Objective:
As consumers continue to balance economic pressures with evolving spending priorities, understanding the broader retail landscape has never been more important. Join Circana's thought leadership team for a discussion of the macroeconomic and consumer trends shaping retail in 2026 and what these insights may signal for the upcoming holiday season.
Who Should Attend:
All Toy Association members are invited to attend. The webinar is specifically recommended for executives responsible for revenue and planning decisions, including CEOs, CFOs, and leaders across sales, marketing, merchandising, and strategy. Particularly valuable for teams preparing for holiday forecasts, assortments, and promotional strategies.
What You Will Learn:
In a rapidly evolving marketplace, understanding where consumers are headed requires fact-based insights and a clear view of the forces shaping demand. Circana's thought leadership team will examine:
- Consumer spending priorities and value-seeking behaviors
- The impact of inflation and labor market dynamics on retail performance
- Key macroeconomic indicators shaping the 2026 holiday outlook
Marshal Cohen, Circana's chief retail advisor, will share his perspective on the broader retail landscape, highlighting emerging opportunities, potential challenges, and key indicators to watch as the holiday season approaches.
Kristen McLean, Circana’s U.S. toy and entertainment industry expert, will provide a focused look at the toy market, including category performance, consumer purchasing trends, and drivers expected to shape holiday toy demand.
From understanding the broader consumer mindset to identifying opportunities for growth, attendees will leave with actionable insights to help navigate the remainder of 2026 and the critical holiday selling season.
Moderator:
Anne McConnell, senior director, market research & educational initiatives, The Toy Association
Presenters:
Marshal Cohen, chief retail advisor, Circana
Marshal Cohen is a nationally known expert on consumer behavior and the retail industry. He has followed retail trends for more than 30 years at Circana (formerly The NPD Group) and as the head of leading fashion and apparel manufacturers and major retailers.
As part of his work at Circana, Cohen leads many top firms in long-range and strategic planning sessions. He often utilizes motivational presentations to help launch corporate goals and kick-off meetings. Cohen is the author of two books, “Why Customers Do What They Do” (2006) and “Buy Me! How to Get Customers to Choose Your Products and Ignore the Rest” (2010).
In addition to his work at Circana, Cohen is a member of several boards of directors and was appointed to the Cotton Board and American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA). He is also a guest professor at North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles, where he introduces students and faculty to techniques for analyzing and applying data. Cohen has been a guest lecturer at the Wharton School of Business, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and Savannah College of Art and Design. He has also twice been named to the Footwear News Power 100 list.
Cohen is a regular contributor to many major media outlets. He is frequently quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and Women’s Wear Daily. Additionally, he appears on various television news programs, including “Today,” “Good Morning America,” and “CBS Sunday Morning,” and he has been a regular guest on Bloomberg TV and Radio. He is also a sought-after speaker at key industry events such as MAGIC, The Fairchild CEO Summits, The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) Annual Convention, and The American Apparel and Footwear Association’s (AAFA) Annual Executive Summit. Cohen was the only industry expert who appeared in the documentary “God Save my Shoes,” produced by Caid Productions.
Cohen has held a variety of positions analyzing and interpreting Circana’s uniquely combined consumer and point-of-sale tracking services for the apparel, footwear, accessories, and sports industries. His career began in the training program at Bloomingdale’s, where he worked his way up to merchandise manager. From there, he became president of WilliWear and subsequently president of Stanley Blacker. He was also founder, owner, and president of Motive Marketing Group.
Kristen McLean, vice president and industry advisor, Circana
Kristen McLean is the leader of the Circana Entertainment Knowledge Group, a thought leadership collective within the global entertainment vertical. It covers toys, books, video games, juvenile products, and media entertainment.
McLean is also the industry advisor for U.S. toys and books and is a widely recognized expert in licensing and cross-entertainment consumer behavior. She works with a range of Circana’s largest manufacturers, retailers, and media clients to uncover key cultural trends. Her expertise, combined with Circana’s global view of more than 20 industries, helps the world’s leading entertainment companies drive strategic decision-making and understand today’s quickly evolving consumer.