Deep DiveCoronavirus Insights: US Survey Update—Shoppers Cut Back Further, with Apparel Bearing the Brunt (Full Report) Coresight Research April 3, 2020 Reasons to ReadCoresight Research’s latest survey on the coronavirus crisis provides a detailed update on US consumers’ behaviors, concerns and expectations. Among the subjects we surveyed consumers on are: How concerned they are about the coronavirus outbreak, what they are worried about, and how long they think the severe impacts of the outbreak will last. Whether they are buying more or less of any retail categories as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and, if so, which types of products. Whether they are making more purchases online during the coronavirus outbreak and, if so, which categories. Their concerns about job and income prospects. Whether they are avoiding public spaces or travel and the types of places there are avoiding. Whether they expect to retain changed behaviors even after the COVID-19 outbreak ends and, if so, which. The research for this report was undertaken on April 1, and the findings provide an update to our previous report, which was based on surveys undertaken on March 25 and March 17–18. We provide week-over-week comparisons for most metrics. If you do not have a premium subscription, you can access select findings in a complimentary abridged report. In addition to this survey, click here to view additional coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. 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 Sentiment—The Big Surprise in a Week of Shocks; Plus, Apparel Shopping in Focus: US Consumer Survey InsightsThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week UK Store Openings and Closures—2024 Review and 2025 OutlookAnalyst Corner—US Convenience Store Retailing: Battling Headwinds and Seeking New Opportunities, with Sujeet NaikSycamore Partners To Acquire Walgreens Boots Alliance—Exploring the Reasons for and Implications of the $23.7 Billion Deal
Deep Dive4Q19 US Retail Inventory Tracker: Higher Inventory Turnover Due to Solid Holiday Sales and Disciplined Approaches Coresight Research April 2, 2020 Reasons to ReadIn our quarterly US Retail Inventory Tracker reports, we analyze inventory trends among those US retailers listed in the Coresight 100. We look at the inventory levels of various retailers in 4Q19 and assess why levels may have changed from the year-ago period, across the following sectors: Apparel specialty retail—including Ascena Retail and Burlington Stores Department stores—including JCPenney, Kohl’s and Macy’s Food, drug and mass retail—including Target and Walmart Home and home-improvement retail—including Home Depot and Lowe’s Luxury retail—including Ralph Lauren and Tapestry Beauty retail—Ulta Beauty While we note some positive trends in this report, we make the obvious caution that the quarter under review will be no guide to 2020 due to the impacts of the global coronavirus pandemic. 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:Holiday 2025: Government Shutdown-Related Reduction in SNAP, Other Payments and Salaries Could Meaningfully Impact US Holiday SpendingAnalyst Corner: How Fast Will Agentic Commerce Scale? Three Gauges to Watch, with Charlie PoonThe State of In-Store Retailing 2025: The Dawn of New-Age Stores, Powered by TechnologyLower-Income Sentiment Continues to Weaken; Plus, Off-Price and Dollar Stores in Focus: US Consumer Survey Insights
Insight ReportCoronavirus Insights: China Embraces Signs of Recovery Coresight Research April 2, 2020 Reasons to ReadSince the coronavirus broke out in Wuhan in January, China has implemented unprecedented measures to control the spread of the virus. The nationwide lockdown looks to have been a success—we discuss signs that indicate the country is now on the road to recovery: Resuming business operations and employees returning to work The reopening of stores in mainland China, following temporary closures by many multinational companies, including NIKE and Starbucks The release of pent-up demand in shopping malls We consider the implications of the pandemic and recovery for brands, as well as what the “new normal” might look like for China’s residents and businesses as the nation looks to move on from the coronavirus. Click here to view Coresight Research’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. 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:RetailTech: Three Technologies Landlords Can Use to Take Malls to the Next LevelWeekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 32: Claire’s Files for Bankruptcy—Potentially 1,137 Stores To CloseCanada Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025: Best Buy, Dollarama and Loblaw Companies Lead Openings at the Start of the YearMixed Signals—Economic Optimism Continues But Consumers Feel the Strain on Personal Finances: China Consumer Survey Insights
