Category: Research

Early data from RetailNext reveals a notable shift in consumer behavior this Black Friday. In-store traffic across the United States declined by 3.6% compared to the previous year. This aggregate reduction, reported by RetailNext—a leading authority in retail intelligence and traffic analytics trusted by over 560 global retailers—signifies more…

The 2025 Pre-Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) period has again demonstrated the holiday shopping season’s dynamic and hyper-growth nature. Early data from Stord’s live 2025 Black Friday Cyber Monday tracker, spanning from Sunday, November 23rd, through Wednesday, November 26th, reveals significant year-over-year increases in order volumes, Gross Merchandise…

The annual Cyber Week sales period continues to be a critical benchmark for overall digital commerce performance, revealing essential shifts in consumer behavior and technological adoption. Pre-Black Friday findings from Salesforce, based on billions of consumer interactions across its Commerce, Marketing, and Service platforms, underscore significant digital sales growth…

The consumer’s voice has never been more accessible, and technological advancements, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI), are accelerating data analysis. Despite these capabilities, many organizations remain hampered by fragmented, reactive approaches to consumer insights. This fragmentation creates significant gaps between understanding consumer needs and executing decisive business actions.

Online consumer payments are undergoing a significant transformation. What was once viewed as a niche payment option, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL), has rapidly evolved into a core financial tool for millions of Americans. Recent research fro Digital Silk highlights that, particularly from high-volume shopping events like Cyber Monday,…

New consumer survey data from Five9, “Inflation, Deals, and Divide: What’s Driving 2025 Holiday Shopping,” indicates that nearly 20% of consumers have already commenced holiday shopping, with another 31% planning to start well before Black Friday.

While consumers generally prefer tailored experiences, they also express significant concerns regarding invasiveness. The MX8 Labs report, “Getting Personal: What Consumers Really Think About Ad Relevance and Targeting”, provides critical insights into navigating this delicate balance, highlighting a clear imperative for data-driven, ethical, and contextually aware advertising strategies.

The “Signals From The Stage” report from the 2025 ANA Masters of Marketing Conference provides a critical roadmap for senior marketing and CX leaders. As 2026 approaches, the path to sustained brand growth requires a balanced approach: prioritizing authentic, real-world engagement, responsibly integrating AI into discovery and purchase, and…

The 2025 Mystery Shopping Report by Stord reveals a consistent imbalance across U.S. e-commerce brands: while investments in digital storefronts and customer acquisition are substantial, operational foundations in fulfillment and post-purchase experiences have not kept pace with these rising consumer expectations.

Cyber Week 2025 represents a pivotal moment for digital commerce, with AI agents influencing an unprecedented $73 billion in sales. For senior marketing and CX leaders, this data underscores a clear imperative: AI is no longer an optional enhancement but a strategic necessity for driving revenue and enhancing customer…