Insight ReportUS Survey Update: Product Returns amid the Pandemic (Select Findings) Coresight Research November 23, 2020 Reasons to ReadThis report provides select findings from Coresight Research’s November 10 survey of US consumers on their behaviors and expectations, with a focus on implications for retailers. This week, we discuss consumer attitudes toward product returns amid the pandemic and for the 2020 holiday season. This report is available for free and can be accessed by registering for a free account. We highlight selected findings from our weekly survey across three key topics: Consumer preferences for product returns—whether in-store or online—amid the pandemic Consumer expectations for post-holiday returns The sustained penetration of e-commerce Our full report is available to premium subscribers and includes further findings on the following: What activities respondents have done in the past two weeks and what they expect to do in the next two weeks Whether respondents are currently avoiding public areas or travel—and which types of places or travel they are avoiding Whether respondents are buying more or less of any retail categories as a result of Covid-19 and, if so, which types of products Whether US shoppers are making more purchases online during the coronavirus pandemic and, if so, which categories Our latest research provides an update to our previous reports, which were based on surveys undertaken on November 10, November 3, October 27, October 20, October 13, October 6, September 29, September 22, September 15, September 9, September 2, August 26, August 19, August 12, August 5, July 29, July 22, July 15, July 8, July 1, June 24, June 17, June 10, June 3, May 27, May 20, May 13, May 6, April 29, April 22, April 15, April 8, April 1, March 25 and March 17–18. In addition to our US consumer surveys, Coresight Research is publishing ongoing coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, which can be accessed here. Please Login to read the full report. Not a member? To access this content for free, register for a free account. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Breathing Space for US Retailers and Brands: US Tariffs Paused for 90 Days But Hiked Further for ChinaHigh-Income Consumers’ Financial Sentiment Reaches New Peak; Facebook Slumps in Social Commerce: US Consumer Survey InsightsUS Department Stores—Real Estate Insights: The Strategic Real Estate Reset from Flagships to FootprintThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 10: Inflation, Tariffs and Consumer Sentiment
Deep DiveUS Survey Update: Product Returns amid the Pandemic (Full Report) Coresight Research November 23, 2020 Reasons to ReadCoresight Research’s November 17 survey provides a detailed update on US consumers’ behaviors, concerns and expectations amid the coronavirus crisis, with a focus on the implications for US retail. This week, we focus on consumer attitudes toward product returns. Our findings cover the following: Whether respondents had returned any unwanted purchases in the past 12 months—and if so, in which product categories Consumer preferences for product returns—whether in-store or online—amid the pandemic Consumer expectations for post-holiday returns We also discuss a number of survey findings on consumers’ current and expected behaviors, as well as trended data on spending/shopping: What activities respondents have done in the past two weeks and what they expect to do in the next two weeks Whether respondents are currently avoiding public areas or travel—and which types of places or travel they are avoiding Whether respondents are buying more or less of any retail categories as a result of Covid-19 and, if so, which types of products Whether US shoppers are making more purchases online during the coronavirus pandemic and, if so, which categories The findings provide an update to our previous reports, which were based on surveys undertaken on November 10, November 3, October 27, October 20, October 13, October 6, September 29, September 22, September 15, September 9, September 2, August 26, August 19, August 12, August 5, July 29, July 22, July 15, July 8, July 1, June 24, June 17, June 10, June 3, May 27, May 20, May 13, May 6, April 29, April 22, April 15, April 8, April 1, March 25 and March 17–18. If you do not have a premium subscription, you can access select findings in a complimentary abridged report. Click here to view additional coverage of the impact of Covid-19 on retail. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Analyst Corner: Controversy Persists Around Price Gouging with Electronic Shelf Labels, with John HarmonAnalyst Corner: Three Themes Transforming US Apparel and Footwear Retail in 2025, with Anand KumarAnalyst Corner: Five CPG Sector Insights from This Quarter’s Earnings, with Madhav PitaliyaNRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show: Day One—Agentic AI in Focus for Nvidia; Retail Revolution for Amazon and Macy’s
