Sujeet Naik, Analyst

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 | April 29, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 12: Filings Down, IRS Issues $158 Billion in Economic Impact Payments

As of week 12 of the US tax refund season, the number of returns received by the IRS is significantly down year over year and a huge percentage of these were filed electronically—both impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. Economic Impact Payments totaled around $158 billion in the program’s first three weeks.

Insight Report | April 28, 2020 Premium

Coronavirus Insights: Americans under Isolation Orders Fuel the Vice Economy

Stay-at-home Americans are indulging in their favorite vices while waiting out the coronavirus pandemic. We look at the impact of the current crisis on a number of vice industries, namely pornography, recreational cannabis, alcohol and tobacco/cigarettes.

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 22, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 11: Tax Filings Decline Sharply, Average Refund Up 2% from Last Year

As of week 11 of the US tax refund season, the number of returns received by the IRS is significantly down year over year as taxpayers take advantage of a filing extension amid the coronavirus crisis. A high number of taxpayers used also the IRS website for information, with Taxpayer Assistance Centers being closed.

Insight Report | April 21, 2020 Premium

Consumer Tech Briefing: Coronavirus Crisis Spurs New Technological Innovations

Each month, our Consumer Tech Briefing series discusses recent developments in the world of technology. This month, we focus on digital tools that have been launched to encourage and track social distancing and hygiene during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

Insight Report | April 16, 2020 Premium

Coronavirus Insights: US Cannabis Industry Sees Sales Spike, Supply Chain Disruptions and Launch of CBD Sanitizers

Panic buying amidst the coronavirus crisis has extended to the cannabis and CBD industries in the US. We discuss recent sales data and explore other ways in which the pandemic has impacted these industries, considering online delivery and curbside pickup services, the designation of cannabis businesses as “essential” services, supply chain disruptions and new product launches of CBD-infused hand sanitizer.

Insight Report | April 15, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 10: Tax Filings Slide Further, Average Refund Up 1.6% from Last Year

As of week 10 of the US tax refund season, the IRS has reported that the average refund amount was up slightly. Tax filing numbers have dropped year over year and are likely to continue to do so in the coming weeks as taxpayers take advantage of a 90-day filing extension granted by the IRS due to the coronavirus crisis.

Deep Dive | April 14, 2020 Premium

Amazon Apparel Consumer Survey 2020: Amazon Cements Its Lead in US Fashion Market

In our third annual consumer-survey report on Amazon’s position in apparel, we explore how many US shoppers are buying clothing and footwear on Amazon, why, and where (if anywhere) they are switching spending from—among many other findings.

Deep Dive | April 13, 2020 Premium

European Apparel Retailing: Value and E-Commerce Continue To Set the Pace

In this report, we look at the European apparel retail sector, with a focus on France, Germany and the UK. In addition to discussing apparel sales in these regions, we discuss how online pure plays are on an upward growth trajectory, bucking the doom-and-gloom trend, as well as efforts by European value retailers to expand their reach and footprint. We also consider multibrand e-commerce players’ moves in the sportswear space and sustainability efforts.

Insight Report | April 8, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 9: Tax Filings Slow Down, Average Refund Up $35 from Last Year

As of week nine of the US tax refund season, the number of returns processed by the IRS is down year over year. With the IRS temporarily closing down all Taxpayer Assistance Centers and suspending all in-person customer service nationwide due to the coronavirus crisis, a high number of taxpayers used the IRS website for information.

Insight Report | April 1, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 8: Average Refund Size Increases Slightly Over Last Year

As we head into week eight of the US tax refund season, the IRS has reported average refund amounts are up slightly, while online information searches surge as in-person assistance is suspended.

Insight Report | March 25, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 7: Coronavirus Disruption Prompts IRS To Extend Tax Filing and Payment Deadline by 90 Days

With IRS service centers closed and all in-person meetings with taxpayers cancelled, the US Department of the Treasury announced the IRS will extend the tax deadline from April 15 to July 15. That extension also means taxpayers can pay late without interest or penalties.

Insight Report | March 18, 2020 Premium

2020 Tax Tracker, Week 6: Average Refund Size Almost Equal to Last Year

As of week six of the US tax refund season, the number of returns processed by the IRS is down marginally year over year, while the total value of tax refunds is almost equal to last year.

Deep Dive | March 18, 2020 Premium

America’s Changing Shopping Centers: Part 1—Where the Mall Stands Now

The first report in our series America’s Changing Shopping Centers offers a data-rich exploration of where malls stand now. In particular, we look at how the rationalization of mall space has lagged store closures, suggesting a correction could be overdue.

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.