Research Topic

Good times for fast-casual chains
Bolstered by the rapid expansion of build-your-own pizza concepts, fast-casual chains had another strong year in 2015. That’s according to Technomic Inc.’s annual Top 250 Fast-Casual Chain Restaurant report, which reported that cumulative sales in the fast-casual dining segment rose 11.6% in 205, compared to 13.5% in 2014.
Three Key Shifts in Consumer Attitude & Behavior
As the largest, most diverse generation ever, it’s impossible to predict the full impact millennials will have on the retail landscape. Unlike their older counterparts, millennials are digital natives with preferences and behaviors continuing to shake up the retail world. This poses a quandary for retailers. In n a highly competitive market, how can they engage millennials without alienating or “creeping out” older consumers?

Kids rule at Target

Target Corp. is tapping into its consumer base, including kids, to stay on an upward trajectory.
Survey: The waiting is the hardest part of EMV

Tom Petty fans can commiserate with retailers who report having difficulty implementing EMV due to slow movement from the payment card industry. According to a new survey of retailers conducted by the National Retail Federation (NRF) in May and June, 48% of respondents had already implemented the new EMV chip card system or expected to have done so by the end of June. A total of 86% expect to have EMV up and running by the end of the year.
NRF: Consumers want swipe fee status quo

The people have spoken – and they like limits on debit card swipe fees the way they are.
GETTING THE REBATE

There is substantial funding available to reduce the cost of upgrading existing lighting systems, but it takes some preparation. Here are some tips:
TWO TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

Joel Alden, partner in the retail practice at A.T. Kearney, said that investments in technology and physical stores mainly fall into two distinct categories: maintenance investments or growth investments.

“For maintenance investments — replacing a degrading building infrastructure, for example — the cost of not making the investment is critically important,” Alden said.
Survey: Back-to-school means back to spending

Parents are increasing their back-to-school budgets, although overall spending is stagnant compared to recent years. According to a new survey of 1,830 U.S. parents of elementary through college students by Mintel, 52% of respondents plan to spend more on back-to-school (BTS) shopping than in 2015. Only 4% plan to spend less, with 44% planning to spend the same. However, overall planned BTS spending dropped to $68 billion in 2015 after ranging from $73 - $76 billion annually from 2010-2014.
NRF supports overturning of swipe fee settlement

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is publicly welcoming a ruling striking down the 2012 settlement of a class action lawsuit over Visa and MasterCard’s credit card swipe fees. The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York overturns a December 2013 approval of the settlement by U.S. District Court Judge John Gleeson.
Study: Customers get a little satisfaction

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” has been the theme song of U.S. consumers for the past two years, but they may need to look for a new anthem.

Good times for fast-casual chains

Three Key Shifts in Consumer Attitude & Behavior

Kids rule at Target

Survey: The waiting is the hardest part of EMV

NRF: Consumers want swipe fee status quo

GETTING THE REBATE

TWO TYPES OF INVESTMENTS

Survey: Back-to-school means back to spending

NRF supports overturning of swipe fee settlement

Study: Customers get a little satisfaction