In June 2023 — when compared to the same month last year — U.S. retail sales revenue increased 1%, while unit sales declined 3%, reported Circana. Contributing to these results were declines of 4% in dollar sales and 9% in unit sales of discretionary general merchandise compared to last June. Food and beverage consumer packaged…
Chocolate Sales Expected to Rise
As consumers continue to demand a variety of snack offerings in stores, chocolate will continue to be a top seller for retailers. The global chocolate retail market is expected to reach revenues of $176.20 billion by 2028 at a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%, according to Research and Markets “Global Chocolate Retail Report.” As…
Swipe Fees Could Drive Up Fourth of July Costs by $500 Million Nationwide
The Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC) has estimated that credit card swipe fees employed by banks and card networks could increase consumers’ cost of celebrating the Fourth of July by more than $500 million this year. “Fourth of July is the most American of our national holidays but there is nothing American about fees that are…
C-Store Foodservice Visits in Canada Slow by 5%
Canada’s foodservice industry continues to thrive and increase in the double digits as customers’ dining behaviors shift and they start going out more after the pandemic. Customer visits to restaurants and other foodservice outlets increased by 11%, and spending grew by 18% in the quarter ending March compared to a year ago, according to Circana,…
Touchless Restroom Fixtures in Demand by 82% of Americans
Most Americans go out of their way to avoid surfaces and touch points in public bathrooms, revealed The Bradley Corp.’s Healthy Handwashing Survey. According to the survey, 62% of Americans use a paper towel as a barrier to avoid touching flushers, faucets and doors. Women are even more likely to use the “paper towel as…
Loyalty Programs Prove Effective for Foodservice
Higher food prices and inflation caused many consumers to prioritize deals at restaurants and retail foodservice outlets. As a result, customer visits that took advantage of deals and loyalty promotions rose by 8% in the quarter ending March compared to a year ago, Circana — formerly IRI and The NPD Group — reported. The increase…
Lower Gas Prices Incentivize Travel
GasBuddy revealed in a recent survey that the lower gas prices this Memorial Day weekend — $1.10 less than last year on average nationwide — may not be enough to get many Americans to travel this summer. According to GasBuddy’s 2023 Summer Travel Survey, 64% of Americans are planning to take a summer road trip…
Higher Food Costs Prompt 75% of Consumers to Cut Back
Inflation is rising 4.9% less than a year ago, according to the April Consumer Price Index (CPI), but food prices still rose 7.7% between April 2022 and April 2023. Adding to the impact of food inflation are economic factors like increased consumer credit debt, depletion of savings built during the pandemic, and cutbacks on pandemic-related…
Mother’s Day Could See Large Credit Card Fees for Consumers
Mother’s Day shopping brings consumers out in abundance to retailers, and the rising “swipe” fees big banks and credit card networks charge merchants to process transactions could cost consumers nearly $800 million for the holiday, according to the Merchants Payments Coalition (MPC). “Everything from greeting cards and flowers to dining out and jewelry will cost…
Zero-Sugar Beverage Market Continues to Grow
The zero-sugar beverage market is expected to surpass $13,150.6 million by 2033 as demand for natural sweeteners and healthy beverage options soar, according to Future Market Insights‘ Zero Sugar Beverages Market Report. It is anticipated to accelerate, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7% between 2023 and 2033. Premiumization has helped close…