Media Features

The delivery dilemma continues! This is perfectly predictable!

The unfortunate unintended consequence of higher wages is suppressed demand. This report is supported by what we’ve been seeing in our data over the past few months…

Over the holiday weekend, I chatted with Jeané Franseen Fox News Media about my latest consumer trend data. Might there be a glimmer of hope and positivity amidst all the economic and the electoral doom and gloom?

We dove into the good, the bad, and the ugly.
I like to end on the good, so...

McDonald's new Meal Deal has garnered massive headlines; but will sales meet expectations? In my recent survey, more than a third of frequent fast-food patrons said they’d go after the brand’s $5 meal deal. Is there reason for other fast food chains to worry?

As we enter the summer season, the discount wars are heating up...

When your competitors cut prices and start dealing, following suit may seem like the only option you have. It’s not!

McDonald’s is cranking up the heat on the discount wars next week, as they roll out a $5 meal deal promotion aimed to draw in value-conscious customers. With economic anxiety on the rise, and our recent data showing a notable pullback in consumer spending across dining, entertainment, and retail, will the move be enough to pull customers away from competitors?

Cracker Barrel is undertaking a huge brand rejuvenation... it's been a long time coming and desperately needed. Thanks, Danielle Wiener-Bronner for including my insights in the article!

Will 4-6p Dinner Deals attract seniors, millennial families, or both? A couple of watch-outs with this tactic...

As Geoff Harris puts it, “Young people are prioritizing their bank accounts over their closets.”

#NoBuyPledge Thanks for including me in the segment!

Gen Z's latest trends catching fire include the “No-Buy Pledge” and even the “No New Clothes Group.” The idea is that people pledge to stop buying non-essential items for an extended period of time. Why, you may ask?

More and more dining rooms are shrinking. My data suggests this is a self-fulling prophecy driven more by the industry and less by consumers.

Don't be fooled when you read that consumers don't want to dine in. Consumers do want to go out and connect with family and friends. It's more that the industry is not delivering an experience that's worth it!

I had the honor of joining Katherine Twells for the latest episode of the The Coca-Cola Company Compassion Lab!

They call it a “lab” because we are all continuously learning! I love that!

It was so fun to talk with Kathy about the value of joy and connection.

Here’s a key insight...

Sure, the solar eclipse is a perfect opportunity for Americans to reconnect and create joyful memories. But did you know the economic impact could eclipse even last year’s behemoth Taylor Swift’s Era’s tour?!

And so it begins. California’s implementation of a landmark increase in minimum wage for fast-food workers from $16 to $20 takes hold today, and it’s far from an April Fools’ jest.

Americans have caught a Case of the Overs! 1 in 2 say they are regularly overthinking things…

Will 2024 be the year of the employee? My new data has a unique twist!

When I asked what brand values consumers care about the most, the answers were shocking! Employee well being and employee wages were key factors in brand choice!

Consumers say they want employees to have fair wages, but who is going to pay for that? The companies? Or ultimately, the consumers?

Are we turning the page on financial worries? It may not feel like it, yet 1 in 4 consumers are back to their usual spending habits - the highest level I’ve seen since June 2023!

Even just since December, the amount of consumers who say that they are spending has gone up 3 points. Who and what is driving that?

How does Starbucks keep pace with consumers and maintain their status as a desired third place? They focus on consistent, high quality, friendly service. Surveys show customers more likely to value friendly service over speed. Friendly, attentive service was...

“It is so good to see you in person!” Have you said that recently? I know I definitely have.

We are still unwinding the unintended consequences of the pandemic as consumers are still reporting high levels of loneliness.

"To pause from screens to inspire #joy and community and remind us of all of the power of human connection during mealtimes. Across all cultures, sharing food has always been a part of human experiences linking us all together."

Only 32% say they are 100% done with their holiday shopping as of yesterday, 12/22! This holiday season started early, back in October before Halloween, and will likely end later than most years.

Plus, what New Year's resolutions will consumers be making? Putting down phones and being more connected?

Jonathan Maze says it best in this article: In a world of digital orders and drive-thrus, friendly service actually matters more than speed.

As we approach the 2023 Halloween holiday, what are consumers looking to buy and do? I spoke with LiveNow on Fox to answer that and so much more.

Did you know that the National Retail Foundation expects the holiday this year to be at least $12B? That's up more than 20% since last year! My data agrees! Whether its a young child trick-or-treating or young adults going to parties, we could all use a little more joy!

