What the Recent SBA Changes Mean for Small Businesses
In March, the Trump Administration announced plans to close the Education Department and move the federal student loan portfolio of $1.7 trillion to the Small Business Administration (SBA), raising concerns about the SBA's capacity to continue supporting small businesses.
The Impact of Tariffs on Retailers
President Trump’s tariffs have many industries scrambling around coming up with creative ways to not pass on the extra costs to their customers. Economists are predicting that consumers and businesses will likely encounter higher inflation, with price hikes on a variety of products.
March Sales Grew Moderately Amid Tariff Concerns
Retail sales grew in March after two straight months of declines, but gains remain moderate as consumers continue to be concerned by rising tariffs. Total retail sales, excluding automobiles and gasoline, were up 0.6% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 4.75% unadjusted year over year in March.
D’USSÉ Cellar Master Agathe Boinot Empowers Women
Making headlines in 2024 as the youngest female master among the major houses of Cognac at the age of 31, Agathe Boinot has had quite the unconventional journey to her appointment as D’USSÉ cellar master, breaking glass ceilings along her way.
Research Shows Consumers Prefer to Buy Alcohol Online
A recent survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers, commissioned by DRINKS and conducted by Dynata, found that 49% of 21-34-year-olds would be likely to purchase alcohol from their favorite online retailers if they started offering e-commerce versus their traditional alcohol retailer.
Consumers to Spend $23.6 Billion on Easter
Consumers plan to spend a total of $23.6 billion on Easter this year, according to an NRF survey. The amount is above last year’s $22.4 billion, and approaching the record $24 billion spent in 2023.
NRF Forecasts 2025 Retail Sales to Hit $5.42 Trillion
The National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasts that retail sales during 2025 will grow between 2.7% and 3.7% over 2024 to between $5.42 trillion and $5.48 trillion.
Consumers Desire Trust and Transparency
In an era of volatility and evolving social norms, modern consumers are navigating a highly complex landscape in which trust and transparency are paramount. InvestBev released a white paper, “Transparency: An Industry Imperative,” which offers an in-depth look at how consumer shifts toward trust and wellness are transforming the beverage industry.
Retailers Oppose USTR Shipping Remedies Proposal
The National Retail Federation and the Retail Industry Leaders Association submitted joint comments regarding proposed action in the Section 301 investigation of China’s targeting of the maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors for dominance.
‘California Sober’ Movement Changing the Way Consumers Drink
The ‘California Sober’ movement, where individuals swap alcohol for cannabis, functional beverages or simply moderation, is a trend that's here to stay. And with the global alcohol-free beverage market projected to surpass $225 billion by 2030, the question isn’t if this movement will redefine drinking culture, it’s how quickly.
