Father’s Day Spending as Consumers Seek More Meaningful Ways to Celebrate
Executive Summary Based on a survey of 7,914 consumers conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics in cooperation with the National Retail Federation, Father’s Day remains one of America’s most celebrated holidays, with spending and participation continuing to grow. 76.8% of Americans plan to celebrate Father’s Day in 2026, making it the nation’s sixth most popular […]
Taking SRC Research Global: Sanchary Pal Presents at ICA 2026
The Medill Spiegel Research Center’s work on streaming and audience behavior took the international stage this month as Sanchary Pal, Research Associate, presented “Watching Together: Uncovering the Value of Co-viewing in Streaming” at the International Communication Association’s 2026 conference in Cape Town. The research was co-authored with Larry DeGaris, Executive Director, Medill Spiegel Research Center, […]
Insights From ARF CSI: Decoding the Emotions of Shopping to Win in Retail
Larry DeGaris, executive director of Spiegel Research Center, and Elizabeth Harris, Chief Strategy Officer at Arc Worldwide, presented “Arc Shopper Sentiment Study: Decoding the Emotions of Shopping to Win in Retail” at the Advertising Research Foundation Commerce and Shopper Intelligence, examining the connection between emotion and consumer decisions in the current retail landscape. The session […]
How Experience-Driven Gifting is Shaping Mother’s Day Retail
Executive Summary Mother’s Day continues to stand out as one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the U.S., with strong participation and growing economic impact. While overall celebration rates have remained relatively steady, spending patterns and consumer behavior are shifting in notable ways, revealing a move toward more meaningful, experience-driven gifting and a broader […]
Feature in JAR: Extending Media Context Effects-Bidirectional Emotional Carryover Using Galvanic Skin Response
Drawing on biometric and self-reported data from viewers in four countries, this study examines the bidirectional relationship between media context and advertising, offering insights into audience emotion, ad effectiveness and the unique role of sports programming. Read the full article in the Journal of Advertising Research. Extending Media Context Effects: Bidirectional Emotional Carryover Using Galvanic […]
Retail Trends, Spending, and Easter Celebratory Patterns
Executive Summary Easter falls between the Super Bowl and Mother’s Day in terms of popularity among American celebrations. Over the past eight years, there has been a slight decrease in the observance of Easter, along with a minor dip in associated spending. Factors such as the presence of children, age, and income strongly influence individuals’ […]
Green, Gatherings, and Grocery Spend: St. Patrick’s Day Trends
Executive Summary St. Patrick’s Day holds its place as a widely celebrated cultural moment in the U.S., with participation and spending showing steady consistency. The latest Prosper Insights & Analytics survey, conducted in February 2026, offers a snapshot of how Americans plan to mark the occasion this year. An estimated 60.4% of adults plan to […]
Food Quality Dominates Restaurant Choice and Spending
Executive Summary Dining out remains a near-universal behavior among U.S. adults, with restaurant usage, spending, and preferences shaped by household composition, income, and perceptions of food quality and convenience. Findings from the November 2025 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey (n=8,000) show that more than nine in ten adults have eaten at a restaurant in the […]
Valentine’s Day Beyond Cards and Candy
Executive Summary Valentine’s Day remains a meaningful but evolving consumer holiday, shaped by long-term declines in participation alongside steady and increasingly targeted spending. Findings from the January 2026 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey conducted in cooperation with the National Retail Federation (n=7,791) show that just over half of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day, […]
The Business of Watching the Super Bowl
Executive Summary The Super Bowl continues to operate as a major cultural and consumer event, with participation levels rivaling traditional U.S. holidays and spending patterns that extend well beyond the game itself. Findings from the January 2026 Prosper Insights & Analytics survey conducted in cooperation with the National Retail Federation (n=7,991) show that Super Bowl […]