News Briefs

A new survey reveals the many factors that can affect a digital purchase decision.

The new E-commerce Pulse Report from product experience platform Salsify and the Digital Shelf Institute, which surveyed more than 1,000 U.S. and U.K. online shoppers, reveals that 59% of respondents shop via smartphone.

In addition, 70% of respondents say discounts lead to unplanned online purchases, while 62% say flash sales and limited-time promotions influence their buying decisions.

More than half (53%) of respondents plan to buy electronics during major sales events like Amazon Prime Day, Target Circle Week, and Walmart Deals, and 44% compare prices across at least three retailers before purchasing.

However, while discounts are a major driver of unplanned digital purchases, 48% of respondents prioritize free shipping and 41% value flexible payment options. One-in-four respondents say customer reviews influence their buying decisions, more than product images (22%) or price (19%).

Seven-in-10 (69%) respondents use marketplace apps like Amazon and eBay, and 54% regularly shop across multiple marketplaces. Forty-five percent utilize retailer apps like Target and Best Buy.

"Tariffs and economic uncertainty are making consumers more price-conscious than ever, influencing shopping behavior across every category," said Dom Scarlett, research director at Salsify. "To stay competitive, brands must optimize their digital presence across all major retailers, refine their pricing strategies, and deliver compelling product content that builds trust and drives conversions — no matter what they’re selling."

[READ MORE: Survey: Consumers to prioritize lowest prices in coming months]

Consumers are reining in their spending when it comes to apparel and accessories, with the sector the worst performing major category so far this year.

Consumer spending at clothing and accessories establishments fell 3.9% year-over-year between Jan. 1 and March 23, 2025, according to Earnest Analytics' debit and credit card data. The preliminary March growth represents a deceleration from February after accounting for Leap Day 2024, with the March 1-23 data reflecting the worst monthly trend since November 2024. 

The reduction is driven mostly by lower credit card spending growth. Debit card growth outperformed credit for most of the last 12 months, similar to total trends. This could suggest younger shoppers were bigger drivers in clothing and accessory spending growth, the report said.

On the positive side, although March represents a further reduction from February, it also marks an improvement from deeper declines in early 2024.

Other insights from the Earnest data are below.

• The average credit and debit card transaction size at clothing and accessories stores  was $122 in the first 23 days of March, 2025.
• Average basket size has mostly declined year over year since December 2024.
• Consumer spending at clothing and accessories stores grew the fastest in Hawaii, Louisiana and Ohio. It was slowest in Alaska, South Dakota and the District of Columbia. Nevertheless, clothing spending fell in most states.

A family-owned Midwest grocer is expanding its partnership with DoorDash.

Schnuck Markets, Inc. and the delivery platform have partnered to launch on-demand delivery of groceries and daily essentials. In addition, Schnucks will now accept SNAP/EBT payments on the DoorDash Marketplace, helping ease the burden on low-income families and supporting broader food access across the communities Schnucks and DoorDash serve.

“Consumers look to DoorDash to shop fresh, affordable groceries on-demand,” said Mike Goldblatt, VP of grocery & retail partnerships at DoorDash. “We’re thrilled to welcome this beloved, family-owned grocer with over 100 stores to DoorDash. Through online grocery delivery, we’re also proud to further food access to SNAP beneficiaries to stock up on meats, essentials, and produce to feed their families while discovering the best local businesses in their neighborhoods.”

DoorDash’s network of stores that accept SNAP/EBT online payments on its marketplace includes more than 35,000 stores.

All Schnucks stores are also available on DashPass, DoorDash’s membership program that offers $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees from thousands of restaurants, grocery, and convenience stores nationwide.

“Our new partnership with DoorDash helps us reach our customers where and when it’s most convenient for them,” said Chace MacMullan, Schnucks senior director of digital experience. “While being able to accept SNAP/EBT benefits as a part of DoorDash orders helps bring our shoppers fresh, affordable food on demand.”

[READ MORE: DoorDash brings delivery robots to U.S.]

