August brought positive momentum for retail, with improvements across key metrics and a clear picture of how shoppers are behaving as we head into fall.
Here are five highlights you need to know as we kick off retail’s biggest season:
1. Revenue Growth With Comp Discounts to LY
Overall revenue was up 9% in August. Labor Day weekend itself remained flat to last year. A healthy AOV means that discounting levels have not increased to LY.
2. Home Outpaces Apparel; Shoes & Accessories Rebound
Home continues to be the strongest category, though Apparel also saw healthy growth. The standout recovery story came from Shoes & Accessories, particularly in the comfort footwear space, which is fueling renewed momentum.
3. Established Brands Gain an Edge
A big shift from last year: Established Brands are growing faster than Emerging Brands. Larger customer files and bigger marketing budgets are likely giving them an advantage in an uncertain economy.
4. Older Consumers Are Spending Again
After more than a year of softness, the Older Consumer segment is showing strength. This signals a shift in demand and a potential opportunity for brands to re-engage this valuable audience.
5. Marketing Channels See Broad Recovery
After sluggish results earlier this year, most channels — including Email, SMS, and Organic — were up compared to last year in August. Social was the strongest performer, while Affiliates remained the only channel lagging.
What This Means for You
THE BIG TAKEAWAY: Consumer demand is holding steady, and opportunities exist across categories, audiences, and channels.
With the holidays approaching, now is the time to lean into your strongest categories, diversify channel strategy, and engage both lapsed and loyal customers.
Planning your holiday campaigns now? Connect with our team HERE to make sure your brand is positioned to capture demand during the busiest season of the year. For more insights follow us on LinkedIn HERE.
