Latest news with #SPARGroup
Business Wire
19 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
SPAR Shopper Survey: Consumers Focused on Product Availability, Tariffs and Tech
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A new consumer study conducted by SPAR Group, Inc. reveals that product availability is the single most important factor for shoppers when choosing to shop in-store, with 74% of respondents citing it as their top priority. At the same time, 73% of shoppers identify out-of-stocks as a leading barrier to the in-store experience, underscoring the critical need for retailers to maintain well-stocked shelves. 'The first rule of retail is that empty is always wrong. After decades of investment, inventory in-stock, plan-o-gram compliance and optimal replenishment remains elusive," said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR Group. Share 'The first rule of retail is that empty is always wrong. After decades of investment, inventory in-stock, plan-o-gram compliance and optimal replenishment remains elusive. Retailers and brands pay for data based on point-of-sale transactions as a proxy to monitoring inventory velocity, but this information is too late to make a difference. It's like driving your car looking in the rear-view mirror,' said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR Group. 'This shopper study underscores the impact of distorted inventory – disappointed consumers, lost sales, lower margins. I am encouraged by the trend towards digital shelf innovation, but cautious based on the consumer's plans to navigate tariffs. We need to be bolder as an industry and embrace innovation. Great merchants test and learn.' Technology and Innovation The 2025 SPAR Consumer Survey highlights a growing interest in technology that enhances the in-store experience but also reveals consumer hesitancy toward certain innovations. 71% of shoppers are uncomfortable or unsure with the idea of roaming robots in stores, with women expressing more discomfort than men. Younger shoppers (ages 18-54) are more open to roaming robots than older demographics. 'Digital shelf monitoring is a growing market. Retailers are testing roving robots, stationery cameras and on-shelf moving field cameras. These promise to capture inventory information to improve plan-o-gram compliance, in-stock integrity and velocity data. As ex-retailers, we have sorted through the competitive solutions as a retailer and the winner is obvious. Consumers don't want technology to interfere with the shopping experience. Retailers don't want cameras on sticks every few feet. Moving field gondola-based cameras are the 'best mousetrap' for retailers,' continued Matacunas. Economic Concerns and Shopper Behavior Nearly half of shoppers are very concerned about tariffs, particularly regarding grocery prices. Many expect to seek out more coupons or sales, buy less overall or switch brands. Younger shoppers (ages 18–39) are especially likely to anticipate significant increases in expenses and express higher levels of concern. 'Consumers intend on reducing spend or switching brands as tariffs continue to roll out. The impact of tariffs further exacerbates consumer's frustration with inventory availability. Retailers and brands need to be more proactive investing in process and technology to improve availability and remain competitive,' said Matacunas. Retailer Rankings Walmart continues to lead in in-store experience and app helpfulness, especially among lower-income households. Target remains a distant second, while higher-income shoppers ($90K+) show a preference for Costco. In-Store Shopping, Mobile Apps Remain Essential Four of five shoppers prefer to purchase groceries in-store, driven by the ability to try products, discover new items and plan meals. Loyalty rewards and competitive prices are now equally valued as top benefits of retailer apps. Mobile apps are especially helpful for households earning $100K–$200K, while contactless checkout and buy-online-pickup-in-store options appeal to those in the $40K–$50K range. Other Key Survey Findings Positive In-Store Drivers: Speedy checkout, in-store promotions, self-checkout options and coupons are top contributors to a positive experience. Challenges: Crowds and lack of staff remain significant pain points for shoppers. Shopping Intentions: 61% of respondents expect to shop more in stores over the next six months. Technology Preferences: Half of shoppers say downloadable coupons and self-checkout encourage them to shop in-store. Data Sharing: Most shoppers are willing to share data with retailers, but about one in four now share only specific data for specific reasons, a notable increase from last year. SPAR Group's Commitment SPAR Group continues to support retailers and brands with solutions that address the evolving needs of today's shoppers. By leveraging advanced image capture, on-shelf availability technology and strategic partnerships, SPAR helps ensure products are available, promotions are effective and the in-store experience is seamless. 'As the retail landscape evolves, our mission remains the same: to help retailers and brands keep their customers happy, engaged and coming back,' said Matacunas. 