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A research blog transforming data into stories about consumer trends. Hundreds of journalists trust our data. We have been cited in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and more.

Pandemic surge in ecommerce spending continues across the U.S.

The COVID-19 pandemic has crippled many traditional retailers, with previous analyses showing clothing store sales dropping by half, or more. As many Americans are still unable to patronize brick-and-mortars, that spending may be increasingly displaced toward online shopping. Nationwide, the latest data reveals that weekly ecommerce sales are up 80 percent year-over-year. 

For restaurants, COVID-19 recovery varies greatly by state

After sheltering in place for weeks, American consumers are warming up to the idea of dining out, opening both their mouths and wallets to restaurant chains across the nation. As some states begin phased re-openings, spending at quick-service restaurants year-over-year has grown in many states, especially those where shelter-in-place orders have been lifted. Meanwhile, year-over-year sales at full-service restaurants are still down nationwide.

Discretionary Spending Up Among Stimulus Payment Recipients

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. government has begun issuing economic impact payments via the IRS to qualifying Americans. These cash infusions are helping U.S. consumers cover their basic expenses as well as stimulating the economy at large. By identifying members of our U.S. consumer panel who have received a payment, our latest analysis measures the relative impact of stimulus on spending behaviors.