Are today's students prepared for their futures? Most Americans don't think so. *19% believe High School graduates are prepared after graduation
*23% believe college graduates are prepared for the workforce.

Also concerning, only 32% of parents believe their students enjoy learning at school.

I spoke with LiveNow on Fox Host Josh Breslow to discuss three key emerging trends I'm seeing out within the world and in my research. Josh also surprised me with a copy of my book. The Business of Joy, live on air! What a surprise!

Does anyone recall that Spring poll highlighting that US patriotism as an important value had tanked to 38% in 2023 from 61% in 2019? Bad news travels fast, political banter travels faster.

It disturbed me on many levels. Sure, I had research methodology and context questions like many people that wrote about it and discovered some important “clarifications and caveats.”

The restaurant industry is facing a serious challenge. In a world where convenience and efficiency are increasingly valued, restaurants are in the midst of a perfect storm made from dwindling diner patience and suboptimal service. Customers are ready to move on from the pandemic, and they expect their favorite restaurants to be too. As frustrations with price continue to mount, restaurants' leeway continues to shorten.

The demand for delivery has undeniably decreased from its peak during the pandemic. This is an established fact. However, noise and misconceptions have clouded the true causes behind this shift. When you dive into the data, it becomes apparent that the challenges associated with delivery are entirely predictable, and it makes perfect sense that an increasing number of customers now express that it is simply "not worth it anymore."

McDonald’s purple Grimace Shake is taking over the internet. While viral social-media promotions like this can drive in both new and returning customers, one overlooked aspect of the success is that it can often lead to item shortages. When customers excitedly pull up to the drive-thru window hoping for your latest trending item, only to find it out of stock, it leaves a bitter taste in their mouth.

Our data shows that we have made significant progress in consumers returning to pre-pandemic frequencies, yet there is still significant demand to unlock.

Today, it's easier to leave than it is to stay. That's where change needs to happen. We know that offering too many discounts isn't a good idea - it trains the consumer to wait for the next deal. But what if a similar thing is happening with our employees?

I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Yitzi in a conversation that will take you back to learn about my childhood and the things that shaped who I am today. Plus, you’ll learn 5 of the key insights from my new book, The Business of Joy!

Raise your hand if you are a "last-minute" shopper!!! Rest assured -- you are not alone!
"Hot off the press" this week, 29% reported that they hadn't started their holiday shopping!

As the holiday season approaches, customers are still cautious about going back out and shopping. When you can order everything you need from your phone or computer, it definitely makes sense.
Retailers and brands that can provide a rewarding experience for their shoppers, whether in-store, online or through strategic promotions, are poised to succeed during the final run-up to the holidays and beyond.

Joy is in the air for the holidays! Customers came out in droves for Black Friday and Cyber Monday which wasn't a surprise based on our #journeybacktojoy data.

This Holiday season, consumers are looking to retailers for more than presents. Consumers are in search of a joyful experience that stems from the employees.

I know it seems silly to talk about the holidays in the middle of the Summer... Call me crazy. About this time last year, our data predicted that consumers would shop in-store to celebrate the joy of the holidays. EVERYONE thought I was crazy back then - but it happened!

There's continued interest in our recent insight that rising violence negatively impacts our economy. In customer research that we are doing, we see the same that "not feeling safe" is a reason for NOT visiting retail stores, movie theaters, and restaurants.

Last summer was about "revenge travel" - this summer will be more about trying new things, not because we "want to", but because we "have to" with rising prices. Consumers still want to get out of dodge, yet, this summer season might look different.

Musk recently bought Twitter for an estimated $44 billion. There has been a lot of chatter throughout the past few weeks about Twitter. Everyone has their own take, but when it comes to Elon Musk, one thing is certain. He brings innovation far beyond even what we imagine, no matter what industry it is.

Restaurants across the nation are facing an employee retention problem. When resources are tight, it’s easy to cut corners on tools and training.

"I've been stocking up on the one-pound packages of ground beef... still have some that I paid $2 or $2.50" That's how one Des Moines Iowa Male replied to what he had been stocking up as prices go up.

Have you had "the talk" with your kids - not that one... the one when your adult children want to move back home because of their struggling financial with soaring inflation and rent prices?

How do we find #joy in the midst of 40-year record high inflation? As prices continue to surge across the board, consumers have had to cut back on discretionary spending. 60% of Americans even say that they are driving less due to high gas prices.

Let's talk perception. You know that old adage, "perception is reality?" Could Americans' perception of the economy outweigh reality?

Demand for joyful experiences is still strong, yet consumers are having to make tough choices about how to spend their hard earned money.

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