In this episode of “At Your Convenience,” CSP Conference Content Manager Rachel Gignac talks to Arjun Chakravarti, managing partner at Cogknition Analytics, Chicago.
Chakravarti discusses critical factors affecting consumer behavior and strategies for convenience-store retailers navigating uncertainty in today’s rapidly changing economic landscape.
In this podcast, they examine the current economic environment, consumer spending patterns, labor market dynamics and the implications of tariffs on convenience retailers. Chakravarti will report the latest economic factors at CSP's Outlook Leadership conference, which takes place Aug. 4-6 at Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
One key takeaway is that while the economy appears uncertain, there has been a notable increase in consumer spending, particularly among wealthier households. This spending boost is not uniform across all sectors, highlighting the need for retailers to identify their target demographics and tailor their offerings accordingly.

