For those who have made the trek to the grocery store during the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s been quite the departure from the typical shopping experience. Masks and occupancy restrictions represent two of the most visible changes, but customers have also noticed the decided dearth of in-store samples available to try out while strolling through the aisles.

It may feel like the summer just arrived, but as we hurdle through August, the holidays are closer than they appear. With Halloween just two months away, parents and children across the country know that the celebration marked by candy, costumes, and pumpkins won’t be the same as usual. In fact, 58% of moms in a recent She Speaks survey indicated that their family’s Halloween plans will look different, and that number seems certain to rise.

As the calendar flips into August, the typical excitement that accompanies back-to-school season has given way to widespread uncertainty. Parents are grappling with concerns about the quality of their children’s education, their social development, and the health of family members. Meanwhile, schools are deliberating whether to continue education in-person, online, or some combination of the two.

While the summer of 2020 bears little resemblance to previous ones here in America, one thing hasn’t changed: demand for ice cream. In fact, according to Nielsen, U.S. retail sales of ice cream were up 26% YoY for the 16-period week that ended 6/20.

Online grocery shopping has gained steam in recent years with the likes of Amazon, Instacart, Walmart, and others offering up their services. However, since the beginning of the pandemic, many shoppers who had previously eschewed online grocery shopping have changed their tune. Below, we take a look at shopper habits with regard to online groceries and see which brands have gained the most ground.

As we reach mid-July, summer is in full swing across the United States. However, despite the warm weather, the pandemic continues to complicate the slow return to normalcy. Travel, in particular, has been inordinately impacted by the current landscape, and it’s clear that the industry will continue to face these challenges for the foreseeable future.

When it comes to big-box discount stores, Walmart remains on top of the food chain. However, Target has carved out its own slice of the market with its creative branding and unique array of products. For brands that are sold at both Walmart and Target, it’s imperative to understand each retailer’s core consumers in order to win them over. Below, we take a look at the nuances that make them different.

According to research from Silicon Valley Bank, short-term expectations for wine industry growth were tempered prior to the pandemic. An oversupply coupled with diminishing demand is expected to lead to a discounting of wines and grapes alike. Though that's negative news for sellers, at face value, the availability of great wines at great prices could create opportunity when it comes to the historically thrifty Millennial demographic. However, to win over these consumers, wine producers will need to better understand their mindsets and engage with them accordingly. Our research uncovered the Experience Enhancer mindset as a prime opportunity for growth. Below, we explore this consumer to better understand their lifestyle and how wine brands can most effectively engage them.

As states across the country continue to loosen restrictions stemming from the pandemic, consumers are grappling with how they feel about returning to restaurants – especially when it comes to indoor dining. According to a study from Datassential, 42% of Americans feel truly comfortable and safe dining in at a restaurant. While that accounts for a significant portion of the population, there’s still plenty of ground to make up relative to options like curbside pickup (80%), drive-thru (80%), and delivery (75%).

Though many Americans have declared war on sugar in recent years in an attempt to adopt a healthier lifestyle, that doesn’t mean all sugary items have suffered. According to Nielsen sales data, candy and chocolates grew 2.5% and 2.8% in 2019, respectively. While the growth itself is modest, it goes to show that candy’s place in consumer routines remains secure.