Analyst CornerWeinswig’s Weekly: Holiday 2020—Let the Shopping Begin! (Actually, It Already Has) Coresight Research November 22, 2020 Reasons to ReadIn each report in the Weinswig’s Weekly series, Coresight Research CEO and Founder Deborah Weinswig reflects on a topical theme in retail. This week’s note “From the Desk of Deborah Weinswig” discusses retailer and consumer creativity for the holiday shopping season. Each report also includes recent retail and technology headlines from Asia, Europe and the US. This report is available for free and can be accessed by registering for a free account. Please Login to read the full report. Not a member? To access this content for free, register for a free account. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:US Store Tracker Extra, July 2025: 127 Million Square Feet of Retail Space To Close, Outpacing Openings by 60%Analyst Corner: The Labubu Craze—Revealing How Gens Z and Alpha Are Redefining Retail, with Charlie PoonConsumer Sentiment Shows Signs of Improvement Amid Temporary Tariff Reduction: China Consumer Survey InsightsWeekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 20: Asda Opens New Format; Skims Plans to Step into the UK in 2026
Store TrackerWeekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2020, Week 47: Ascena To Close All Justice Stores and Francesca’s To Close Over 100 Stores Coresight Research November 20, 2020 Reasons to ReadOur Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker reports on store closures, openings and bankruptcies. We cover: A week-by-week comparison of store openings and closures in the US and UK year to date in 2020 What is happening in retail in the US and UK this week Year-to-date 2020 major US and UK store openings and closures 2020 major US retail bankruptcies New non-store-closure news This week, there are highlights from Ascena Retail Group, Francesca’s and Herman Miller in the US and Poundland and WHSmith in the UK. We also discuss quarterly store opening and closure settlements following the release of quarterly company filings this week. Click here to view our full collection of Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Trackers. Complementing our weekly Tracker report, the Coresight Research Retail Store Databank offers our premium subscribers access to openings and closures data from 2012 to 2020 year to date, filterable by sector and year. Click here to view. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Consumer Optimism Softens Ahead of Golden Week: China Consumer Survey InsightsChina’s 6.18 Shopping Festival 2025: Promotion Rules Simplified, Extended Festival Duration and Governmental StrategiesResilience Now: Turn Tariff Uncertainty into Opportunity Using AIInnovator Profile: Buncha—Efficient Neighborhood Grocery Delivery Via Consolidated Routes
Insight ReportSingles’ Day 2020: Analyzing New Retail Strategies Coresight Research November 20, 2020 Reasons to ReadStarted as an online-only shopping festival, Singles’ Day has been shifting toward an omnichannel presence, leveraging Alibaba’s concept of “New Retail” to extend the event to offline retail. In this report, we discuss three key New Retail strategies that brands and Alibaba’s Tmall platform launched for this year’s Double 11: Offline experiential events—such as pop-up shops, with examples from Midea and Panasonic 3D virtual showrooms—including the Tmall 3D Mall for home-furnishing brands Online coupons Read our New Retail Briefing series to keep up to date with recent developments in New Retail in China and Beyond. Click here to read more about Singles’ Day 2020, as well as further Coresight Research coverage of past Singles’ Day events. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Agentic Commerce: How Retailers Can Make Their Products Discoverable and Shoppable for 800 Million ChatGPT UsersUS Black Friday 2025: Early Read—Early-Morning Footfall Points to a Selective Return of the Black Friday Store EnergyThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 4: US Store Openings and Closures—2024 ReviewInnovator Profile: Gain—Autonomous AI Employees for Smarter, Faster Procurement
