innovation Archives

Diversity, Not Income, Defines Destination Shopping

November 24, 2023May 16, 2023 by WslAdmin

Democratized Retail banner featuring collage of high end Prada and Bergdorf Goodman stores and low end Five Below and Uniqlo stores

During our market research, WSL has noticed a big consumer trend among some of the most expensive shopping districts in the country: democratization. These destinations, from Manhattan to Las Vegas, seem to have acknowledged that the people passing through represent all incomes as well as high and low spending. Our retail research backs it up. ... Read more

How America Shops® Explores: 4 Ways to Lead Shoppers to Joy

November 24, 2023May 5, 2023 by WslAdmin

Blog banner for 4 Ways to Lead Shoppers to Joy

The troubles of the past three years have been overwhelming, and consumers are ready to get some joy back into their lives. Joy happens in everyday experiences, including shopping, feeding the family, decorating and maintaining the home. Joy is essential to consumer feelings, confidence and loyalty. To learn the role of retail and brands, we ... Read more

Gen Alpha’s Influence Is Taking Hold at Retail

May 10, 2023April 20, 2023 by WslAdmin

Gen Alpha blog banner featuring three Gen Alpha teens and their interests

WSL has long advised that to know the shopper, you have to follow the shopper. And today, many of those shoppers are following someone in very small shoes. Gen Alpha, the oldest of whom are just approaching 14, have outsized influence as consumers. These brands and retailers are responding, with formats just for the Gen ... Read more

Pet Wellness and Loyalty: A Retail Safari® Exclusive

November 24, 2023April 7, 2023 by WslAdmin

The pet category’s foray into wellness is burgeoning, despite rising prices. In fact, brand loyalty in this category outpaces most others. But this exploding category risks facing a challenge common in wellness: confusion due to too many choices and fragmented retail. We sent our Retail Safari® scouts to check out the new pet marketplace. Retailers, ... Read more

Consumer or Shopper: Here’s The Difference!

November 24, 2023March 20, 2023 by WslAdmin

Consumer vs Shopper blog banner featuring collage of consumers on the left and shoppers on the right

All shoppers are consumers, but not all consumers are shoppers. Are retailers and brands making the proper distinction? In exploring what distinguishes these two groups, we also unearth through market research just how much shopping, not consumption, has changed – and how retailers can keep up. Are You Treating Your Shoppers Like Consumers? There is ... Read more

The Infinite Store Inside a Small Format

March 1, 2023March 1, 2023 by WslAdmin

Blog banner featuring collage of storefronts and in-store of UGG, Kohl's, and Bloomies

For our latest Retail Safari® excursions, our scouts visited several new retail concepts that meet the consumer’s preference for a quick trip but with innovative merchandising and experiential perks. What each of these store formats has in common: a small footprint where consumers can shop fast. Here’s what they get right about consumer expectations. Retail ... Read more

Gen Z and Millennials Pave New Retailer Trends in WELLness

February 6, 2023November 14, 2022 by WslAdmin

Teladoc, Fitness Training, Gen Z, and Fitness Apps Banner

We asked shoppers which health conditions they are managing most today, then broke the responses down by generations. The results: members of Gen Z and Millennials are dealing with a range of unpredicted wellness issues. And they’re not all are turning to traditional physicians. Retailers, get in front of this – now. Millennials or Gen ... Read more

The Reimagined Store Won’t Make You Stay. Unless You Want To

November 24, 2023November 1, 2022 by WslAdmin

Retail Reimagined, inclusive displays, customizable clothes, curated products thumbnail

New themes are emerging in today’s more innovative stores, including some of the most traditional chains we shop. WSL’s researchers compare trips to our neighborhood Walmart and Target stores with those from our recent Retail Safari® tours to learn how different retailers are meeting what matters most to shoppers now. Do Stores No Longer Want ... Read more

Why Gen X Could Be Beauty’s Biggest Consumer Base

July 24, 2023October 24, 2022 by WslAdmin

By Emily Dougherty, October 21, 2022 || BeautyInc. - A Publication of WWD Women over the age of 50 have been routinely ignored by marketers for decades. Now, though, healthier and wealthier than any generation of women before them, Gen X is coming resolutely into focus. As American women age, they start feeling invisible and undervalued. This ... Read more

Maesa Launches Itk Skin Care Brand With TikTok Stars Brooklyn, Bailey McKnight

January 10, 2023August 25, 2022 by WslAdmin

By James Manso on August 19, 2022 || BeautyInc. - A Publication of WWD TikTok creators Brooklyn and Bailey McKnight's new Gen Z skin care brand Itk is launching Monday in an exclusive partnership with Walmart as the retailer bids on younger, digitally native consumers. With Gen Z street cred on one hand and brand-building prowess ... Read more

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