Tag

Consumer Trends

All articles tagged with #consumer trends

business7 days ago•13 min saved

Walmart extends gains as higher-income shoppers lead the way

Walmart posted a 5.6% Q4 revenue gain to $190.7B and 10.8% higher operating income, with full-year net sales up about 4.7% to $706.4B and revenue to $713.2B; global e-commerce grew 24%, led by store-based fulfillment and the Walmart Marketplace; U.S. sales rose 4.6% with flat comps. Management said most gains came from households earning over $100k, while lower-income wallets are stretched but still seek convenience; CEO John Furner highlighted Sparky, Walmart’s AI assistant, which correlates to roughly a 35% higher average order value for its users. The company issued a conservative FY27 outlook of 3.5-4.5% net sales growth and 6-8% operating income growth.

via Retail Dive|

#business #consumer-trends #e-commerce

business29 days ago•15 min saved

France's Traditional Bistros Fade as Costs and Change Reshape Dining

Across France, traditional bistros serving classic dishes are disappearing as costs rise and a new generation favors fast, affordable dining; restaurant profits have plunged (from 11% of turnover in 2023 to around 3% in 2024), and raw material costs rose about 16% while average menu prices climbed roughly 23%, contributing to thousands of closures (about 9,800 in a year) and a looming two-tier dining culture.

via BBC|

#badgenotused #business #consumer-trends

business1 month ago•3 min saved

Crying Horse Plush Becomes Viral Symbol of China's Corporate Grind

An affordable Yiwu-made crying horse plush with an upside-down smile has gone viral ahead of Lunar New Year, resonating with weary Chinese workers and turning a manufacturing glitch into a symbol of workplace stress and collective emotion on social media.

via Business Insider|

#business #china #consumer-trends

business1 month ago•455 min saved

Fiber Takes Center Stage as the Next Big Health Trend

Gen Z’s focus on gut health is driving a fiber craze, with retailers adding high-fiber products and major brands like PepsiCo framing fiber as the next big trend after protein. Data show strong consumer interest in fiber-forward foods and snacks, while grocers and private-labels expand fiber-rich offerings. Still, experts caution that real, fiber-rich produce remains the best source, and taste matters as brands balance health goals with palatability amid dietary guidelines emphasizing whole foods.

via CNN|

#business #consumer-trends #fiber

business1 month ago•1 min saved

Dry January Sparks a Boom in Hemp-THC Beverages

As Dry January boosts demand for nonalcoholic hemp-derived THC drinks, retailers are expanding shelves and sales are rising, but a new federal law could push these products off shelves, creating regulatory risk amid growing consumer interest.

via The New York Times|

#beverages #business #consumer-trends

business1 month ago•9 min saved

Sprinkles Cupcakes: Rise of a Beverly Hills Boom, Now an Abrupt Shutdown

Sprinkles Cupcakes grew from Candace Nelson’s home bakery to a nationwide brand with signature 24‑hour cupcake ATMs and dozens of shops, but after Nelson’s 2012 exit and a private-equity takeover, the company abruptly closed all company‑owned locations by Dec. 31, 2025, leaving employees jobless and highlighting the risks of brick‑and‑mortar bakeries amid rising costs and shifting consumer tastes, despite diversification efforts like DTC sales and a new franchise program.

via Los Angeles Times|

#bakery-industry #business #consumer-trends

business5 months ago•2 min saved

Kraft Heinz to Split Amidst Changing Tastes and Strategic Shake-Up

Kraft Heinz is splitting into two companies after a decade of underperformance and a $57 billion loss in market value, marking a significant setback for Warren Buffett's investment. The breakup aims to focus on different product categories but raises questions about the effectiveness of splitting in a declining consumer demand environment for processed foods.

via Fortune|

#business #consumer-trends #kraft-heinz

business5 months ago•2 min saved

Starbucks Introduces Permanent Protein Lattes and Cold Foams

Starbucks is launching new protein-packed cold foam and lattes on September 29, catering to the growing consumer demand for high-protein options, with various flavors and customization options, as part of its menu modernization and sales growth strategy.

via CNBC|

#business #consumer-trends #lattes

business6 months ago•10 min saved

Millennials' Favorite Companies: Growth or Decline?