Three Things You Need To Know: US Home and Home-Improvement Retail—Post-Crisis Outlook—Fall 2020 Update Coresight Research November 19, 2020 We present Three Things You Need To Know on US Home and Home-Improvement Retail: Post-Crisis Outlook—Fall 2020 Update. Find the full report here. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Financial Sentiment At Highest Level Year to Date: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 32, 2025—InfographicWhat Can Retailers Learn from Shein and Temu?: Insights Presented at RLC Global Forum 2025Canada Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025: Best Buy, Dollarama and Loblaw Companies Lead Openings at the Start of the YearJune 2025 US Retail Sales Outlook: Projecting Solid Growth as Consumer Sentiment Continues to Recover
Insight ReportKey Festivals and Holidays for Promotional Campaigns in India in 2021: Calendar Coresight Research November 19, 2020 Reasons to ReadThe retail calendar in India sees a number of festivals and holidays that retailers and brands can tap with marketing and promotional campaigns. Use our 2021 calendar to plan your marketing and sales strategies for the India market. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Analyst Corner—DeepSeek Opens the Door for AI Democratization: The AI Opportunity, with Charlie PoonEarnings Insights 1Q25, Week 5: BJ’s Wholesale Club and Home Depot Report Sales Growth; Target Reports Sales Decline—InfographicEconomic Sentiment Improves: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 50, 2025—Data GraphicConsumer Confidence Rebounds in October: China Consumer Survey Insights
Deep DiveHow Retailers Can Use Prescriptive Analytics/AI To Improve Customer Satisfaction Coresight Research November 19, 2020 Reasons to ReadRetailers are missing out on opportunities to improve customer satisfaction, and thus revenue, that are easily within reach. Customer satisfaction benefits current revenues as well as future revenues, driving return visits plus visits based on reviews and opinions shared among consumers directly and via social media. This report explores how the use of analytics and AI (artificial intelligence) can positively impact retailers in the following ways: Avoid out-of-stocks, pricing inconsistencies and quality issues, which are among the top customer reasons for leaving a store without making a purchase Manage multiple fulfillment options—such as curbside pickup, in-store purchases and home deliveries—which all affect customer satisfaction Improve operational efficacy in many areas, which correlates directly to consumer satisfaction Enhance revenues, reduce costs, improve customer loyalty and drive greater efficiency This report details how retailers can benefit from prescriptive-analytics platforms, which employ AI/machine learning plus other analytical methods, to improve customer satisfaction while enhancing revenues and margins. This free report is sponsored by Zebra Technologies. Non-subscribers can access the report by completing the form on this page. Click here to read more about how prescriptive analytics can address current retail challenges. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:US Store Tracker Extra, March 2025: US Total Closed Retail Space Exceeds 100 Million Square FeetSeptember 2025 US Retail Sales Outlook: Retail Outlook Score Plummets; Holiday-Quarter Growth Projection ModeratesAldi vs. Lidl US Store Openings: Mapping Retail Real Estate Changes with the Store Intelligence Platform—Data GraphicJune 2025 US Retail Sales: Sales Expansion Remains Resilient as Most Sectors Post Positive Growth
Insight ReportSingles’ Day 2020: Analyzing New Entrants Coresight Research November 19, 2020 Reasons to ReadAs part of our coverage of Singles’ Day 2020, we explore new entrants on Alibaba’s Tmall platform and their approach to leveraging the shopping festival for China market entry or expansion. This report covers key strategies adopted by new entrants across different sectors, across the following topics: How beauty entrants Dior Beauty and Too Faced Cosmetics leveraged social media for their first Singles’ Day Launches of exclusive products by luxury brands, including Balenciaga and Piaget How new Tmall entrants in the home-furnishing sector branched out to host 3D online showrooms through their Tmall stores, such as IKEA The focus on brand stories among apparel retailers launching on Tmall, including Coppolella and Totême Exciting merchandise offers from cultural and entertainment companies looking to capitalize on Singles’ Day Debuts on Tmall Global for Pitch Fest winners, such as Uncle Bud’s We also present insights into learnings from Singles’ Day 2020 for future shopping festivals and opportunities in online retail in China. Click here for all Coresight Research coverage of Singles’ Day 2020 and past Singles’ Day events. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Tariffs Prompt Pull-Forward Purchases: What Are Consumers Buying Early?—Data GraphicOnline Shopping in Focus—Amazon Dominates E-Commerce Competition: US Consumer Survey InsightsAmazon Bids to Acquire TikTok—What It Means for US E-CommerceShoptalk Fall 2025 Day One: Building Resilience Through Agility, AI and Authentic Connections to Thrive in Volatile Times
