Katie Thomas

Consumer advocate, leading the @Kearney Consumer Institute | fueled by adventures, coffee, old fashioneds | proud Michigan Wolverine | opinions are my own

[Kearney @kearney]

❄️ Is the unusually warmer weather this time of year shaking up the status quo in seasonal #retail? @katiethomaskci shared with @Marketplace that it’s time for the industry to have a good long think about what it sells and when... Read it here: https://t.co/9oA759QQSp

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

I have an inherent personal conflict where I love a white T but I also love to spill food on my shirt. Should I just start carrying one of those baby handkerchief bibs or…

[Kearney @kearney]

"Often brands feel pressure to innovate on multiple business fronts... leaving more than half of consumers feeling that innovation is done to benefit the company, not them.”

Read @katiethomaskci's insights on our Q2 2024 brief in this @MMRetailers piece: https://t.co/QO7ETmutCj

[Schwab Network @SchwabNetwork]

Evaluating the state of the consumer 🛍️

In the wake of athleisure earnings, @katiethomaskci & @smulpuru take a look at the group and assess the consumer trends in the current market climate with @NPetallides.

👟 $DBI $NKE $LULU https://t.co/VJlU2MdiWg

[Blue By 90 @bluebyninety]

This is too soon.

[Santa Ono @SantaJOno]

Bet 〽️

[Sarris Candies @Sarris_Candies]

Proud to be the sweetest Yinzer delicacy in town. 🥨🍫

[Schwab Network @SchwabNetwork]

For the third month in a row, consumer spending is growing faster than income growth 📊

@katiethomaskci and @EddieWouldGrow evaluate consumer sentiment and spending habits with @NPetallides, breaking down the trends across demographics: https://t.co/To2nobSoty

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

Dear apparel industry,
Can we take a break from all pants being cut in "way high" and "super way high" rises?
Love,
A short-torso'ed gal

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

Are we reaching the "point of no return(s)"?
Whether shorter return windows or added fees, brands are making it harder for consumers to return. While stricter policies may not be consumer-friendly, the added costs to retailers are very real.
Read more:
https://t.co/NxtLNPFpYu

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

Fangirling hard over the @BoF Brand Magic Index, which examines if consumers see a brand the same way the brand sees itself.

Mall retailers, are you listening?

https://t.co/ODuv7a5NNm

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

Just took a decongestant for a cold last week and complained that it didn't seem to be working... 🙃

[Brian Sullivan @SullyCNBC]

bonkers story. Popular decongestant is challenged by scientists in 2007 as being ineffective

FDA apparently says “hey, let’s keep it on the market”

Tens of millions take it.

16 years later FDA votes 16-0 that it really, truly doesn’t work https://t.co/ymIUO9tkp3

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

If brands want short return windows on their end, they need to spend up refund timing for consumers equivalently.

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

Brands continue to tighten their return policies, whether it's the length of the window or adding restock fees. However, when I've returned online purchases recently, I'm told it will be up to 14 business days from receipt of the return before I'm refunded.

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

@SwardJeff @Abercrombie It's already well on its way, but I'd say we are seeing a renaissance from @Coach as well

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

PDF your resumes when applying for jobs, people. Please. They are so much easier to read that way.

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

It may not always be intuitive (at least it wasn't to me), but the impact droughts to floods to natural disasters can have on our food prices continues to grow - as crops are routinely ruined by extreme situations.
https://t.co/Z8OJo5ig4D

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

According to @earnestinsights , Gen Z is outspending on fitness and home. As they gain financial capital, they seem to be investing in health - from (obviously) physical fitness to nesting and comfort at home.
https://t.co/GVhszS8EZi

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

I have complex feelings over the gig economy. In theory, it provides the contractors a flexible work schedule, doing a task consumers want.
But from grocery to food delivery, it seems to be causing a lot of drama over tips, substitutions, and more.

https://t.co/rDamT3iuwj

[Katie Thomas @katiethomaskci]

While an innocuous post to some, others find "girl dinner" posts to be concerning nutritionally. Others call out that in many cultures, this is a common, easy dinner.
Health (and gender) aside, it's a good reminder of consumers' differences.
https://t.co/TRtlUr5CjL