Once-trendy millennial brands like Midea and Glossier are facing challenges as their appeal wanes and they struggle to stay relevant, with many shifting from trendy, purpose-driven marketing to more mainstream, product-focused strategies amid retail declines and changing consumer preferences. The era of the 'cool' millennial brand is fading, replaced by more traditional retail models and a focus on product quality over branding gimmicks.

via Business Insider|

#brand-aging #brand-authenticity #business

business7 months ago•3 min saved

Pepsi Launches Prebiotic Cola to Capitalize on Health Trends

PepsiCo is launching a healthier version of its classic cola, called Pepsi Prebiotic Cola, to attract health-conscious consumers and younger drinkers shifting towards gut-friendly and sparkling water options. The new soda, which contains prebiotic fibers and no artificial sweeteners, aims to revive interest in the traditional cola flavor and compete with brands like Poppi and Olipop. It will initially be sold online in November before expanding to retailers in 2026, as Pepsi seeks to adapt to changing consumer preferences and boost sales.

via CNN|

#better-for-you #business #consumer-trends

health-and-science7 months ago•6 min saved

Common Mistakes That Sabotage Vegan Diets and How to Fix Them

Despite the popularity of plant-based foods and the growth of meat substitutes, recent sales in UK supermarkets have declined for three consecutive years, possibly due to consumer preferences shifting towards less processed, more authentic foods, and taste and texture issues with current meat alternatives. The future of vegan food may depend on developing better, more palatable products and understanding evolving consumer demands.

via The i Paper|

#consumer-trends #food-industry #health-and-science

business8 months ago•3 min saved

J.M. Smucker Shares Drop Amid Profit and Outlook Concerns

J.M. Smucker's stock plummeted 14% after reporting mixed quarterly earnings and projecting a decline in profit for fiscal 2026, amid challenges like rising costs, declining sales in key segments, and changing consumer preferences, leading to concerns about the company's future performance.

via Barron's|

#business #consumer-trends #earnings

business8 months ago•5 min saved

Cannabis and Wellness Trends Challenge Traditional Liquor Sales, Says Brown-Forman CEO

The CEO of Brown-Forman, parent company of Jack Daniel's, states that increasing marijuana use is exerting pressure on the alcohol industry, contributing to recent profit declines, as more consumers substitute cannabis for alcohol. This trend is supported by various studies indicating a shift in consumer preferences, with marijuana viewed as less harmful and increasingly used as a substitute for alcohol, especially among younger adults. International trends show similar patterns, and industry experts predict continued challenges for alcohol sales amid expanding cannabis legalization.

via Marijuana Moment|

#alcohol-industry #business #consumer-trends

business9 months ago•1 min saved

Campbell's profits rise as at-home dining trend continues

Campbell's beat Q3 sales and profit estimates driven by increased demand for canned foods and soups as consumers prefer eating at home amid economic uncertainty and inflation, though some segments like snacks lag behind. The company maintains its full-year sales forecast but expects some impact from tariffs and cost inflation, and is exploring pricing and sourcing strategies.

via Yahoo Finance|

#business #campbells #consumer-trends

business1 year ago•3 min saved

McDonald's Revamps Menu with $1 Deals and $5 Meal Offers

McDonald's is launching a new "McValue" menu to address consumer concerns over high fast-food prices, which have led many to cook at home instead. The menu, effective January 2025, includes deals like the $5 Meal Deal and "Buy One, Add One for $1," aiming to boost sales amid declining revenue and a recent E.coli outbreak. McDonald's acknowledges the need for affordability, especially for lower-income consumers, as it faces criticism for price increases.

via TheStreet|

#business #consumer-trends #fast-food