About Data Points

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

    Ulta’s Q1 performance signals increase in beauty spend

    Increasing vaccination rates and loosening policies in regards to large gatherings and mask-wearing have re-ignited consumers’ interest in beauty products. One of the main beneficiaries of this phenomenon is Ulta Beauty, whose Q1 2021 earnings outperformed investors’ expectations. Consumer transaction data reveals that Ulta’s 2021 sales are surpassing historical performance, with sales in March and … Continued
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    DTC companies capturing larger share of furniture sales

    Consumer spending data reveals that home furniture sales have grown during the pandemic. While traditional furniture retailers have experienced modest sales growth since summer 2020, direct-to-consumer (DTC) furniture companies are experiencing greater growth and capturing an increasing percentage of market share. This is likely due to both the closure of brick and mortar stores and … Continued
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    Gym sales warm up as home fitness cools down

    Fitness centers and gyms in many states are reopening as vaccination rates continue to increase. However, while gym facilities were closed early in the pandemic, many people turned to home fitness companies for workout equipment. Sales growth skyrocketed for home fitness brands over the past year, and one emerging player in the industry, Mirror, was … Continued
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    Airline sales taking off

    As the U.S. economy reopens, consumer spending has increased in travel-related sectors. Transaction data shows sales for air travel, hotels, and travel arrangement services have increased since plummeting in March 2020, and rose dramatically in March 2021, while the cruise industry’s recovery remains sluggish. Within the airline industry, both full-service and low-cost airlines have been … Continued
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    Fashion resale platforms outperform retailers during pandemic

    As environmentally-conscious consumers turn away from fast fashion and seek more sustainable alternatives, resale marketplaces have been on the rise. Furthermore, traditional retailers have started implementing new resale initiatives; Lululemon recently announced a resale program for pre-owned activewear, and Neiman Marcus launched a platform for its stylists to sell clients’ unwanted handbags and accessories. Transaction … Continued
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    Robinhood’s band of investors grows during COVID-19 era

    Retail trading has been booming during the pandemic, sending trading volumes to record highs as everyday investors joined in on the historic rally in equities. Momentum has been growing for several years, as the barriers to entry have fallen. App-based brokerages such as Robinhood and Webull have grown in popularity and made investing more accessible … Continued
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