Economy

Articles on how the economy is impacting retail.

  1. Associates & Employees
Happy employees create a more successful retail environment, but one survey has found that nearly one in every two frontline employees are unhappy with their job due to low pay, inflexible hours, poor leadership and a lack of growth opportunities. As the retail industry continues to struggle with high employee turnover, Best Buy and Hot Topic are tackling […]
  1. Data & Insights
Abracadabra! Small pharmacies have ghosted Medicare Part D’s preferred networks—no farewell party, no breakup text, just a quiet exit. A few months ago , DCI highlighted how the largest pharmacy chains are participating as preferred cost sharing pharmacies in the 2025 stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP) networks. Today, we update our exclusive analysis of how […]
  1. Associates & Employees
In a vote last week, employees at an Amazon warehouse in Garner, N.C. voted 2,447 to 829 against joining an employee-led union, Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity and Empowerment (CAUSE), according to The New York Times and multiple media outlets. CAUSE, formed in 2022, is seeking longer lunch breaks, increased vacation time and starting wages […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
We’re joined by fellow Retail Voices by NRF honoree Kevin Ervin Kelley to unpack some of the key lessons from his remarkable book Irreplaceable: Creating Extraordinary Places That Bring People Together and his recent NRF “Big Show” talk. We discuss how physical retail must dramatically evolve in an ever more digital world, the “Bonfire Effect,” his […]
  1. Corporate Strategy
The Scottish government has called on Westminster to reconsider the increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions, warning that it would seriously hinder plans for growth. Employment and investment minister Tom Arthur believes the move will negatively impact consumers and Scotland’s economy. It’s claimed that the measure, announced by chancellor… This story continues at Scottish govt urges NI hike reconsideration […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  The restaurant industry is set to maintain its upward trajectory, outpacing other food retail sectors and solidifying its role as a dominant force in the U.S. economy. After surpassing $1 trillion in sales for the first time in 2024, the National Restaurant Association projects an even stronger 2025, with sales expected to hit $1.5 […]
  1. Corporate Strategy
Today’s guest post comes from Angie Franks, CEO at Kalderos Angie describes the compliance challenges that stakeholders face in managing the complex interactions of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program, and IRA’s Maximum Fair Price and inflation rebate provisions. She explains how clean, comprehensive claims data can resolve these issues. To learn […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
The UK economy avoided another technical recession today, as gross domestic product unexpectedly grew fractionally, rather than falling as analysts had predicted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed a 0.1% rise in GDP between October and December, mainly fuelled by a 0.4% expansion in… This story continues at Latest figures reveal fractional boost for […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
Recent actions by the Trump administration to remove references to and celebrations of heritage months and specific demographics (including Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, and those honoring women and individuals with disabilities), have sparked concern. Such decisions risk undermining the recognition of diverse contributions that have shaped American society and the economy. Amidst this […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Food prices are expected to remain volatile through 2025, says Inverto, the procurement and supply chain management subsidiary of Boston Consulting Group. Inverto says that the long-term trend towards more extreme weather events will continue to hit regional crop yields causing sudden price spikes. A… This story continues at Food prices expected to remain volatile, […]
  1. Associates & Employees
Despite persistent inflation and a cooling labor market, US tech spending is forecast to grow by 6.1% in the US in 2025 to reach a staggering $2.7 trillion. Find out what’s driving this growth and what tech leaders can expect in 2025.
  1. Technology & Innovation
Kanye West’s Yeezy online store has been taken down by Shopify following the sale of swastika t-shirts. The musician and entrepreneur reportedly splashed out $2 million on a single advert which aired during the Super Bowl at the weekend, directing people to his website where the t-shirts were being sold. “So what’s up, guys? I […]
  1. Department & Category
  The line between restaurants and food retailers is growing ever thinner. The battle for America’s food dollars has intensified as consumers embrace fresh, prepared, ready-2-eat (RTE) and heat-n-eat (HNE) options available across a rapidly expanding spectrum of retail channels. Convenience stores, chain drug stores, grocery stores, club stores, mass merchandisers, vending machines, and even […]
  1. Department: Food
  The restaurant industry has long relied on food marketing calendars to drive menu innovation, seasonal promotions, and consumer engagement according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. But in a politically charged environment where tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating commodity prices loom large, menu planning in TRUMP 2.0 could […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Ikea says that it has received 3,730 applications in just six days for its new Oxford Street, London store. Interest in the 150 available positions marks the largest ever response the home furnishing retailer has seen in the UK. It provides the independently set Real Living Wage of £13.85 per hour alongside benefits including flexible […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Total Till sales grew at UK supermarkets (+5.3%) in the last four weeks ending 27 January 2025, up from +3.6% recorded in December, according to new data released today by NielsenIQ (NIQ). With a better outlook on food inflation (+1.6%) compared to last year (+6.4%),… This story continues at Steady food retail sales in January, […]
  1. Agencies & Vendors
Take-home sales at the grocers rose by 4.3% over the four weeks to 26 January compared with one year ago, according to the latest data from Kantar. January spelled relief for shoppers as grocery price inflation slowed to 3.3% over the four weeks. With household… This story continues at Healthier choices drive grocery spending as […]
  1. Data & Insights
ICYMI, the largest three pharmaceutical wholesalers—Cardinal Health, Cencora, and McKesson—are using vertical integration to build significant market positions in businesses beyond drug distribution. In the video clip below, I review the vertical integration status of the largest three pharmaceutical wholesalers, illustrated in the chart below. [Click to Enlarge] I also: Explain how wholesalers have strengthened […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
President Donald Trump’s tariffs add new complications for US grocery shoppers, who are already tired of high food and drink prices. If President Trump’s proposals for tariffs become a reality, food and drink companies as well as retailers will need to justify any price increases, while maintaining an agile approach to their supply chains as […]
  1. Owned Brands (Private Label)
The private label landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth and transformation across retail channels. With all the news around private label performance, various new brand launches last year, and recent tariff concerns, and the buzz at PLMA in Chicago, the Harvest Group team decided to pause and reflect on how businesses at Walmart, Target, and Amazon […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
In today’s world, mega-retailers have changed the way we shop. They offer same-day delivery and auto-shipment and sell cheaper versions of popular brands. Because of this, consumers now expect faster, easier transactions. Yet, they also want a personal touch. In fact, recent data tells us that of consumers who preferred to shop small this past […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Joining us to discuss his brilliant new book Rethinking Work: Seismic Changes in the Where, When & Why, is author, speaker, and trusted advisor Rishad Tobaccowala. Rishad returns to the pod to share important themes in how work is changing in profound ways and what leaders need to do to respond to emerging and powerful new […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Cart.com, Primark, Amazon, Ikea, Reckon.ai, Hugo Boss, Qsic, Outdoor and Cycle Concepts partners, and Pricer. Cart.com research finds retailers prepping 2025 investments in CX, AI, machine learning and data analytics Unified commerce solutions provider, Cart.com, has released survey findings among […]

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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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