When Alcohol Change UK created the Dry January campaign in 2013 to raise money for alcohol abuse and treatment, it likely had no idea of what was to come. Now a global phenomenon, Dry January invites consumers from across the globe to abstain from alcohol for the duration of the month for the sake of their health and their wallets.

People love novelty, which is one reason why marketing tactics like pop-up shops and mobile tours had been so successful prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. With consumers stuck indoors and craving connection, virtual events provide attendees with an opportunity to "leave" their houses, so to speak.

Despite the challenging financial circumstances of this year, the National Retail Federation predicts that holiday sales during November and December will increase anywhere between 3.6-5.2% over 2019. Of course, how that money is spent will change; they also expect online and other non-store sales to grow by 20-30% YoY. Below, we take a look at consumer expenditures, where they’re shopping, and what they’re spending on.

A pre-pandemic article from Ad Age suggested that experiential marketing may have reached its peak, citing Instagram-worthy installations such as the Color Factory and the Museum of Ice Cream in support of the premise. Where they erred, though, was in categorizing them as examples of experiential marketing at all. Instead, they are theme parks designed to earn social media engagement.

As consumers have been relegated to their homes more often than ever in 2020, gaming has seen its popularity continue to rise. In fact, 40% of American respondents to a YouGov survey said they are playing more games in 2020, whether it be on PC, console, or mobile device. On top of the time spent at home, the year has also brought the long-anticipated releases of Playstation Series 5 and Xbox Series X/S — with demand so high that each has faced out-of-stock issues.

For millions of American consumers, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought financial concerns to the forefront. At the end of 2019, about 10% of consumers in the United States expected their personal finances to get worse in the following six months. By June — three months after COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, that number grew to 21%. Even now, an additional 27% of consumers say their financial situation is tight or struggling.

Amid a year defined by social distancing and the pandemic that brought it, millions of Americans are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving, a holiday defined by coming together with loved ones to show thanks. However, with cases on the rise across the nation, the CDC has recommended that people avoid traveling for the holiday — casting doubt on plans that were already in place. Below, we take a look at what consumers plan to do for a Thanksgiving unlike any other, where they’ll travel, and how they’ll be taking precautions along the way.

As e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retailers adapt to a new reality characterized by remote work and social distancing, they must build trust by creating a unique and authentic brand experience across all touchpoints. Fortunately, the techniques used by many leading brands can serve as a blueprint for effectively engaging people — no matter where they are.

As the calendar flips to November, the holidays are quickly approaching. And, while this year has been anything but ordinary, the fact of the matter is that almost nine in ten consumers will still be celebrating in spite of the pandemic. As brands and retailers seek to win over those consumers as they shop for gifts, it’s important to understand how their behavior will differ from past years. Below, we take a look at seven things you need to know regarding shopper habits for this holiday season.

Consumers across all demographics are showing support for environmentalism, and businesses across the spectrum are taking notice. However, you can't just say that you're environmentally responsible. You have to adopt policies and practices in every aspect of your business. In an article on the Trade Show News Network, Inspira's Jeff Snyder shares his thoughts on how you can promote and practice sustainability within a digital environment.