Insight ReportSingles’ Day 2020: Alibaba and JD.com Record $115 Billion in Sales Coresight Research November 19, 2020 Reasons to ReadAs the world’s largest online global shopping festival, Singles’ Day presents an exciting sales opportunity for brands and retailers. We discuss the Singles’ Day sales performance of China’s leading e-commerce players. This report covers the following: Comparison of sales performance for Alibaba and JD.com—including market share and year-over-year change in GMV The impact of changes to the length of the shopping festival on sales data The highest-performing brand on Alibaba’s Tmall—including the dominance of international brands in top 10 rankings across multiple categories, such as Apple, Casio and NIKE Consumer shopping patterns—including high demand in beauty and electronics categories Key themes from this year’s festival, such as delivery capacity and new product launches We also present the implications for brands and retailers, with learnings that can be applied to the China market and shopping festivals in particular, as well as to year-round sales strategies. Click here to read more about Singles’ Day 2020, as well as further Coresight Research coverage of past Singles’ Day events. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Weekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 24: Casey’s To Open 80 Stores; Torrid To Close 180 StoresTariff Anxiety Hits the Supermarket: US Consumers Turn Cautious When Shopping for GroceriesThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 33: US Consumers’ Tariff PerceptionsEarnings Insights 2Q25: Wrap-Up—Most Companies See Sales Improvement Despite Tariff Concerns
Deep DiveSingles’ Day 2020: Analyzing Merchants’ Marketing Campaigns Coresight Research November 18, 2020 Reasons to ReadAs part of our coverage of Singles’ Day 2020, we review the marketing campaigns that various brands and retailers launched on Alibaba’s Tmall platform to encourage consumer spending during the shopping festival. This report covers three key themes across promotional strategies: Financial incentives—including specific strategy examples and use cases from Cartier, Elizabeth Arden and Microsoft Building loyal brand communities through chat groups and store membership—as employed by brands such as New Balance and Shiseido Livestream/influencer marketing—including statistics on livestreaming views and products promoted, with examples from beauty brands Estée Lauder and Whoo We also present insights into learnings from Singles’ Day 2020 for future shopping festivals and opportunities in online retail in China. Click here for all Coresight Research coverage of Singles’ Day 2020 and past Singles’ Day events. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:What Can Retailers Learn from Shein and Temu?: Insights Presented at RLC Global Forum 2025Responses to Inflation—Trading Down in Food and Nonfood Remains a Critical Shopping Strategy: US Consumer Survey InsightsGroceryshop 2025 Day Three: Driving Grocery’s Future with AI, New Revenue Models and Unified VisionCanada Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025: Store Openings Edge Past Closures as Costco, Sephora and Uniqlo Expand
Holiday Bites: US Consumers’ Expectations for Online-Order Fulfillment in the Holiday Quarter Coresight Research November 18, 2020 Reasons to ReadOur Holiday Bites series features bitesize information on the shape and scale of consumer demand, retail sales and category performance in the 2020 holiday season. Click here to see more Holiday Bites as well as our in-depth research reports on US holiday retail. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Innovator Profile: Big Sur AI—Boosting Brands’ Profitability with Commerce-First AI AgentsRetail 2025: 10 Trends in Retail TechnologyAnalyst Corner: Controversy Persists Around Price Gouging with Electronic Shelf Labels, with John HarmonAnalyst Corner: How Is AI Shaping MarTech?—Transforming Your Strategy via Agentic AI, with Manik Bhatia
