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Research

January 28, 2025
 

IMF Global Economic Forecasts: Growth Divergent and Uncertain

 Global growth is projected at 3.3 percent both in 2025 and 2026, below the historical (2000–19) average of 3.7 percent. Global headline inflation is expected to decline to 4.2 percent in 2025 and to 3.5 percent in 2026, converging back to target earlier in advanced economies than in emerging markets and developing economies. - From the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
January 20, 2025
 

What matters to today’s consumer 2025

One significant finding is that generative AI (Gen AI) is increasingly influencing consumer behavior and transforming shopping experiences. A notable 68% of consumers are prepared to act on its recommendations, and over half (58%) prefer product recommendations from Gen AI tools over traditional search engines. - From Capgemini

January 06, 2025
 

The Impact of Retail Theft & Violence 2024 in USA Retail

 USA retailers surveyed experienced a 93% increase in the average number of shoplifting incidents per year in 2023 versus 2019 and a 90% increase in dollar loss due to shoplifting during that same time period. And the rise in shoplifting has continued past the pandemic.  73% of those surveyed say that shoplifters are exhibiting more violence. - From National Retail Federation
December 02, 2024
 

European Non-Grocery Retail: Transition and Transformation

After an unpredictable several years, non-grocery retailers in Europe are seeking to uncover pockets of growth. To succeed, they will need to navigate differences across markets and retail categories. - From McKinsey

November 18, 2024
 

Unlocking Shopper Reactions to Secured Products

 60% of shoppers report seeing locked-up merchandise on a regular basis. More than a quarter of shoppers say a retailer loses their purchase when items are locked up. 62% of shoppers say they typically wait for assistance when they encounter locked up merchandise, and 9% say they order the item online from that same retailer. - From Numerator.com
November 05, 2024
 

Feeding the Future: Transforming Fast-Moving Consumer Goods with Data Driven Intelligence

 The grocery industry is experiencing a significant transformation driven by the adoption of AI, ML, and generative AI technologies. Grocery retailers utilizing AI/ML in demand intelligence, inventory management, and merchandise management see a 99% higher sales growth and a 75% higher profit growth compared to those who do not. - From the IHL Group
August 12, 2024
 

Fixing Inventory Distortion. Are we there yet?

 

In 2024, inventory distortion amounted to over $1.7 USD trillion worldwide, a decrease of 2.8% from 2023 (Out-of-Stocks improved by 3.7%, Overstocks by 0.7%), and a decrease of 12.0% from 2022. The total lost is equivalent to approximately 1.0% of the global GDP, or the entire GDP of Australia. - From IHL Services

August 06, 2024
 

Majority of retailers in ‘theft crisis’ mode, with a third saying resources for detection and reduction are insufficient

New research reveals that almost two-thirds (64%) of large retailers in the UK and US agree that the impact of theft has reached a crisis point. In addition, over four-in-ten (42%) believe that theft is more of a concern today than it was twelve months ago. - from Avery Dennison

July 22, 2024
 

McKinsey Technology Trends Outlook 2024

 

Which technology trends matter most for companies in 2024? New analysis by the McKinsey Technology Council highlights the adoption, development, and industry effects of advanced technologies.  The two trends that stood out in 2023 were gen AI and electrification and renewables. - From McKinsey and Company

July 08, 2024
 

Five 2024 Holiday Shopping Predictions

 

Holiday shopping will look different for retailers this year.  After remaining largely resilient throughout four years of economic uncertainty, consumers are finally feeling the pinch.  Nearly a third of global shoppers (32%) reported using alternative credit services like buy now, pay later (BNPL) more frequently this year. - From Digital Commerce 360

June 29, 2024
 

Top 10 Emerging Technologies of 2024

The Top 10 Emerging Technologies report is a vital source of strategic intelligence. First published in 2011, it draws on insights from scientists, researchers and futurists to identify 10 technologies poised to significantly influence societies and economies. These emerging technologies are disruptive, attractive to investors and researchers, and expected to achieve considerable scale within five years. - From the World Economic Forum

June 21, 2024
 

State of the Consumer 2024: What’s now and what’s next

Consumers no longer fit into traditional archetypes. Some of the most influential consumers of tomorrow are currently underserved. What consumers want is changing too. Weakened brand loyalty, affordability over sustainability, and heightened interest in wellness products and services reflect the preferences and priorities of consumers across ages and geographies. - From McKinsey & Company

May 20, 2024
 

What matters to Today’s Consumer: 2024 consumer behavior tracker for the consumer and retail industries

This report is the third in our annual research series that examines evolving consumer behaviors. This year, we find that many of the behaviors we noted in our 2023 report have persisted, with consumers continuing to express concern about their personal financial situations amid rising inflation. However, this concern has dropped significantly in the past twelve months as just 43% of consumers worry their personal finances will worsen over the next 6–9 months, compared with 80% who were concerned that they would worsen in the equivalent period last year. - From Cap Gemini

May 13, 2024
 

2024 Work Trend Index Annual Report: AI at Work is Here. Now Comes the Hard Part

AI is being woven into the workplace at an unexpected scale. 75% of knowledge workers use AI at work today, and 46% of users started using it less than six months ago. It’s paying off as users say AI helps them save time (90%), focus on their most important work (85%), be more creative (84%), and enjoy their work more (83%). - From Microsoft & LinkedIn

May 06, 2024
 

Retail’s Hidden Advantage: How RFID & Computer Vision’s Radically Improve Operational Improvements

Companies that are already using RFID technology in our study averaged profit growth in 2023 that was 57% higher than those who do not. And they are expecting their profits in 2024 to be 88% higher than those not already using RFID. Companies are 34x more likely to use computer vision already and 35% more likely to invest in computer vision in 2024 than below average performers. - From IHL Services