The 2026 State of Spend: Navigating the New Normal of Value-Centric Shopping

With major growth comes major challenges.

The era of "crisis-mode" shopping has evolved into a stable "new normal." Today’s consumers have neutralized inflation by solidifying defensive behaviors, such as strategic store switching and a massive shift toward private labels. As routine becomes the new loyalty, brands must understand the mechanics of the "habitual cart" to effectively defend their market share. 

Our 2026 State of Spend report provides a deep dive into these shifting behavioral patterns, offering predictive insights across key categories like Food, Beverage, Health & Beauty, and Home. Learn how to break through established routines and leverage the evolving role of promotions to win over today’s "insulated" consumer.
Inside the report:

  • The 74/26 Rule: Why 74% of the cart is anchored by habit and how to capture the remaining 26%.
  • The Reimagined Grocery List: Why a 7% decline in pre-trip planning has moved the battle for the brand into the aisle. 
  • Private Label Trust Parity: Why 61% of shoppers now trust store brands as much as national names. 
  • The "Justifier" Effect: How strategic promotions give consumers "permission" to purchase premium products. 

 

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