Tech Startup Trends

In 2020, the retail industry will be shaped by emerging technologies that will change the way consumers interact with brands, while retailers will collaborate more than ever with tech startups to future-proof their businesses. Discover our 10 trends for the year.