Trends
Is the Gender Wage Gap the Same at Different Education Levels?
The gender wage gap — the difference between what men and women earn — is an often-cited marker of the progress women are making in the work force typically measured by comparing the average earnings of men and women.
January 2024 Retail Sales Results Reflect Altered Shopping Patterns
In January 2024, U.S. retail sales, including both discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods (CPG), were flat in both units and revenue compared to the same month last year. Discretionary general merchandise spending declines continued at the newly established levels during the four weeks ending January 27, 2024, with 5% dollar and unit sales declines compared to last January. CPG performance held relatively steady. Food and beverage year-over-year sales revenue grew 1%, and unit sales were flat. Non-edible CPG sales improved slightly, with 2% revenue growth and a 1% unit sales decline, according to Circana, the leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior.
Census Retail Sales Data Shows Consumers ‘Still Engaged’
Data released by the U.S. Census Bureau today shows that retail sales cooled in January but that households continued to spend, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said.
Who Are You? The Art and Science of Measuring Identity [REPORT]
As a shop that studies human behavior through surveys and other social scientific techniques, we have a good line of sight into the contradictory nature of human preferences. Today, we’re calling out one of those that affects us as pollsters: categorizing our survey participants in ways that enhance our understanding of how people think and behave.
2020s: The Decade of US Soccer
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching and it will be the second time hosting for the USA after first hosting in 1994. And to this day it is still the most successful iteration of the World Cup, with record attendance (3.6M) and World Cup Final viewership (1.5B) – despite having only 52 games. By Arthur Forcione, Amrak Solutions Strategic Planner
2024 retail industry outlook [REPORT]
As retailers look to woo price-sensitive consumers in 2024, loyalty will have to be earned. To make that happen, trust will need to be the cornerstone of their profitability playbook.
From Businesses and Banks to Colleges and Churches: Americans’ Views of U.S. Institutions [REPORT]
Americans overwhelmingly see small businesses as having a positive effect on the way things are going in the country.
Black Americans’ Views on Success in the U.S. [REPORT]
Most Black Americans consider themselves at least somewhat successful (66%). When asked to define what success means to them personally, 82% of Black adults point to the ability to provide for their family.
Creating connections with Black Americans across media
For Black Americans, content provides a common ground and sense of cultural credibility. Defined through media and exported globally in fashion, TV, music and more, this culture is fundamental in its ability to bridge meaningful connections with an increasingly diverse audience. And while representing Black America is already complex, 16% of the Black population is expected to be foreign-born by 20601. That means that content will need to continue evolving to stay relevant for this media-hungry audience.
Multicultural Pet Ownership
Elevating Pet Care: Navigating Multicultural Pet Ownership Dynamics & Spending In the US pet industry, Multicultural pet owners continue to play an increasingly pivotal role in the category of overall pet ownership and spending.
An Overview of Hispanics in America [WEBINAR] TODAY
Join for an overview of the Hispanic population in the U.S. We will explore data from the 2020 Census Detailed Demographic and Housing Characteristics File A and the American Community Survey. Learn about available Census Bureau tools that provide free and easy access to data for your analysis of Hispanic trends. We will also demonstrate how to access data on the Hispanic population's language proficiency and language spoken at home.
Why Fast-Moving Consumer Goods brands need dedicated promotional effectiveness analytics
In this first edition of the Wheelhouse blog for 2024 from Ebiquity’s Marketing Effectiveness team, Principal Consultant Steffen Kapffenstein makes the case for consumer goods investing in dedicated analytics to optimise the effectiveness of their promotional spend. In today’s tough economic climate, knowing what works best in terms of promotions – and why – have never mattered more. Yet almost half of all trade investment is loss making. How can you make sure you’re in the right half?
Nielsen Expands National Out-Of-Home Panel, Bringing Coverage to 100% of U.S. TV Households
Nielsen announced that it will expand coverage of its National TV out-of-home (OOH) panel in 2024 in order to fully represent all U.S. TV households.
The Latest Trends in Hiring
Robert Half, a consulting firm, recently released new findings regarding hiring trends and employee wants and needs. The new year brings a hiring wave, as 57 percent of respondents to Robert Half's "State of U.S. Hiring Survey" stated that they plan to hire for permanent positions in the first half of 2024. Many companies are also resuming projects they previously paused.
Americans’ Use of Mobile Technology and Home Broadband [REPORT]
In a far cry from the early 2000s, most U.S. adults today say they use the internet (95%), have a smartphone (90%) or subscribe to high-speed internet at home (80%), according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted May 19 to Sept. 5, 2023.
Americans’ Social Media Use [REPORT]
Social media platforms faced a range of controversies in recent years, including concerns over misinformation and data privacy. Even so, U.S. adults use a wide range of sites and apps, especially YouTube and Facebook. And TikTok – which some Congress members previously called to ban – saw growth in its user base.
2024 sports industry outlook [REPORT]
As the global sports industry continues to navigate a period of massive transformation, our 2024 outlook explores five trends sports organizations are expected to face in the coming year. This includes the changing economics of sports, use cases for generative artificial intelligence (AI), the future of mega-events, investments in fan data, and the potential for a “new normal” in college athletics.
The Rise of AI in Agencies
When it comes to the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) among advertising and marketing agencies, class is in session. Razorfish, which is part of Publicis Groupe, has put special emphasis on equipping its employees with generative AI skills in the past year or so. Courses are offered both in-person and online via Marcel, a customized AI platform for Publicis employees. "We've held trainings to instruct staff through workshops and lunch and learns, both virtually and in our offices, to teach our teams about the latest developments across various AI tools and use cases," says Josh Campo, CEO of Razorfish, whose clients include Church & Dwight, Dove, and Samsung. "We also continuously inform them of the latest risks and have broader guidelines on the best practices to ensure safe AI use in every circumstance."
Hispanics Consumer Confidence Stronger Heading into 2024
Hispanics are feeling more optimistic about their financial situations heading into the new year, despite facing a year of rising costs, according to a poll released by the Florida Atlantic University Business and Economic Polling Initiative (FAU BEPI).
The Top Trends Shaping the Media Industry This Year
After a whirlwind 2023, the ad world is already gearing up for what's next. From the meteoric rise of generative AI to the end of third-party cookies and a presidential election, 2024 has a lot in store. Here are a few trends that will dominate the media space in the year ahead.
