Pre-Shopping Archives

The Biggest Consumer Shopping Trends of 2023

February 6, 2023January 30, 2023 by WslAdmin

2023 Trends blog banner featuring collage of shoppers and new trends such as metaverse, drive thru shopping, and innovative self-checkouts

WSL has been following the path of consumer shopping for decades. And through 2022, shoppers led us on a more focused, lifestyle-specific retail trip. To prepare for 2023, we culled through our How America Shops® and Retail Safari® market research, and zeroed in on seven big trends that predict what’s next for retail. Some will ... Read more

Retail Breaks Rules to Follow Shoppers Into the Holidays

November 24, 2023December 5, 2022 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring red background with female and male shoppers smiling with several shopping deal coupons floating around them

Retailers are barreling into the height of holiday shopping season, and many are following a new playbook, from Black Fridays that jump the gun to secret sales for reward members. Retailers and brands are following the shoppers wherever they want to go, and getting good at the game. This Holiday Season, Retailers Follow Shoppers, Not ... Read more

Gen Z is Waiting for You. Are You Coming?

December 13, 2022January 6, 2022 by WslAdmin

Gen Z girls shopping and smartphone with social media icons collage

If retailers and brands want to keep the lucrative, tech-raised shoppers of Gen Z, they need to come all the way to them. Due to technological imprinting, Gen Z’s innate expectations as shoppers far exceed those of other generations, and it presents new challenges, our How America Shops® research shows. So, here are the opportunities. ... Read more

Brands Lose Loyalty Online

November 24, 2023May 19, 2021 by WslAdmin

Online grocery sales soared by 54% in 2020, creating logistical challenges, but also unintended consequences for brands. As we learn here, buying CPG online raises a loyalty concern for brands. Shoppers surveyed for WSL’s How America Shops® research said they are far more likely to switch brands online than in-store. We delve into the research the ... Read more

What Will Stick for Retailers Post Pandemic and What Won’t

February 7, 2023January 11, 2021 by WslAdmin

Pair of feet in pointed shoes standing on concrete with chalk arrows and question mark drawn on the ground

During the months of the pandemic we have seen an acceleration of shopping behaviors that were already underway, while other more traditional practices are slipping away. One finding is clear: Retailers have proven how effectively they can adapt, and there is no going back. Keep Improving, Retail. The Bar is Rising. Just as no good ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Stockings to be Half Full

February 22, 2023December 11, 2019 by WslAdmin

As if the nation needed one more opinion on which to be divided: Half of shoppers are now giving the thumbs down to buying more gifts this holiday season. What is especially scary is those most likely to cut back are the youngest shoppers. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. Will ... Read more

Holiday Shopper Talk: Shoppers Call Off Black Friday

February 22, 2023November 18, 2019 by WslAdmin

Who’s waiting for Black Friday? Fewer people than last year. Holiday shopping is increasingly becoming an all-season affair, diluting the deal-busting power of Black Friday. This isn’t necessarily bad news – as long as retailers recognize the advantages behind the trend. Here’s what our 2019 Holiday How America Shops® research reveals. This Holiday Season, Any Day ... Read more

3 Ways to Get Voice-Activated Devices to Pay Off (Hint: You Need a Screen)

July 21, 2023July 15, 2019 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring family at home with voice activated device on kitchen counter

Can we talk about voice technology in retail? If retailers are investing in VA technology, they need to be doing so in areas beyond saving time and easy refills. These qualities are building blocks, but growth follows sales, and sales follow browsing. And that browsing must be displayed as well as heard, hands-free. Based on ... Read more

Gen Z Is Ignoring Your Loyalty Program – Here’s Why

February 22, 2023July 2, 2019 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring two Gen Z teens on their mobile devices with tech icons in the background

Retailers count more reward program memberships than any other industry – 1.6 billion in the U.S. Keeping those members active is another matter, however, and the challenge may be even greater among young Gen Z members. Here’s why, and four insights into how to click with Gen Z. There are 78 million of them. And ... Read more

Surrounded by Chaos, Shoppers Take Control

July 21, 2023March 11, 2019 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring paneled collage of shoppers activities during pandemic

Harried shoppers are trying to regain power in the areas of their lives where they could, and today that includes shopping trips. Retail brands should give it to them if they want to see higher sales. Based on what shoppers told us, we’ve devised a four-step strategy. Their world is in the grips of chaos, from ... Read more

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