Executive Summary: This report explores consumer behavior and trends surrounding the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping events based on the November 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,135). Key insights include: Shopping Participation: 3% of adults plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend; 39.1% “definitely” and 35.2% “maybe.” Planning to shop has grown at an […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This report explores consumer behavior and trends surrounding the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping events based on the November 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,135). Key insights include: Shopping Participation: 3% of adults plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend; 39.1% “definitely” and 35.2% “maybe.” Planning to shop has grown at an […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This report explores consumer behavior and trends surrounding the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping events based on the November 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,135). Key insights include: Shopping Participation: 3% of adults plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend; 39.1% “definitely” and 35.2% “maybe.” Planning to shop has grown at an […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This article presents key findings from the October 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,191), focusing on early holiday celebration plans, spending behavior, and shopping trends for the winter season. The results highlight evolving consumer preferences, spending patterns, and economic influences as the holiday season approaches. Key Findings: Holiday Celebrations: 92.8% of respondents […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Halloween remains a key retail event in the United States, attracting millions of consumers and generating significant economic activity through costume purchases, decorations, and seasonal festivities, even amidst varying participation rates and broader economic fluctuations. In 2024, 72.4% of adults plan to celebrate Halloween. The most common Halloween activities include handing out candy, […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Halloween remains a key retail event in the United States, attracting millions of consumers and generating significant economic activity through costume purchases, decorations, and seasonal festivities, even amidst varying participation rates and broader economic fluctuations. In 2024, 72.4% of adults plan to celebrate Halloween. The most common Halloween activities include handing out candy, […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: As the back-to-school and college shopping season unfolds, new survey data sheds light on consumer spending trends and behaviors for 2024. This year, spending continues to be a significant retail event, driven by both necessity and seasonal shopping patterns. • Average back-to-school spending is projected at $874 per family, while college spending averages […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: As the back-to-school and college shopping season unfolds, new survey data sheds light on consumer spending trends and behaviors for 2024. This year, spending continues to be a significant retail event, driven by both necessity and seasonal shopping patterns. • Average back-to-school spending is projected at $874 per family, while college spending averages […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: As the back-to-school and college shopping season unfolds, new survey data sheds light on consumer spending trends and behaviors for 2024. This year, spending continues to be a significant retail event, driven by both necessity and seasonal shopping patterns. • Average back-to-school spending is projected at $874 per family, while college spending averages […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: As the back-to-school and college shopping season unfolds, new survey data sheds light on consumer spending trends and behaviors for 2024. This year, spending continues to be a significant retail event, driven by both necessity and seasonal shopping patterns. • Average back-to-school spending is projected at $874 per family, while college spending averages […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
The Medill Spiegel Research Center (SRC) is part of Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications. The mission of the center is to undertake evidence-based, data-driven quantitative, analysis to understand the relationship between various forms of customer engagement and favorable financial outcomes.| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: The Fourth of July is the second most popular American holiday, following only Christmas. Key highlights include: 4% of respondents plan to celebrate the Fourth of July, which is down slightly from last year. Average planned spending is $92.44. Over 68% of respondents have noticed higher prices, particularly in beverages and food. Celebrators […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Father’s Day, observed on Sunday, June 15, 2025, continues to rank as the sixth most popular American holiday, trailing just behind the Super Bowl and ahead of Halloween. According to Prosper Insights & Analytics May 2025 consumer survey, which tracks annual events and market behavior, participation in Father’s Day celebrations remains steady, but […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Based on April 2025 data from Prosper Insights & Analytics, and in cooperation with the National Retail Federation (NRF), we present planned Mother’s Day activities. Mother’s Day continues to hold a strong position in American consumer behavior and retail spending, despite shifts in economic conditions and gift preferences. Key findings from the 2025 […] The post What Moms (and Shoppers) Want in 2025 appeared first on Medill Spiegel Research Center.| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Retail has never stood still, but the pace of change in recent years, driven by the rise of e-commerce and reshaped by the pandemic, has been unprecedented. In a new book, titled Rethinking Retail: What Marketers and Retailers Can Learn About Consumer Preference from Analytics, the leaders of the Retail Analytics Council offer data-driven insight […] The post New Book by Retail Analytics Council Offers a Roadmap for Building Consumer Preference in the Digital Age appeared first on Medill ...| Medill Spiegel Research Center