Founded in St. Louis in 1939, Schnuck Markets, Inc. is a third and fourth generation, family-owned grocer that operates 114 stores in Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

The largest furniture store retailer in North America is extending its longstanding consumer financing program.

Ashley has been offering consumer financing in partnership with Synchrony since 2010. Under a renewed agreement, Synchrony will continue to administer the Ashley Advantage credit card and will continue to offer a range of promotional terms including deferred interest, equal pay/no interest and reduced interest plans, as well as fixed monthly payments with terms ranging from six to 72 months.

"Synchrony’s relentless commitment to innovation and customer-centric experiences makes them the perfect partner to help our licensees grow their business and keep Ashley number one," said Chad Spencer, CEO of Ashley Global Retail. "We are committed to continuous improvement in the retail finance space, and we know Synchrony is the right partner to accomplish this."

More than 750 independent Ashley licensee locations participating in the Synchrony program, which includes features such as:

• Data and analytics to support strategic decisions around promotion offerings, consumer behaviors and program performance.
• A seamless credit application process across Ashley’s in-store and digital platforms.
• Synchrony’s credit decisioning model, risk tools, and financing options.

[READ MORE: Ashley to ‘refresh’ all stores with new design]

"For nearly 15 years, Synchrony and Ashley have worked together to offer seamless financing solutions that provide real value to customers," said Curtis Howse, CEO of home & auto at Synchrony. "This renewal strengthens our commitment to supporting Ashley’s customers and independent licensees with financing options that make home furnishing purchases more accessible and affordable."

Based in Arcadia, Wis., Ashley operates more than 1,100 store locations in 70 countries.

Luxury apparel company Vince Holding Corp. has named a company veteran as its chief financial officer.

Yuji Okumura, the company's interim CFO since March 2025 and controller since September 2020, has been named CFO, effective April 14. Okurumara was appointed interim CFO following the departure of John Szczepanski, who served in the role for over a year.

“Yuji's tenure with our company, his leadership and strong financial expertise are the attributes that we need as we begin our next chapter,” said Vince CEO Brendan Hoffman, who returned to the company this year after its recent acquisition by the investment firm he co-founded, P180. “His financial discipline and insight will be invaluable as we continue to navigate a dynamic macroeconomic and consumer environment.”

Okumura has nearly two decades of experience in accounting and financial reporting. He has served as Vince’s VP, controller since 2020 after originally joining the organization in 2018 as its director of financial reporting. Prior to Vince, Okumura worked for over 11 years in public accounting at KPMG US.

“I am proud to partner more closely with our executive team and work diligently with our finance organization as we remain disciplined and focused on executing on our objectives,” said Okumura.

[READ MORE: Survey: CFOs economic optimism takes big dive]

Founded in 2020, Vince operates 44 full-price retail stores, 14 outlet stores and an e-commerce site. It also is distributed through premium wholesale channels globally.

Starbucks Corp. wants to keep things simple — and uniform — when it comes to what its store employees wear on the job.

As part of an updated dress code, starting on May 12, the coffee giant will require employees to wear solid black shirts — short and long-sleeved crewneck, collared, or button-up — and any shade of khaki, black or blue denim bottoms. Previously, the employees, or “baristas” in Starbucks speak, were able to wear any colored shirt they wanted.

In line with the change, Starbucks is making a new line of company branded t-shirts. Employees will receive two free shirts.

The new code is designed to highlight Starbuck’s signature green apron, which has been a symbol of the company since 1987.  It comes as new CEO Brian Niccol has been working to improve the chain’s performance with his “Back to Starbucks” strategy. The strategy includes a renewed emphasis on the in-store experience, with a goal of every store across North America reflecting a “cohesive and consistent” coffeehouse experience, the company said.

"We’ve made progress in our efforts to get Back to Starbucks and create a warm and welcoming coffeehouse experience for our customers,” Starbucks stated. "We’re evolving our dress code to focus on simplified color options that highlight our iconic green apron and create a better sense of consistency and familiarity for our customers.”