- by Owen Stuart
- August 7 2019
- athletic footwear
- China
- consumer goods
- Consumer Products
- Trade
Shoe Production Set for Cross-Border Trek as China’s Labor Costs Rise
The US footwear market is heavily dependent on Chinese sourcing; as of 2018, the country accounted for 53% of all footwear imports. While this makes China the largest provider of footwear to the US, China’s market share has been falling from a 2010 peak of 76%.
- by Chris Dyer
- August 7 2019
- automotive
- consumer goods
- environment
Embracing Electric Cars Around the Globe
As climate change grips the globe and car sales in dominant markets begin to slump, numerous countries are embracing the novelty of all-electric personal vehicles – some more so than others. With purchase assistance coming in the form of government-subsidized credits, will electric vehicles overtake traditional internal-combustion-engine-driven vehicles?
- by Owen Stuart
- November 29 2018
- consumer goods
Turning the Tables on the Furniture Industry
Long dominated by a single business model, the furniture market is getting shaken up by challengers using a variety of strategies to attract new customers. Three trends are disrupting the furniture industry, giving startups a chance to break into the market. However, established furniture manufacturers aren’t just couch potatoes – they’ve got some strategies of their own to compete in the rapidly changing retail space.
- by Leon Mengri
- September 18 2018
- consumer goods
Toaster Ovens: The Small Kitchen Appliance That Could
Consumers showed an increasing preference for toaster ovens – not to be confused with toasters – over the 2007-2017 period due to the convenience they provide in meal preparation. The affordability of these products also supports sales, as does the wide variety of top rated products with useful features.
- by Chris Dyer
- August 15 2018
- consumer goods
- online retail
Mattress Retailers Are Losing Sleep
Online sales of mattresses are a growing market, particularly for “bed-in-a-box” companies. Intensifying competition from formless digital stores is keeping brick-and-mortar players up at night, one might say.
- by Chris Dyer
- July 16 2018
- consumer goods
The Spy Who Can’t Clean Shag Carpet
With the fast-paced lifestyle of many Americans today – particularly millennials – it comes as no surprise that more and more people are interested in robotic vacuum cleaners, despite them being generally less powerful and more expensive than their traditional counterparts. As more companies introduce their own products, consumers are finding it easier to clean up things like pet hair on hard floors and maintain cleaner homes. Others are growing worried about some of the advertised features, as well as some unadvertised ones.
- by Owen Stuart
- June 18 2018
- consumer goods
- consumer spending
- consumer trends
The Top Jewelry Trends Impacting the Market
Three of the top trends impacting the jewelry and watch market
- by Luke Hickman
- May 14 2018
- consumer goods
- direct-to-consumer
- internet
- retail
Leather & Fur Suppliers Adapt to New Retail Environment
In recent years, brick-and-mortar retailers have struggled to cope with shifts in consumer behaviors. Every year, internet shopping plays a bigger role in the overall retail scene. Many suppliers of consumer products, including leather, fur, and allied products, have been affected by the distress of this traditional retail channel and increasingly are seeking out new channels so as to avoid suffering the same fate.
- by Chris Dyer
- February 6 2018
- consumer goods
- Consumer Products
Two of the Hottest Trends to Watch in Household Cooking Appliances
US demand for household cooking appliances is forecast to total $9.6 billion in 2021. As more and more homes are being built or remodeled, appliance manufacturers have introduced a wide range of new models designed to entice consumers to replace working appliances early or spring for a higher-end model.
- by Chris Dyer
- January 17 2018
- consumer goods
- Consumer Products
Two of the Coolest Trends to Watch in Household Refrigerators & Freezers
US demand for household refrigerators and freezers in the US is forecast to total $10.4 billion in 2021. As more homes are built and kitchens are remodeled, suppliers are finding creative ways to become the first choice in the mind of every customer.