Consumers are still waiting to get into peak holiday shopping mode, despite early Black Friday promotions CHICAGO, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Holiday Shopping Trends Altered by Deal Distraction on Heels of Election Disruption, Reports Circana Consumers are still waiting to get into peak holiday shopping mode, despite early Black Friday promotions CHICAGO, November 21, 2024 - Retail distraction materialized in discretionary spending the week before the U.S. presidential election and remained in the week ending November 9, 2024, resulting in two consecutive weeks of 9% revenue declines. These early November declines marked the weakest general merchandise sales performance in the last 52 weeks and spanned almost the full list of industries tracked, according to Circana TM, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Prior to this disruption, discretionary general merchandise performance in October had remained consistent with recent performance. "Now that some of the election uncertainty has passed, consumers can focus on holiday shopping, but that comes with another set of distractions,” said Marshal Cohen, chief retail industry advisor for Circana . "While pent-up demand will help to fuel some post-election rebound in the coming weeks, consumers now face the distraction of early and endless promotions that will dilute their focus and alter the pace of holiday shopping.” Despite overall negative discretionary performance, promotional activity lifted some of the distraction fog for prestige beauty the week ending November 9, 2024. Promotion-driven growth signals that consumers are willing to shop when presented with deals. As revealed in Circana's annual Holiday Purchase Intentions study, consumers identified Black Friday as the time when they thought they would get the best deals this holiday shopping season. But, despite the early introduction of the Black Friday deals consumers have been waiting for, general merchandise unit demand during the week ending November 16, 2024 remains lackluster at 3% below last year's results, with a 4% decline in sales revenue. Circana notes that while there will be some similarities to last year, this holiday shopping season will look and feel different. The differences will relate to the pace of consumers' response to deals and what's behind their response. Some will act on early deals for fear that the item they want won't be available if they wait. Others will be committed to waiting as long as possible for the best deal. The unique deal and value mindset of today's consumer poses implications for this holiday season's outcome and how it is measured. "The competition for the consumer's attention keeps expanding. Toys now compete with beauty, tangible gifts compete with experiences, and top shopping days compete with other activities, like football, on Black Friday,” added Cohen. "Not only do marketers need to break through the distraction and capture consumers' attention with the best deals, but they also need to convince them of the value they are getting, and then hold to it.” ### About Circana Circana is a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through superior technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data, and deep expertise, we provide clarity that helps almost 7,000 of the world's leading brands and retailers take action and unlock business growth. We understand more about the complete consumer, the complete store, and the complete wallet, so our clients can go beyond the data to apply insights, ignite innovation, meet consumer demand, and outpace the competition. Learn more at www.circana.com . Contact: Janine Marshall [email protected] CONTACT: Janine Marshall Circana 516-625-2356 [email protected]Food and agriculture will not be on the table in any trade deal talks with US, says Business Secretary
The world must respond to Russia’s use of a new ballistic missile, Volodymyr Zelensky said as Vladimir Putin threatened to strike the UK with his hypersonic weapon. The Ukrainian president said the use of a ballistic missile to hit Dnipro was a “clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war” and he warned that Russian president Mr Putin would attack or destabilise other countries unless stopped. Mr Putin said the use of the new weapon was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to Ukraine to be used to strike targets in Russia. “In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry,” Mr Putin said in a televised address. “One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead.” He added: “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” But Mr Zelensky urged world leaders – his “dear partners” – not to be cowed by Mr Putin’s actions otherwise there will be “endless Russian strikes” and “not just against Ukraine”. “A lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable,” the Ukrainian president said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is what Putin is doing. Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. “Response is needed. Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. “Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilisation-not just against Ukraine.” The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putin’s country. Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested the new intermediate-range weapon in an attack on Dnipro in response. The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russia’s existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.” Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “yet another example of Putin’s recklessness”. He said: “Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future.” The missile’s range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British-supplied weapons, which can hit targets around 250-300km away. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Mr Healey said the UK knew Russia had been “preparing for months” to fire a new ballistic missile. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow. “It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,” Mr Healey told MPs. The head of the UK’s armed forces, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss the war on Thursday. Mr Zelensky said: “We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. “Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s current military needs and the continued support from our partners.”Cal Maritime to officially merge with Cal PolyUN human rights watchdog opens investigation into Venezuela presidential election
Mysuru: The social welfare department has introduced an innovative transparency initiative for its hostels and residential schools, implementing a new system to showcase meals served to children, alongside facilities including cleanliness and hygiene. The programme, which commenced in Chamarajanagar district on Saturday as a pilot scheme, enables the public to observe, examine, and provide feedback on the breakfast and lunch served to students in the department's educational facilities. Bidar is another district where this pilot scheme is launched. Chamarajanagar district houses 22 residential schools and 56 hostels operated by the department. Wardens at these facilities are tasked with uploading photographs of daily meals. Parents and the public can access information about the meals at any time. The department has activated an X account and website - https://foodswdgok.in/ - for public access to view daily meal details from the hostels and residential schools. The pilot scheme includes uploading photographs of all three daily meals for public scrutiny. The system aims to ensure transparency regarding student facilities. The initiative provides public access to various aspects, including meal quality, hostel and dormitory hygiene standards, and biometric attendance records. This represents a new approach to demonstrate accountability in govt-run residential schools and hostels regarding meal quality and student welfare. "This website is also monitored by the central office of the department. The department has a system of extending greater responsibility for the welfare and transparency of students through govt institutions," said social welfare minister HC Mahadevappa. "Chamarajanagar and Bidar districts have been selected for a pilot project where the public can view the breakfast and lunch services provided in the hostels and residential quarters of the social welfare department through the website and its X account. Based on the success of these two districts, the aim is to expand this project to the rest of the districts," he said. MSID:: 115868212 413 |