Circana

CHICAGO – July 13, 2026– U.S. consumers are no longer just cutting back; they are recalibrating how they buy, according to new Circana Compass research released today by Circana LLC. The insights show the U.S. retail food and beverage (F&B) industry grew 2.2% in the first half of 2026, and Circana projects growth will settle into a 2-3% range in 2027 as shoppers optimize spending amid financial pressure, shifting lifestyle priorities, and increasingly digital, AI-assisted shopping behavior.

Today's shoppers move seamlessly between physical retail, e-commerce, brand-owned channels, and social platforms. For small and emerging CPG brands, that creates both opportunity and complexity. Limited budgets, fragmented data, and growing consumer expectations make it harder than ever to decide where to invest next.

Lisa Maas 10 minutes ago 4 min read It’s an important question with often-murky answers: Did a promotion actually move the needle for the business? Although today’s brands and retailers have many tools at their disposal to launch promotions, it is challenging to discern the impact of such efforts. Many promotion analyses can’t distinguish between selling more items and notably improving performance.

Circana data indicates spending on beer and cider in shops fell by 5.2% during the week of England’s opening match against Croatia compared with the same week last year, equivalent to a £9.3m drop. However drinks sales surged the following week as England’s second match coincided with record-high June temperatures.

CHICAGO – July 9, 2026 — Circana, LLC today released its latest Future of™ Office Supplies forecast, revealing a category in transition. Despite ongoing macroeconomic pressures and softer demand, the U.S. office supplies industry is projected to reach $11.1 billion in sales in 2026, representing a modest 0.1% decline versus 2025, as higher prices continue to offset declining unit volumes.

For retailers and brands, the biggest takeaway may be that the true read on consumer demand has yet to come. The back-to-school season — once a predictable summer shopping event — has evolved into a more fluid and extended spending period that will likely shape retail performance through the fall.

CHICAGO – July 8, 2026– As consumers settle into weeks of global soccer viewing, new insights from Circana, LLCshow the tournament is driving increased sales across entertaining-related food and beverage categories as Americans gather to watch matches at home with friends and family. During the week ending June 28, 2026, consumers stocked up on foods and beverages associated with hosting and social viewing occasions.

Of those who plan to watch the global soccer tournament, 66% State that they plan to view this year's matches at home by themselves or with members of their household. Quick Insight As the international tournament kicks off across North American cities in mid-June, CPG brands, retailers, and foodservice operators have a clear opportunity to engage millions of fans across 48 countries. And it’s not just about viewership, it's about shared experiences.

Yeimy Garcia-Smith 28 minutes ago 5 min read The real question isn't which one wins. It's which one belongs at which layer of your measurement stack, and when (and why) you need them working together. Two Approaches, Two Questions, One Common Mistake MMM and experiment testing measure marketing campaigns and programs through different lenses. MMM provides a broad view of a complete brand marketing and media program, while experiment testing gives a detailed read on a single decision.

Moving from an inaugural handful of stores to 50 locations, then 100 and onto 500 doors is often a difficult growth arc for emerging brands. That said, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that understand how retail buyers actually make decisions can follow that path. Instead of relying on chance — hoping the right buyer discovers and likes their product — these brands approach growth more strategically, giving them a clear advantage.