Industry News

An analysis from FDA compliance company Registrar Corp reveals that 48% of companies selling imported cosmetics at America’s top 25 retailers are non-compliant with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) new cosmetics regulations.

Retail sales bounced back strongly in October as the economy remained in good shape and consumers moved past concerns about a port strike and other issues that slowed September’s sales, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor.

Circana last week announced the U.S. toy retail sales performance results for January through September 2024, revealing insights into the retail trends, performance drivers and consumers’ holiday shopping intentions.

Celebrity partnerships have been used by companies since the early days of marketing. When done correctly, they can greatly help boost brand awareness. Big Sipz, a higher ABV canned cocktail brand, partnered with Waka Flocka on its Purple Punch flavor and has found huge success with the collaboration.

AI-powered audience insights platform RAD Intel just introduced state-by-state functionality to provide brands and agencies with better data and insights on both macro and micro influencers, ensuring more precisely targeted and effective marketing campaigns.

Consumer spending on the winter holidays is expected to reach a record $902 per person on average across gifts, food, decorations and other seasonal items, according to the National Retail Federation’s latest consumer survey. The amount is about $25 per person more than last year’s figure and $16 higher than the previous record set in 2019.

During a media call, the National Retail Federation (NRF) forecasted that winter holiday spending is expected to grow between 2.5% and 3.5% over 2023. That equates to between $979.5 billion and $989 billion in total holiday spending in November and December, compared with $955.6 billion during the same timeframe last year. 

With the holiday season around the corner, e-commerce marketing automation platform Omnisend conducted a survey of 1,000 Americans about their shipping time preferences and found that 44.3% of respondents are willing to wait for more than a week for their parcel to arrive if it means they’ll get the item for a lower price.

Amazon recently notified thousands of brands using their vendor central platform that their 1P (first-party) accounts will be closed on November 9, 2024. This decision has left sellers on the platform scrambling to find alternative sales channels.

The CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor found that retail sales saw a slight month-over-month drop in September, but consumers continued to spend more than last year as interest rates and inflation fell and employment rose.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) announced a new collaboration with The Power of Preparedness (TPOP), a provider of online training solutions and resources focused on workplace violence prevention in the retail sector. This collaboration aims to provide NRF’s network of retailers with enhanced safety and security training to help protect employees, customers and businesses in today’s increasingly complex retail risk environment.

At a time when retailers are gearing up for the holiday season, a port strike at the United States’ East and Gulf Coast ports interrupted cargo flow last week. After only three days, the strike came to an end, with likely only limited damage to America’s economy.

When you think about sustainability, the first things that probably come to mind are solar panels and recyclable containers. And while these work great to help to reduce your carbon footprint, many companies are beginning to think outside the box, finding innovative new ways to be more sustainable. 

Imports of U.S. container cargo in August jumped 12.9% from a year ago as a summer volume surge delayed cargo at major ports. A potential strike also threatens to disrupt supply chains at a scale not seen in years, with the power to delay shipments, drain inventory and spike costs — all at a time when consumers expect seamless service.

Transportation and fleet management solutions provider Ryder System, Inc. released its 10th annual e-commerce consumer study. The 2024 study, “The Influence of Omnichannel Excellence on Consumer Behavior,” reveals key factors influencing purchasing decisions, customer loyalty and retention as consumers reintegrate physical stores into their shopping journeys.

Early Halloween shopping is on the rise, with 47% of survey participants beginning their shopping before October, according to the National Retail Federation’s annual survey. Total Halloween spending is expected to reach $11.6 billion, after last year’s record-setting $12.2 billion.

Retail sales increased again in August as consumer demand and easing inflation overcame slower job growth. Total retail sales were up 0.45% seasonally adjusted month over month and up 2.11% unadjusted year over year in August.

TOTE's platform allows customers to select items on a brand's website and have them waiting in a fitting room to try on in-store. Online-only retailers can also leverage the platform to book virtual styling sessions or to send shoppers to their stockists’ locations.

Manufacturing overseas is becoming increasingly complicated. Between higher shipping costs, longer wait times and an increased risk of problems arising with the shipments, more companies are turning to manufacturing nearshoring. 

The cosmetics industry is undergoing a major shift that will impact manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Signed into law in December 2022, the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) aims to enhance consumer safety by introducing stricter regulations for the manufacturing, distribution and safety assessment of cosmetic products.