'We're proud to be at the forefront of innovation, delivering the insights and services that drive real results for our partners and the shoppers they serve. If you want to learn more about our unique approach, please don't hesitate to reach out.' Note to Editors: The complete results of the 2025 SPAR Consumer Survey are available HERE, or contact ron@ Methodology During June 2025, SPAR Group fielded a survey through a third-party research firm with more than 1,000 consumers between the ages of 18 and 64. Respondents were screened to be the primary or secondary shopper in their households. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is an innovative services company offering comprehensive merchandising, marketing and distribution solutions to retailers and brands. We provide the resources and analytics that improve brand experiences and transform retail spaces. We offer a unique combination of scale and flexibility with a passion for client results that separates us from the competition. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SPAR Group Announces Relocation of Corporate Headquarters
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., July 29, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGRP) ("SPAR", "SPAR Group" or the "Corporation"), a provider of retail and brand services, is proud to announce the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina. This move places the company in one of the country's fastest growing cities with a vibrant tech sector, business-friendly environment, access to great talent and a highly-connected international airport. "Relocating our headquarters to Charlotte opens up new opportunities for SPAR and the business. This location is central to our clients and major retailers in the southeast such as Walmart, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Lowe's, Kroger and many more, while also providing us access to amazing talent and resources," said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR. "Our new headquarters is located at 110 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, in the heart of the South End of the city providing access for our associates to a vibrant and fast-paced area. We look forward to bringing our clients, business partners and prospects to spend time with us innovating and driving retail and brand performance." The move will be effective October 2025 as the company transitions out of its current location. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is a leading merchandising and marketing services company in North America, providing a broad range of services to retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. With more than 50 years of experience, merchandising across the United States and Canada, an average of 30,000+ store visits a week and long-term relationships with leading manufacturers and retail businesses, we provide specialized capabilities across North America. Our unique combination of scale, merchandising and marketing expertise, combined with our unwavering commitment to excellence, separate us from the competition. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at View source version on Contacts Media Contact: Ronald MargulisRAM Communications908-272-3930ron@ Investor Relations Contact: Sandy MartinThree Part Advisors214-616-2207smartin@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
SPAR Group Announces Relocation of Corporate Headquarters
AUBURN HILLS, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- SPAR Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SGRP) ('SPAR', 'SPAR Group' or the 'Corporation'), a provider of retail and brand services, is proud to announce the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Charlotte, North Carolina. This move places the company in one of the country's fastest growing cities with a vibrant tech sector, business-friendly environment, access to great talent and a highly-connected international airport. 'Relocating our headquarters to Charlotte opens up new opportunities for SPAR and the business,' said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR. Share 'Relocating our headquarters to Charlotte opens up new opportunities for SPAR and the business. This location is central to our clients and major retailers in the southeast such as Walmart, Home Depot, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Lowe's, Kroger and many more, while also providing us access to amazing talent and resources,' said Mike Matacunas, President and CEO of SPAR. 'Our new headquarters is located at 110 East Boulevard, Charlotte, NC, in the heart of the South End of the city providing access for our associates to a vibrant and fast-paced area. We look forward to bringing our clients, business partners and prospects to spend time with us innovating and driving retail and brand performance.' The move will be effective October 2025 as the company transitions out of its current location. About SPAR Group, Inc. SPAR Group is a leading merchandising and marketing services company in North America, providing a broad range of services to retailers, manufacturers, and distributors. With more than 50 years of experience, merchandising across the United States and Canada, an average of 30,000+ store visits a week and long-term relationships with leading manufacturers and retail businesses, we provide specialized capabilities across North America. Our unique combination of scale, merchandising and marketing expertise, combined with our unwavering commitment to excellence, separate us from the competition. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SPAR Group (JSE:SPP) shareholders have endured a 30% loss from investing in the stock five years ago