Deep DivePinduoduo: What’s Driving Growth for China’s Group-Buying Platform Coresight Research April 1, 2020 Reasons to ReadPinduoduo launched in 2015 and is now the fastest-growing e-commerce platform in China. Pinduoduo’s GMV surged sixfold from 2017 to 2019, dramatically faster than (still robust) 52% growth on Alibaba’s Tmall and Taobao platforms and JD.com’s 61% growth during the same time period. This report looks at how Pinduoduo has moved so quickly to take on the established market leaders, including: Strategies to tap into faster growth in China’s lower-tier cities. How the upstart has overtaken Alibaba and JD.com in GMV growth. How Pinduoduo uses its partnership with WeChat. Tactics to leverage B2C and gamification to attract and engage consumers. 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:Head-to-Head in Global Luxury Retailing: Kering vs. LVMHShoptalk Spring 2025 Wrap-Up: Customer-Centricity for a New Golden Age of RetailMusic Festivals: A Key Opportunity for Retail Brand EngagementCanada Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025: Store Openings Edge Past Closures as Costco, Sephora and Uniqlo Expand
Insight Report2020 Tax Tracker, Week 8: Average Refund Size Increases Slightly Over Last Year Coresight Research April 1, 2020 Reasons to ReadEach year, the IRS reports tax return filings and refunds on a weekly basis, starting at the end of January until the April 15 deadline. This year, the US Department of the Treasury (of which the IRS is a part) announced the deadline to file (and more importantly, to pay) has been extended to July 15, but has closed assistance centers and suspended in-person tax assistance meetings. In this report, we look at what happened in the eighth week of the 2020 tax filing season, including: How the extended deadline has affected filings and refunds so far. The impact of the coronavirus shutdown on IRS operations and online traffic to its site. The current statusof returns filed, processed and refunds issued. 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:Resilience Now: Turn Tariff Uncertainty into Opportunity Using AIPersonal Financial Sentiment Improves: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 19, 2025—InfographicThe Impacts of US Tariffs: Assessing Companies’ International Sourcing Exposure by CountryLeveraging Digital Services, AI and Quick Commerce for Competitive Advantage: Global Learnings for US Retail and E-Commerce
Insight ReportAR and VR Technologies in Retail: New Applications in a Coronavirus World Coresight Research April 1, 2020 Reasons to ReadThe global coronavirus outbreak is causing supply chain disruptions and widespread home quarantines, which have implications for the augmented and virtual reality technologies market. We consider the impacts of the pandemic on supply and demand, as well as the potential boost it may provide in commercial adoption. We discuss the growth of the global AR and VR market and expected spending in 2020. In addition to employee training and customer engagement, we offer examples of further applications of AR and VR technologies in retail, including the following: AR mobile gaming, which drives traffic in physical stores In-app purchasing functionality VR stores and showrooms in the fashion sector VR headsets for consumers Read more in our deep dive into the use of reality technologies in the home sector: Can AR and VR Be Game Changers in Furniture 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:Holiday 2025: Black Friday Preview—Value, AI and Extended Promotions To Drive Sales This YearKohl’s CEO Removal—Why It Happened and What It Means for US Department StoresWeekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 44: Carter’s To Close 150 StoresWeekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 39: Skims Continues To Expand Its Footprint
Three Things You Need To Know: Amazon India and Flipkart—Head to Head Coresight Research March 31, 2020 We present Three Things You Need To Know on Amazon India and Flipkart: Head to Head. Find the full report here. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Diwali’s Global Rise Is Reshaping the Retail Growth CycleWhat Can Retailers Learn from Shein and Temu?: Insights Presented at RLC Global Forum 2025Personal Financial Sentiment Improves Significantly: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 49, 2025—Data GraphicInnovator Profile: Gain—Autonomous AI Employees for Smarter, Faster Procurement
