Gen Z Finds Its Own Unique Path to Purchase

Blog banner featuring woman holding drink while looking at store jewelry
Sometimes it’s a new path, sometimes it’s an old one. Here’s a very personal, Gen Z, view of shopping that underscores how fresh and new even long-term retail practices are to young consumers. Retailers that do not see their shopping experience through young eyes risk losing relevance, and growth opportunities. Meet Kaci, WSL’s summer intern ... Read more

The Store Still Matters to Consumers Along with Digital

Blog banner featuring man and woman looking up thoughtfully with through bubbles around them
In our latest shopper study, “Benchmarking The Future”, what is evident is this: over the last decade, we’ve digitized, we’ve “omnied”, we’ve “niched” and we’ve socialized.  It has been important to do that.  Many shoppers do want digital tools and omni-channel access, and new ways of connecting to each other, as well as new and ... Read more

The Miss with Walmart’s Jetblack

Blog banner featuring mother holding her child in the kitchen and talking to her other two children
By Candace Corlett // President at WSL  Watching Walmart has become my new entertainment (along with Broadway theater, Mr. Robot, Westworld, Suits, and my grandson, Baby James Jordan.) I am watching this brilliant example of how a long stretch of losses (9 quarters of poor sales performance at Walmart) energized this company that had become ... Read more

Big Brands Still Matter – Stop Being So Defensive

Blog banner featuring woman pushing a cart down a store aisle with blurred background
Small brands are gaining trust and influence on the store shelf, but can retailers just walk away from big heritage labels? Not likely. Shoppers want access to both small and big names, our research shows, but for different reasons. Here’s how adventure, and even self-expression, factor in, and how some merchants are responding. Bigger Brands ... Read more

Shoppers Want Respect, Not Discounts | 7 Brands that Deliver

Blog banner featuring woman laying on the grass and smiling with several retailer logos around her
Shoppers yearn for retailers that deliver respect, but our research shows only a handful deliver it the way shoppers want it. What are they doing right? We explore several examples of retail companies that succeed in winning the shopper’s respect. When the shopper wants to be put first, she goes to Aldi. Or Amazon or ... Read more

Gen Z Is More Important Today Than Ever, 5 Reasons Why

Blog banner featuring woman with sunglasses holding her phone while rolling inside a shopping cart
Generation Z, now one-quarter of the US population, is growing up and providing a fresh glimpse into retail’s future. Here are five factors you need to know about how this generation shops and differs from Millennials. Generation Z, those born between 1996 and 2011, represents 26% of the total population, according to Nielsen, and its roughly 72 ... Read more

Are You Getting In The Shopper’s Way? If Not, It’s Time

Blog banner featuring two women shopping in a store with a clerk behind the counter
Shoppers demand to make purchases in different ways, and those different ways are changing. To cross their paths, a merchant needs to connect with shoppers in the fleeting moments when they may be considering a purchase. Here are three ways to do so. The shopper left for the store as focused as a missile, but something en ... Read more

How to Replace The Holiday Hype with Happiness

Blog banner featuring woman smiling at her phone in a store with image of gift boxes next to her
Try what retailers may; the days of shoppers turning into last-minute Christmas fairies are fading. Holiday shopping behavior is now like everyday behavior, and shoppers just want to combine it into their regular activities. A few guiding trends can help brands prepare. The trees have been up since September and the carols were playing before ... Read more

Shoppers Have Ditched Routines: Here’s How to Reach Them

Blog banner featuring photo of busy street of people with motion blur and dotted line paths overlaid on top
When it comes to shopping, the routine has all but disappeared for a significant portion of shoppers. Fortunately, a wealth of digital technology can help brands and retailers intercept shoppers – if they prioritize. We’ve got three disarmingly easy ways to do so. Want to sum up the shopper’s path to purchase in 10 words? Try ... Read more

How Supermarkets Can Win Back The Millennial Shopper

Blog banner featuring market cafe and shoppers busily moving around
Fringe eateries, including kiosk-enabled restaurants and well-placed food emporiums, are nibbling at the edges of supermarket’s share, particularly among Millennial shoppers. Here’s what supermarkets can learn from places that offer convenience, fun and “better” food. It’s 6 p.m., the commute is a bear, and the shopper has one key requirement for tonight’s dinner: It’s got ... Read more

Thank you for your message.

Your message has been received and we will be contacting you shortly to follow-up. If you would like to speak to someone immediately feel free to give us a call.
212 . 924 . 7780

    Subscribe to our Shopper, Retail Trends and Research Insights.

    *All fields are mandatory.

    You can manage your subscriptions and unsubscribe at any time.

    Thanks for signing up!

    Check your inbox for an email from info@wslstrategicretail.com. Make sure to check your spam folder and add us to your Safe Senders list. Please allow up to 48 hours for the messages to come through.

    Have Questions?

      Tells us a bit about you.

      You will receive an email with the download link shortly. Check your spam folder if you don't see it.

      Thank you. Check your inbox.

      Check your inbox to find your download link. Please be sure to check your spam folder if you can't find it.
      Contact us for questions: 212 . 924 . 7780

        How can we help you?

        Thank you for your message.

        Your message has been received and we will be contacting you shortly to follow-up. If you would like to speak to someone immediately feel free to give us a call.
        212 . 924 . 7780