Pet Archives - WSL Strategic Retail

How America Shops® with AI: An Evolution, not a Revolution

Everywhere you turn people are talking about how AI is changing the workplace, the economy, even the arts and dating! But so often the shoppers’ voices are missing from the conversation. We determined to rectify that in this new study. We conducted in-depth one-on-one interviews to understand how people, across generations, are (and are not) ... Read more

The Shoppers’ Social Shopping Handbook

In this report, we looked at how social media fits into shoppers’ lives today – especially compared to other digital shopping outlets. We have long tracked the evolution of social shopping in people’s lives, from TV shopping and catalogues to the internet, livestreaming, and the metaverse. This new study paints a clear picture of the ... Read more

How America Shops® in Chaos: What’s Worth It Now?

In this report, we looked at how shoppers’ habits, preferences, and thinking have changed in light of seemingly endless crises. We wanted to better understand how shoppers are navigating a chaotic world, how they’re changing (or not changing) their values and preferences, and the roles brands and retailers can play in helping them navigate through. ... Read more

Decoding the Digital Titans: Winners & Losers

How America Shops® report banner featuring puppet master hands with strings attached to Amazon, Walmart, and Target imagery

In this report we dive deeper into the world of connected commerce, as there is no such thing as an “online shopper” anymore – nearly all shoppers make purchases both offline AND online. Given the number of omni-shoppers purchasing weekly from both Amazon and Mass Merchandisers, we focused on understanding who shops, how they shop, ... Read more

More Frustrated Shoppers = Concerning Retail Impact… But Also An Opportunity

Main banner for FutureNow FutureNext Vol 3, featuring woman looking between OTC products and her phone in store

Future Now Future Next — Volume 3 [ 2024 ] Unique and disruptive innovation in CPG has declined while shoppers have become increasingly frustrated with rising prices for the same—or smaller—packaging. As a result, shoppers at all income levels are trading down or switching brands. This presents challenges, but also an opportunity for brands and ... Read more

The Impact of TLC on Retail Sales (Trust. Loyalty. Caring.)

Main banner for 2024 How America Shops® Report 3

In this report we wanted to investigate the links between Trust, Loyalty, and Caring to see how they work together and help identify ways for brands and retailers to better leverage them to win. We also wanted to better understand the relationship between price and quality across categories to uncover ways to motivate shoppers to ... Read more

Seismic Population Shifts Demand New Retail Strategies

In this study we present a look at how the changing demographics and household types in America affect shoppers’ behaviors. We look at the traditional How America Shops® measures of financial comfort and see security rebound from where it was at the end of 2023 to be more in line with where it’s been in ... Read more

Caution! Retail Curves Ahead

In this study we present a preview of the attitudes, anxieties and concerns that shoppers are experiencing as this holiday season approaches— and will carry with them into 2024. We trend the traditional How America Shops® measures of financial outlook and see many more shoppers barely holding on, and financial security taking a dive. We ... Read more

Paradox of the New Shopping World

In this report you will learn the impact of the paradox that is driving permanent change in retail as shoppers cope by creating their own solutions. Paradox #1: Inflation still roars: Low income are frugal out of necessity and higher income “just in case”! Paradox #2: More is Less: More channels to shop, retailers to spend, ... Read more

Leading Shoppers from Troubles to Joy

Troubles to Joy HAS Report banner featuring JOY in large letters and collage of troubles from previous years

The pandemic was the catalyst for what the Irish call the “Troubles” that expanded to social and political unrest, the erosion of trust in the tools we use for shopping, and what started as inflation shoppers now feel is a permanent price correction. This report updates the shopping and social behaviors changed by permanent inflation. ... Read more