Jeff Doucette says inflation is significantly impacting back-to-school shopping for families, with 73% of consumers reporting harder hits this year, leading to budget-conscious decisions like reusing items, seeking value at stores like Walmart and Dollarama, and prioritizing cost over sustainability.
An early Easter, following Valentines, is impacting sales and merchandising in stores. At the same time, some retailers are innovating and looking to make things more experiential.