Anand Kumar, Associate Director of Research

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 | October 16, 2020 Premium

September 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Decline Eases to 34%

September 2020 saw the total US nonfood store traffic decline ease to 34% year over year from deeper declines in August, as many states revisited their reopening plans of indoor malls. We review weekly shopper traffic trends through the month, as well as traffic by retailer vertical, region and retailer location type.

Market Navigators/Market Outlook | October 13, 2020 Premium

US Apparel Retail: Post-Crisis Outlook—Fall 2020 Update

We explore the continued impacts of the Covid-19 crisis on the US apparel retail sector and present an outlook for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. In addition to commentary from US apparel brands and retailers, we discuss the adoption of new selling models, expansion in the digital channel and technological innovation, among other key trends. We summarize our key estimates in an infographic.

Insight Report | September 30, 2020 Premium

August 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Analyzing consumer demand in August 2020, we saw the US and the UK maintain strong growth momentum, while China continued to see a rebound.

Insight Report | September 24, 2020 Premium

2Q20 US Retail Inventory Tracker: Most Retailers Post Higher Inventory Turnover as Stores Reopen

In our quarterly US Retail Inventory Tracker reports, we analyze inventory trends among those US retailers listed in the Coresight 100. We look at the inventory levels of various retailers in 2Q20 and assess why levels may have changed from the year-ago period—with most retailers posting higher inventory turnover as stores reopen.

Insight Report | September 18, 2020 Premium

August 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Declines by 41%, Easing Toward the End of the Month

August 2020 saw total US nonfood store traffic decline by nearly 41% year over year, with nonessential businesses continuing to reopen and some states revisiting their reopening plans on indoor malls as the spikes in coronavirus cases slowed toward the end of the month. We review store traffic changes through the month and the sectors most impacted by the current crisis.

Insight Report | September 17, 2020 Premium

August 2020 US Retail Sales: Further Strong Year-over-Year Growth

Building on strong growth momentum in total US retail sales in July 2020, US retail sales continued to rebound strongly in August, driven by multiple nonfood sectors—including sports and leisure goods and home improvement. Using data from the US Census Bureau, this report looks at which retail sectors saw sales surge and which did not do well in August 2020.

Insight Report | September 14, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 2Q20, Week 6 and Wrap-Up: Digital Businesses Lead Retail Recovery

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report second-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended September 13, including American Eagle Outfitters, Casey’s General Stores and Kroger. This is the final report in the second-quarter Earnings Insights series. As such, we also summarize the performance of retailers reported in the prior weeks.

Insight Report | September 7, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 2Q20, Week 5: Crisis Supports Structural Shifts, Benefitting Discount Formats

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report second-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended September 6, including Dollar Tree, Five Below, Macy’s and PVH Corp.

Insight Report | August 27, 2020 Premium

July 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China

Analyzing consumer demand in July 2020, we saw the US and the UK maintain growth momentum, while China continued to see improvements.

Deep Dive | August 26, 2020 Premium

Reviewing America’s Retail Bankruptcies amid the Coronavirus Crisis

Following a large number of bankruptcy filings in 2019, retail failures have continued apace in 2020, driven by the Covid-19 crisis. We examine notable US bankruptcies from last year and in year-to-date 2020—including Ascena Retail Group, JCPenney, J.Crew and Neiman Marcus—and discuss the major factors behind these filings.

Insight Report | August 24, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 2Q20, Week 3: Home Categories Prove Strong and Apparel Weak as Discretionary Retail Sees an Uneven Recovery

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report second-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended August 23, including Estée Lauder, Kohl’s, L Brands and The TJX Companies.

Insight Report | August 17, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 2Q20, Week 2: Canada Goose Stores See Slow Start in North America and Europe

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report second-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended August 16, including ASOS and Canada Goose.

Insight Report | August 17, 2020 Premium

July 2020 US Retail Sales: Strength in Multiple Nonfood Sectors Drives Total Growth to 10%

Building on extraordinary growth in June in a post-crisis environment, the strong growth momentum in total US retail sales in July 2020 was driven by multiple nonfood sectors—including sports and leisure goods and home improvement. Using data from the US Census Bureau, we look at which retail sectors saw sales surge and which did not do well in July 2020.

Insight Report | August 14, 2020 Premium

July 2020 US Retail Traffic and In-Store Metrics: Traffic Declines by 46%, and More Steeply Toward the End of the Month

July 2020 saw total US nonfood store traffic decline by 46.4% year over year, worsening from June’s decline as states rolled back reopening plans due to a spike in the number of coronavirus cases. We review store traffic changes through the month and the sectors most impacted by the current crisis.

Insight Report | August 10, 2020 Premium

Earnings Insights 2Q20, Week 1: Retailers’ Path to Recovery Is Being Led by Digital Business

Our weekly Earnings Insights reports feature highlights from recent management commentary at major US retailers as they report second-quarter 2020 earnings. We condense what retail companies are reporting, with a focus on the impact of the coronavirus crisis. This week, there are highlights from companies that reported in the week ended August 9 and earlier, including Amazon, Capri Holdings, CVS Health and VF Corporation.