Ideally, your overall portfolio should beat the market average. But even the best stock picker will only win with some selections. So we wouldn't blame long term The SPAR Group Ltd (JSE:SPP) shareholders for doubting their decision to hold, with the stock down 37% over a half decade. So let's have a look and see if the longer term performance of the company has been in line with the underlying business' progress. This technology could replace computers: discover the 20 stocks are working to make quantum computing a reality. While markets are a powerful pricing mechanism, share prices reflect investor sentiment, not just underlying business performance. One way to examine how market sentiment has changed over time is to look at the interaction between a company's share price and its earnings per share (EPS). During the five years over which the share price declined, SPAR Group's earnings per share (EPS) dropped by 3.9% each year. This reduction in EPS is less than the 9% annual reduction in the share price. This implies that the market was previously too optimistic about the stock. The graphic below depicts how EPS has changed over time (unveil the exact values by clicking on the image). We know that SPAR Group has improved its bottom line lately, but is it going to grow revenue? You could check out this free report showing analyst revenue forecasts. We'd be remiss not to mention the difference between SPAR Group's total shareholder return (TSR) and its share price return. The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. SPAR Group's TSR of was a loss of 30% for the 5 years. That wasn't as bad as its share price return, because it has paid dividends. While the broader market gained around 22% in the last year, SPAR Group shareholders lost 10%. However, keep in mind that even the best stocks will sometimes underperform the market over a twelve month period. Unfortunately, last year's performance may indicate unresolved challenges, given that it was worse than the annualised loss of 5% over the last half decade. We realise that Baron Rothschild has said investors should "buy when there is blood on the streets", but we caution that investors should first be sure they are buying a high quality business. It's always interesting to track share price performance over the longer term. But to understand SPAR Group better, we need to consider many other factors. Take risks, for example - SPAR Group has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of. If you are like me, then you will not want to miss this free list of undervalued small caps that insiders are buying. Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on South African exchanges. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SPAR Group, Inc. (SGRP) Outpaces Stock Market Gains: What You Should Know
SPAR Group, Inc. (SGRP) closed the most recent trading day at $0.95, moving +2.08% from the previous trading session. The stock's performance was ahead of the S&P 500's daily gain of 0.61%. Meanwhile, the Dow gained 0.49%, and the Nasdaq, a tech-heavy index, added 0.95%. Heading into today, shares of the company had lost 11.37% over the past month, lagging the Business Services sector's loss of 2.75% and the S&P 500's gain of 3.85%. The investment community will be paying close attention to the earnings performance of SPAR Group, Inc. in its upcoming release. Regarding the entire year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates forecast earnings of $0.12 per share and revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of 0% and 0%, respectively, compared to the previous year. Investors should also take note of any recent adjustments to analyst estimates for SPAR Group, Inc. Recent revisions tend to reflect the latest near-term business trends. With this in mind, we can consider positive estimate revisions a sign of optimism about the business outlook. Our research reveals that these estimate alterations are directly linked with the stock price performance in the near future. To take advantage of this, we've established the Zacks Rank, an exclusive model that considers these estimated changes and delivers an operational rating system. The Zacks Rank system, spanning from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell), boasts an impressive track record of outperformance, audited externally, with #1 ranked stocks yielding an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. SPAR Group, Inc. currently has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). In the context of valuation, SPAR Group, Inc. is at present trading with a Forward P/E ratio of 7.76. This valuation marks a discount compared to its industry average Forward P/E of 20.12. The Business - Services industry is part of the Business Services sector. With its current Zacks Industry Rank of 46, this industry ranks in the top 19% of all industries, numbering over 250. The strength of our individual industry groups is measured by the Zacks Industry Rank, which is calculated based on the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within these groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1. Ensure to harness to stay updated with all these stock-shifting metrics, among others, in the next trading sessions. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report SPAR Group, Inc. (SGRP) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