At the 2025 AUDIENCExSCIENCE conference, hosted by the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) on March 25–26 in New York City, leaders in advertising, media, and data science gathered to explore the future of audience measurement. Among the standout presentations was Return on Media, a research study led by the Retail Analytics Council’s Larry DeGaris, Executive Director […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Prosper Insights & Analytics, in cooperation with the National Retail Federation (NRF), has been surveying consumers for over 20 years on their seasonal retail shopping plans. Easter ranks between the Super Bowl and Mother’s Day in popularity among American celebrations. Over the past nine years, there has been a slight decrease in the […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: St. Patrick’s Day emerges as a flourishing American celebration, gaining popularity and showcasing notable trends in consumer behavior. The latest Prosper Insights & Analytics survey conducted in February 2025 reveals insights into participation rates, spending habits, and the demographics of celebrators. St. Patrick’s Day participation remains strong, with 61.8% of people planning to […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Valentine’s Day has long been associated with romance, but recent trends suggest that its focus and participation are shifting. Fewer people celebrate with romantic partners; instead, more include family, friends, and even pets. Economic factors, shifting consumer behaviors, and other shifts reshape how Americans observe Valentine’s Day. Valentine’s Day celebration rates have decreased […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Despite Tradition, Easter Shoppers Prioritize Sweet Treats Over Sentimental Staples| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Despite Tradition, Easter Shoppers Prioritize Sweet Treats Over Sentimental Staples| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Despite Tradition, Easter Shoppers Prioritize Sweet Treats Over Sentimental Staples| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Gen-Z, Millennials, and Gen-X drive St. Patrick’s Day Spending| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Despite Tradition, Easter Shoppers Prioritize Sweet Treats Over Sentimental Staples| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Super Bowl LIX From Tailgates to Retail Trends By Dr. Martin Block, Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University, Retail Analytics Council Executive Summary: The Super Bowl continues to hold a significant place in American culture, rivaling major holidays such as Father’s Day and Halloween in terms of participation. The 2025 survey by Prosper Insights & Analytics highlights […] The post Super Bowl LIX From Tailgates to Retail Trends appeared first on Medill Spiegel Research Center.| Medill Spiegel Research Center
AI’s Rapid Growth Limited to the Young and Affluent; Trust and Privacy Issues Remain By Dr. Martin Block, Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University, Retail Analytics Council Executive Summary: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming how consumers and businesses interact with technology, offering new opportunities for personalization, efficiency, and creativity. A recent survey by Prosper Technologies provides […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Unwrapping Holiday Shopping 2024 By Dr. Martin Block, Professor Emeritus, Northwestern University, Retail Analytics Council A recent survey provides insight into how prepared shoppers were by mid-December. Based on data from the 94.7% of people who shop for the holidays, the results reveal a mix of careful planning and last-minute scrambling. Here’s where consumers stood leading […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This report explores consumer behavior and trends surrounding the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holiday shopping events based on the November 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,135). Key insights include: Shopping Participation: 3% of adults plan to shop during Thanksgiving weekend; 39.1% “definitely” and 35.2% “maybe.” Planning to shop has grown at an […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This article presents key findings from the October 2024 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,191), focusing on early holiday celebration plans, spending behavior, and shopping trends for the winter season. The results highlight evolving consumer preferences, spending patterns, and economic influences as the holiday season approaches. Key Findings: Holiday Celebrations: 92.8% of respondents […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Halloween remains a key retail event in the United States, attracting millions of consumers and generating significant economic activity through costume purchases, decorations, and seasonal festivities, even amidst varying participation rates and broader economic fluctuations. In 2024, 72.4% of adults plan to celebrate Halloween. The most common Halloween activities include handing out candy, […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: As the back-to-school and college shopping season unfolds, new survey data sheds light on consumer spending trends and behaviors for 2024. This year, spending continues to be a significant retail event, driven by both necessity and seasonal shopping patterns. • Average back-to-school spending is projected at $874 per family, while college spending averages […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: This article examines the impact of private labels and consumer brand preference on retail, utilizing data from Prosper Insights & Analytics across various product categories. The analysis spans from 2014 to 2024, providing insights into trends and shifts in consumer behavior. Private label shares vary across product categories, with categories like napkins and […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: The Hispanic population in the U.S. shows unique demographic trends and behaviors, significantly influencing household dynamics, spending habits, and media consumption, which are important for retailers to consider for targeted marketing strategies. The percentage of Americans identifying as Hispanic has increased to 17.0% in 2024 from 14.5% in 2020, with an average age […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: The Fourth of July is the second most popular American holiday, following only Christmas. Key highlights include: 87.2% of respondents celebrate the Fourth of July, the same as 2023. Over 68% of respondents have noticed higher prices, particularly in beverages and food. Celebrators are more likely to be male, married, have children, and […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Executive Summary: Father’s Day, observed on Sunday, June 16, 2024, is the sixth most popular American holiday, surpassing Halloween but trailing behind the Super Bowl. While participation in Father’s Day celebrations has remained steady, spending is down, particularly on physical gifts. Demographic factors such as marital status, presence of children, and income strongly influence celebration […]| Medill Spiegel Research Center
Evidence of the Power of Online Reviews to Shape Customer Behavior| Medill Spiegel Research Center
