65% of Americans and Canadians Play Mobile Games (01/19/2021)

According to the latest report from the NPD Group, and in collaboration with mobile app analytics firm Sensor Tower, COVID-19 restrictions and lockdowns presented a boon to the Mobile Gaming industry in the United States and Canada. Consumers of all ages found themselves investing more of their time on games of various genres, out of which 3 generated the most revenues in 2020. 

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/65-of-americans-and-canadians-play-mobile-games/ 

Toys and Games Bring Fun, Entertainment, Education, Exercise and Stress Relief to the UK in a Challenging 2020 (01/13/2021)

While recurring lockdowns this past year have the bane of many industries’ successes, the toy industry in the UK still managed to perpetuate its position as the largest toy market in Europe and fourth largest globally. The highest category growth, games and puzzles, turned adults to kidults. And when you mix childhood with adulthood, you’re upping both the quality and the price. 

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/toys-and-games-bring-fun--entertainment--education---exercise-and-stress-relief-to-the-uk-in-a-challenging-2020/ 

Over the Past Five Years, U.S. Consumers Added 25 Between-Meal Snacking Occasions Per Capita (01/13/2021)

Following NPD’s Eating Patterns in America’s report, we learned that consumption of snack foods at meals increased from 21% of eatings in 2010 to 26% in 2020. Although snacks consumption was already on the rise, the pandemic fueled the rise noticeably. Needless to say, the opportunities for food and snacks marketers are cramming the table.

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/over-the-past-five-years-us-consumers-added-25-between-meal-snacking-occasions-per-capita/ 

Emerging Tech Categories See Strong Growth As Consumers Seek New Forms of Entertainment (01/11/2021)

According to NPD’s Retail Tracking Service, sales of consumer drones and VR/AR devices in the U.S skyrocketed during the pandemic. Was it the increased number of sales alone that resulted in 2020’s huge profits? Not quite. It was a potent mix of soaring consumer demand, sales, and an increase in average sales prices. 

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/emerging-tech-categories-see-strong-growth-as-consumers-seek-new-forms-of-entertainment/ 

Historic U.S. Consumer Technology Sales in 2020 Set the Stage for Long-Term Industry Expansion (01/08/2021)

“The pandemic has renewed recognition of the critical value of technology to consumers, so while sales comparisons may stagnate, demand on an overall basis for consumer electronics will be higher for the next two years than it would have been without the events of 2020”, said Stephen Baker, vice president and industry advisor for The NPD Group. Seems like the light at the end of the tunnel is a big shiny screen. 

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/npd-forecast-historic-us-consumer-technology-sales-in-2020-set-the-stage-for-long-term-industry-expansion/ 

With Hope for Recovery in 2021, The U.S. Restaurant Industry Ends 2020 Making Its Way Out of the Steep Declines Caused by Pandemic (01/07/2021)

Some industries are less blessed than others. The U.S restaurant industry was left vexed and swelling as the new year began. While consumer transactions declined at major restaurant chains, they were quick to offer more off-premises services in hopes of recovering. On the other hand, some were not fortunate enough to survive, despite their best efforts.

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/with-hope-for-recovery-in-2021-the-us-restaurant-industry-ends-2020-making-its-way-out-of-the-steep-declines-caused-by-pandemic/ 

After a Slow Start, U.S. Print Book Sales Rose 8.2 Percent in 2020, The NPD Group Says (01/07/2021)

Here’s a growing appetite that is fulfilling to both providers and consumers. According to Kristen McLean, books industry analyst for NPD, several factors came into play during the pandemic to boost the sales of print books, scoring the U.S its biggest win in sales across every major supercategory since 2010.

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/after-a-slow-start--u-s--print-book-sales-rose-8-2-percent-in-2020--the-npd-group-says/ 

Pull up to the counter: Britain’s drive-thru spend up 45% September to November 2020 (01/04/2021)

According to footfall analysis from NPD’s SnapMyEats data, there were 121 million visits to Britain’s 2,000 quick service restaurants (QSR) that offer drive-thru in those three months in 2020, a 14% increase on the same period last year. Spend was up 45% to £723m over this time frame, with consumers tending to place larger-than-average orders at the drive-thru window. 

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2021/pull-up-to-the-counter-drive-thru-spend-up-45-percent-september-to-november-2020/ 

NPD Announces Fifth Annual Consumer Electronics Industry Performance Awards (01/04/2021)

The NPD Group’s technology division welcomed the new year with a bright note, announcing the winners of its annual Consumer Electronics Industry Performance Awards. Winners from North America, Canada, and Mexico were consumer electronics brands that achieved top increases in market share. Check out the list of brands that landed an award in the link below.

https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/news/press-releases/2020/npd-announces-fifth-annual-consumer-electronics-industry-performance-awards/