Deep DiveCoronavirus Insights: A Look Back To Look Ahead—The Great Recession of 2007–2009 and Today Coresight Research March 31, 2020 Reasons to ReadThis report looks back at the Great Recession of 2007–2009, to apply learnings from the sales performance of the US retail industry to the current coronavirus situation. We offer insights into US shopping behavior today and consider consumer confidence during the 2007–2009 recession. We discuss the impact of the Great Recession on US retail sales and its implications for how the retail industry will fare the coronavirus pandemic. We break down our analysis according to the following sectors: Department stores—including JCPenney, Kohl’s and Macy’s Clothing and accessories—including American Eagle Outfitters and Gap Inc Mass merchandising—including Costco, Target and Walmart Home furnishing and appliances—including Best Buy and Home Depot Click here to view Coresight Research’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. 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 UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 23: Aldi and Topshop To Open StoresRolling Metric Improves This Week: Weekly US Consumer Sentiment, Week 41, 2025—Data GraphicThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 9: Beauty Shopping in FocusInnovator Profile: Sotira—Managing Reverse Logistics and Offloading Surplus Inventory with AI
Deep DiveUS Social Commerce Survey: Where Social Media Users Shop and How Much They Spend Coresight Research March 31, 2020 Reasons to ReadThis is the third report of a four-part series that explores the use of social media by US shoppers. Based on data from a Coresight Research proprietary survey, we discuss where consumers shop, away from social media, as well as their monthly spending behaviors. Read more about the impact of social media on shopping behavior and US consumers’ use of Instagram in the shopping journey. 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:Retail 2025 Sector Outlooks: EbookConsumer Sentiment Unpacked—Higher-Income, Younger Consumers Are Most Optimistic: US Consumer Survey Insights ExtraRetail Trends and Shopper Traffic Update, Q4: Early Findings & Strategic OutlookAnalyst Corner: UK Retail Crime Soars—Visibly Reflected in Stores, with John Mercer
Question of the WeekHow Long Do US Consumers Expect the Coronavirus Crisis To Last? Coresight Research March 30, 2020 QUESTION OF THE WEEK: How Long Do US Consumers Expect the Coronavirus Crisis To Last? When we surveyed US consumers on March 25, the majority of respondents (almost 64%) said that they expect the severe impact of the coronavirus outbreak to last between one and four months. However, the total proportion that expects the crisis to last three months or more stood at 56% on March 25 versus 52% one week earlier. This document was generated for Other research you may be interested in:Enhance Shopping and Customize Care: Three Technologies Transforming the Drugstore and Pharmacy Retail LandscapeThree Data Points We’re Watching This Week, Week 13: Dollar Tree, Inc. To Sell Family DollarAnalyst Corner: What’s Happening in China’s Economy? Analyzing Retail and Consumer Metrics with Madhav PitaliyaFinancial Confidence Reaches Five-Month High; TJX Dominates Off-Price Retail; Dollar Tree Leads Dollar Stores: US Consumer Survey Insights
Insight ReportFebruary 2020 Monthly Consumer Update: US, UK and China Coresight Research March 30, 2020 Reasons to ReadCoronavirus was the overarching theme across all consumer spending numbers in this month’s report as the outbreak spread across the globe, disrupting consumer behavior (and hammering retail) as it went. This report looks at: How retail in China fared amid the outbreak, and what that may mean for the West. What drove a surge in US retail, including some odd sector changes. Shifts in the UK economy. Coresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics, selected US retailers’ same-store sales and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of Monthly Reports. 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:The State of In-Store Retailing 2025: The Dawn of New-Age Stores, Powered by TechnologyMixed Signals—Economic Optimism Continues But Consumers Feel the Strain on Personal Finances: China Consumer Survey InsightsUS CPG Sales Tracker: CPG E-Commerce Growth Eases from Prime Day Peak; General Merchandise Decline Confirms Pull-Forward EffectWeekly US Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 35: Netflix Heads to the Mall as Claire’s Shutters Nearly 300 Stores