Event CoverageSingles’ Day 2020: Highlights from Alibaba’s Observing China Forum Coresight Research November 18, 2020 Reasons to ReadFollowing Singles’ Day on November 11, the Coresight Research team attended Alibaba’s Observing China Forum in Shanghai on November 16, 2020. We present highlights from the event, which focused on changing consumer demand in China against the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic. This report covers the following key topics: The importance of digital transformation in retail—including the adoption of livestreaming How selected brands innovated their product offerings to increase their appeal to younger consumers—namely, SaturnBird and Genki Forest We also summarize Alibaba’s forward view of next year’s 11 Global Shopping Festival. Click here to read more about Singles’ Day 2020, as well as further Coresight Research coverage of past Singles’ Day events. Please Login to read the full report. Not a member? To access this content for free, register for a free account. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Sustained Stimulus Measures Give Rise to Consumer Optimism: China Consumer Survey InsightsUS CPG Sales Tracker: CPG E-Commerce Growth Eases from Prime Day Peak; General Merchandise Decline Confirms Pull-Forward EffectInnovator Profile: Scrollmark—Automating Social Engagement and Conversions Through Community-Led WorkflowsThe New Coresight 100: Leading the Retail Charge in 2025
Insight ReportThe 12 Weeks of Holidays: #8—Outlook for the US Beauty Sector Coresight Research November 18, 2020 Reasons to ReadThis report is part of The 12 Weeks of Holidays series, in which we present key data, trends and observations as we count down to the peak holiday season. Beauty brands and retailers have had to adapt to changes in how and what consumers are shopping due to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, so are approaching the holiday season differently this year. We provide an outlook for the sector, including Coresight Research estimates for consumer spending during the holiday period. This report also covers the following key content: Livestreaming e-commerce in beauty The use of online technologies to connect with consumers and enhance the gifting experience Five beauty trends this holiday—across product categories including skin care, CBD and fragrance E-commerce fulfillment—including BOPIS and curbside pickup We discuss highlights from major beauty brands and retailers, including Estée Lauder, Sephora and Ulta Beauty. Click here to read the previous report in the 12 Weeks of Holidays series, which explores the holiday outlook for the US apparel and footwear sector. Click here to read all Coresight Research coverage of US holiday retail. Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Analyst Corner: Is Shein’s Fashion Model a Template for Environmental Sustainability? with John MercerWeekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 40: Claire’s UK Bought Out of BankruptcySycamore Partners To Acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance—Exploring the Reasons for and Implications of the $23.7 Billion DealJuly 2025 US Retail Sales Outlook: Projecting 3+% Growth To Continue Amid Mixed Economic Signals
Insight ReportOctober 2020 US Retail Sales: Further Double-Digit Year-over-Year Growth Coresight Research November 17, 2020 Reasons to ReadCoresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of Monthly Reports. Complementing our monthly reports, the Coresight Research US Retail Sales Databank brings together retail sales data to help you understand the scale and trajectory of US retail. Using data from the US Census Bureau, we look at which retail sectors saw sales surge and which did not do well in October 2020. This report covers the following: US total retail sales excluding gasoline and automobiles—year-over-year change US total retail sales including gasoline and automobiles—year-over-year change Retail sales growth by sector Already a subscriber? Log in You are currently viewing a preview of this report. Please select an access option to view the full report. Hide Options - Show Options + Get unlimited access to all our research with one of our subscription plans. View Subscription Plans or Contact us to purchase this report. Contact us ✕ This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Weekly US and UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 6: Bargain Hunt and Liberated Brands To Close About 200 StoresHigher-Income Sentiment Improves; Holiday Shopping Is Firmly Under Way: US Consumer Survey InsightsOnline Shopping in Focus—Amazon Dominates E-Commerce Competition: US Consumer Survey InsightsTariff Anxiety Hits the Supermarket: US Consumers Turn Cautious When Shopping for Groceries
