consumer trends

6 things to know about the holiday shopping season

The 2022 holiday shopping season is underway for many retailers as the preparation for this year's fourth quarter has included many unknowns and less predictability than past years. Inflation, gas prices and shipping disruptions have... more »

Better Homes & Gardens unveils 2023 Color of the Year

Better Homes & Gardens has announced Canyon Ridge as the brand’s second annual selection for Color of the Year. A subtle spin on terracotta, the color is described by BHG editors as “skews more sunbaked clay than... more »

Customization Trends

The world of customized merchandise is incredibly vast, and the segment is evolving fast thanks to advancements in technology such as 3-D printing, networked production and high-speed data transmission, enabling mass customization like never before.... more »

Halloween spending returns to pre-pandemic levels

Participation in Halloween-related activities will resume to pre-pandemic levels, with 69% of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday this year, up from 65% in 2021 and comparable to 68% in 2019, according to the National... more »

High Point Market Tours focus on trends, lighting and product discovery

DesignOnHPMKT by IMC offers designers and retailers real time insights on new and next at the October 22-26 High Point Market through a series of five live tours focused on lighting – led by Chris... more »

Comfort and creativity shape Atlanta Apparel trend report

Atlanta Apparel has released its exclusive semi-annual trend report, developed by its in-house fashion office, previewing upcoming Spring/Summer 2023 colors, prints and styles available at the upcoming October Atlanta Apparel, October 11-15 at AmericasMart Atlanta.... more »

July retail sales show consumers still shopping despite inflation

Core retail sales as calculated by the National Retail Federation rose in July even as overall sales reported by the Census Bureau remained flat on a monthly basis, and both calculations showed strong year-over-year gains... more »

IMC’s TrendWatch Fall 2022 explores new products

International Market Centers’ (IMC) TrendWatch forecast explores the myriad new products at the Fall 2022 High Point Market through three unique themes: Entwine, Midnight and Modernity. Examples of the trends – as presented by exhibitors... more »