Insight ReportEast-to-West Learnings: How Grocery Retailers in China Have Addressed Labor Shortages During the Coronavirus Crisis Coresight Research March 30, 2020 Reasons to ReadThe first report in our East-to-West Learnings series looks at the labor imbalance in China that has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We discuss how supermarket chains and grocery retailers are responding to the impact on their workforce by launching co-employment initiatives with restaurant chains, using examples from Alibaba’s Freshippo and JD.com’s 7Fresh brands. We consider how retailers in the US could learn from China’s new employment models as the coronavirus situation worsens in the West. Click here to view Coresight Research’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. 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:April 2025 US Retail Sales: Growth Rate Reaches New High for 2025 Despite Economic UncertaintyUS Store Tracker Extra, February 2025: Bankruptcies Push Total Closed Retail Space Toward 85 Million Square FeetAnalyst Corner: Five Key Insights from US Black Friday 2025 and What They Mean for the Rest of Holiday 2025, with Anand KumarConsumer Sentiment Unpacked—Higher-Income, Younger Consumers Are Most Optimistic: US Consumer Survey Insights Extra
Insight ReportFebruary 2020 UK Retail Sales: The Calm Before the Storm Coresight Research March 30, 2020 Reasons to ReadFebruary was soft for UK retail sales, but the month is unlikely to be indicative of current and future trends given the widespread shutdown of UK industry and a national lockdown in March. This report looks at: What drove UK retail sales growth in February. How small retailers fueled growth. Grocery sector growth—and what we expect to report for March. How clothing stores fared, and what we expect to report for March. Coresight Research’s monthly reports keep you up to date on US and UK retail sales, US retail traffic and in-store metrics, selected US retailers’ same-store sales and key global consumer indicators. Click here to view our full collection of monthly reports. 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:Inside India’s Flourishing Men’s Skincare Market—Masstige Growth, Celebrity Influence and Tech InnovationWeekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 37: Bodycare Enters Administration and Closes StoresHome and Home-Improvement Shopping in Focus; Financial Sentiment Turns Negative: US Consumer Survey InsightsThe State of In-Store Retailing 2025: The Dawn of New-Age Stores, Powered by Technology
Analyst CornerWeinswig’s Weekly—March 29, 2020 Coresight Research March 29, 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” looks at what major retailers are doing to mitigate the impact of the coronavirus outbreak. Each report also includes the following content: Recent retail and technology headlines from Asia, Europe, Latin America and the US—this week’s highlights include Dollar General, Morrisons and JD.com. Macroeconomic updates for Asia, Europe, Latin America and the US. An earnings calendar for Coresight 100 companies. A calendar of upcoming retail 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:Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 14: Marks & Spencer Announces Store Openings Across Multiple FormatsResilience Now: Turn Tariff Uncertainty into Opportunity Using AIHigh-Tech Retailing—Four Technologies That Retailers Can Use to Enchant Consumers: Insights from the Retail Track at CES 2025Weekly UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 41: Claire’s To Close 145 Stores
Insight ReportCoronavirus Insights: US Grocery Retail Poised for a Double-Digit Upswing, with Much Stronger Growth Online Coresight Research March 27, 2020 Reasons to ReadWith restaurants and coffee shops closed across the US, billions of dollars in food spend is set to migrate to grocery retailers. We are also seeing surging demand for online grocery. This report profiles: How much food and beverage spending will move from food-services to food retailers such as supermarkets, including dollar estimates and as a proportion of food retail sales. The latest proprietary Coresight Research consumer survey data for online grocery shopping. Our recommendations to US food retailers faced with surging demand online and in stores. Click here to view Coresight Research’s ongoing coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. 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 UK Store Openings and Closures Tracker 2025, Week 46: Store Openings Down 11% Year Over YearConsumer Sentiment Climbs from July Trough, as Tariff Truce Extended: China Consumer Survey InsightsDepartment Stores in Focus; Plus, Consumer Sentiment Latest: US Consumer Survey InsightsUS Store Tracker Extra, May 2025: Rite Aid Takes Total Closed Retail Space to Over 110 Million Square Feet
