Consumer Insights Center

Consumer Insights Center

Consumers have more choices than ever before, creating an increasingly complex landscape for consumer-facing companies to navigate. Multiple factors such as ongoing inflation and uncertainty in the economy have prompted many consumers to reevaluate their priorities and shift their approach to essential and discretionary spending. Therefore, a deep understanding of the consumer is critical to companies’ success in today's and tomorrow’s dynamic environments.

For L.E.K.’s Consumer sector, the consumer is our North Star. We are passionate about understanding consumers’ preferences, economics, needs and desires, and the choices they make. We use these insights to help our clients achieve winning and differentiated market positions via a deeper connection with the consumer.

Our Consumer Insights Center provides consumer-facing companies with a one-stop shop for all things consumer. Browse our collection of Special Reports, Executive Insights, case studies and more in which we share our experience and related perspectives on the most notable trends, regulations and other issues. Learn how L.E.K. Consulting can help consumer-facing companies make the wisest — and most wisely timed — decisions about their offerings.
 

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women shopping for clothes

2025 US Footwear and Apparel Brand Heat Index

The 2025 edition of the Footwear and Apparel Brand Heat Index tracks the popularity of brands in women’s and men’s footwear and apparel across three generations — Gen Z, millennials and Gen X — and highlights which brands are gaining “heat” and which are losing it, offering insights into shifting consumer preferences across age groups in today’s competitive retail landscape.

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women shopping for clothes
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group of people in a workout class

State of the Fitness Market: 2025 Edition

The 2025 fitness industry outlook points to a market regaining strength as consumer habits evolve. Memberships climbed to 77 million in 2024, with visits rising 8%, driven in part by younger generations embracing strength training. As a result, gyms are shifting their offerings to include more free weights, recovery zones and wellness services. Both value and premium operators are attracting strong investor interest.

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group of people in a workout class
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parents and daughter using digital devices

The Alpha Influence: How the Youngest, Most Connected Generation Is Steering Parental

L.E.K.’s 2025 report explores how Gen Alpha — born between 2010 and 2025 — is reshaping household spending. Raised in a digital-first world, these kids are influencing decisions in food, entertainment, personal care and more. Their millennial parents often amplify these preferences, prioritizing values like wellness, quality and sustainability in purchasing.

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parents and daughter using digital devices
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girl feeding a chicken

Beyond Dogs and Cats: Exploring Growth in Other Backyard Animals and Wildlife

As 2025 unfolds, interest in backyard animals and wildlife is gaining momentum, driven by shifting lifestyles and outdoor engagement. With more people embracing suburban and rural living, activities like raising chickens and feeding wild birds are growing rapidly. This niche is outpacing the broader pet market, prompting retailers to expand their offerings to meet rising consumer demand.

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girl feeding a chicken

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