As we navigate the midpoint of the decade, the "average consumer" has become a relic of the past. In 2026, economic developers are facing a bifurcated market: high-income households are seeking premium, experience-based retail, while a significant portion of the workforce is pivoting toward value-focused essentials due to persistent cost-of-living pressures. Dive into trends shaping consumers and their engagement today across businesses including return to office, consumer migration, retail and restaurant insights and more to gain a better understanding of consumer needs of the future. 

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Speaker:

Elizabeth Lafontaine
Director of Research at Placer.ai

Elizabeth Lafontaine is a Director of Research at Placer.ai. Backed by a decade of retail experience, she uncovers emerging trends in consumer behavior to help retailers and brands tap into new insights and create winning strategies in the ever-evolving world of commerce. She most recently served as Chief Retail Analyst at EnsembleIQ, a B2B media, intelligence and events firm, where she helped to develop new thought leadership focused offerings and served as a presenter and author.