Circana’s ‘Eat Play Love’ Report Shows Consumer Indulgence Despite Conservative Daily Spending

On June 12, 2025, Circana released its latest report on consumer spending trends, titled “Eat Play Love,” revealing how European consumers are turning to comfort despite ongoing economic pressures, climate concerns, and global conflicts that continually shape daily life.

According to the report, despite exercising frugality with everyday purchases, European consumers are currently prioritizing food retail, foodservice, prestige beauty, and toy purchases, thus indicating a shift towards “self-soothing consumption” and “mini moments of bliss.”

The report leverages Circana's extensive coverage of European consumer goods across hundreds of...

Circana Announces Leadership Transition: Stuart Aitken Named President and CEO, Succeeding Kirk Perry

Circana, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today announced that Stuart Aitken has been named President and CEO, effective January 1, 2025. He will succeed Kirk Perry, who has decided to retire from his role as President and CEO at Circana and will continue to serve as a member of the Circana Board of Directors. Aitken will also join the Board as a director.

Aitken joins Circana from Kroger, where he has served as Chief Merchant and Marketing...

Circana Reports Nearly 80% of Thanksgiving Meals Are Homemade, as Consumers Embrace Traditions

Circana™, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today released its annual Thanksgiving Outlook, providing key insights into projected consumer purchasing behaviors and attitudes for 2024. This year’s analysis highlights the enduring popularity of Thanksgiving traditions, providing actionable insights to help manufacturers, retailers, and marketers develop merchandising and promotional strategies to engage consumers and drive growth throughout the Thanksgiving season.

The week prior to and the week of Thanksgiving are essential for driving sales, though some...

Foodservice and Retail Merge as Boundaries Blur in a Transforming Market, Reports Circana

Circana, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behaviour, reports key shifts in the foodservice industry, revealing that traditional boundaries between foodservice and retail are becoming increasingly blurred.

The research, based on Circana’s comprehensive CREST data, reveals that European consumers spent €888 billion on food and beverages in the past year, with 37% of that dedicated to ‘immediate consumption’ options across both retail and foodservice channels.

The immediate consumption category includes food and drinks purchased for immediate use...

Consumer Emphasis on Value and Need-Based Spending Continues in August,Reports Circana

Final wave of back-to-school spending is delayed, but there are opportunities to disrupt evolving consumer behavior and future shopping seasons

Traditional retail milestones, like the back-to-school shopping season, are being reshaped by changing consumer behavior, according to Circana™, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. During the four weeks ending August 31, 2024, total U.S. retail sales revenue across the combined view of discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods (CPG) declined 1% when compared...

South Korean Restaurant Locations in the U.S. Grow 10% Over the Past Year

Circana™, a leading advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior, today released new research highlighting South Korea’s rising influence on the U.S. foodservice industry. Korean restaurants, foods, beverages, and flavors are experiencing rapid growth, with the number of Korean restaurant locations increasing by 10% in the past year alone. The surge has been fueled by expansion across both full-service restaurant (FSR) and quick-service restaurant (QSR) segments...