Forecast Roundup: 4 Looks at 2026

What is the coming year likely to hold for retailers, restaurants and their customers? Four recent surveys offer potential answers to that question. Below are links to those efforts, along with a key takeaway from each:

Chapman University’s Economic Forecast: “Job growth is expected to slow, but the labor market remains stable: While the job market is expected to remain generally healthy, Chapman’s forecast suggests hiring may slow in 2026. Most people looking for work should still be able to find jobs, but wage growth may moderate, and some industries could see less expansion.”

Four Consumer Predictions for 2026 from Acosta Group: “Hyper-personalization and relevance will revolutionize go-to-market strategies for brands, retail and foodservice.”

Restaurant Outlook 2026 from Consumer Edge: “Value dining outperforms hype as Chili’s, Texas Roadhouse and Raising Cane’s show momentum.”

Economic improvement in the United States will continue in 2026, say purchasing and supply management executives in the December 2025 ISM Supply Chain Planning Forecast. “Revenues are expected to increase in 16 of 18 services-sector industries [including retail]  … and capital expenditures are expected to increase by 2.5 % in the services sector (after a 3.9 % increase in 2025).”