Thomas J. Weinandy
@tomweinandy.bsky.social
PhD Research Economist at Upside | Retail Speaker (Gas, Restaurant, Grocery) | Former Data Scientist (Python, Azure, Power BI)
National #gas prices reached new lows in November, levels not seen since before the invasion of Ukraine. Some headlines highlighted how sign prices fell below $3, but our data at Upside shows that is not out of the ordinary.
www.upside.com/business/ret...
www.upside.com/business/ret...
December 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
National #gas prices reached new lows in November, levels not seen since before the invasion of Ukraine. Some headlines highlighted how sign prices fell below $3, but our data at Upside shows that is not out of the ordinary.
www.upside.com/business/ret...
www.upside.com/business/ret...
Higher-income consumers are propping up the #economy right now.
Survey of 3k consumers: households $75k+ are spending more; under $75k are cutting back.
Analysis of 10B transactions: per-store spend up <1% — below inflation.
Full report: www.upside.com/reports/the-... #grocery #restaurant #fuel
Survey of 3k consumers: households $75k+ are spending more; under $75k are cutting back.
Analysis of 10B transactions: per-store spend up <1% — below inflation.
Full report: www.upside.com/reports/the-... #grocery #restaurant #fuel
December 10, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Higher-income consumers are propping up the #economy right now.
Survey of 3k consumers: households $75k+ are spending more; under $75k are cutting back.
Analysis of 10B transactions: per-store spend up <1% — below inflation.
Full report: www.upside.com/reports/the-... #grocery #restaurant #fuel
Survey of 3k consumers: households $75k+ are spending more; under $75k are cutting back.
Analysis of 10B transactions: per-store spend up <1% — below inflation.
Full report: www.upside.com/reports/the-... #grocery #restaurant #fuel
Fact 1: Retailers also hate inflation.
Fact 2: There are few things as satisfying as a good ribbon chart.
www.upside.com/business/ret... #EconSky
Fact 2: There are few things as satisfying as a good ribbon chart.
www.upside.com/business/ret... #EconSky
November 20, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Fact 1: Retailers also hate inflation.
Fact 2: There are few things as satisfying as a good ribbon chart.
www.upside.com/business/ret... #EconSky
Fact 2: There are few things as satisfying as a good ribbon chart.
www.upside.com/business/ret... #EconSky
Loyalty cards may still be on the rise, but #gas stations are seeing fewer swipes from their branded credit and debit cards — 40% declines in the last four years alone. This is just the latest evidence that customer #loyalty is changing for retailers of all types.
Full story: lnkd.in/g88H_ixE
Full story: lnkd.in/g88H_ixE
November 13, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Loyalty cards may still be on the rise, but #gas stations are seeing fewer swipes from their branded credit and debit cards — 40% declines in the last four years alone. This is just the latest evidence that customer #loyalty is changing for retailers of all types.
Full story: lnkd.in/g88H_ixE
Full story: lnkd.in/g88H_ixE
New October #fuel data is in & I'm seeing a concerning decline in economic activity in our nation's capital. Given the gov't shutdown, volume sales at the avg gas station in Washington DC were down 5.8% month-over-month relative to stations in MD+VA. Full analysis here www.upside.com/business/ret...
Tracking retail fuel trends: October 2025 | Upside
Lower prices brought a boost during October, but not everyone was celebrating. We analyzed how the ongoing government shutdown impacted We analyzed the impact of the government shutdown on Washington,...
www.upside.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:45 PM
New October #fuel data is in & I'm seeing a concerning decline in economic activity in our nation's capital. Given the gov't shutdown, volume sales at the avg gas station in Washington DC were down 5.8% month-over-month relative to stations in MD+VA. Full analysis here www.upside.com/business/ret...
It isn't the youngest consumers who are the most digital — it's the busiest ones. Millennials lead online #grocery because they have more money, larger families, and less time.
More digital shopping habits here: www.upside.com/business/ret...
More digital shopping habits here: www.upside.com/business/ret...
October 22, 2025 at 7:22 PM
It isn't the youngest consumers who are the most digital — it's the busiest ones. Millennials lead online #grocery because they have more money, larger families, and less time.
More digital shopping habits here: www.upside.com/business/ret...
More digital shopping habits here: www.upside.com/business/ret...
Ever wondered why #gas prices go down in the fall? It has more to due with regulation than travel demand. Full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Tracking retail fuel trends: September 2025 | Upside
This month's recap of the month in fuel focuses on two expected developments: a downturn in demand and a cheaper blend of gas.
www.upside.com
October 9, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Ever wondered why #gas prices go down in the fall? It has more to due with regulation than travel demand. Full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
When you think of August #fuel disruptions, you expect hurricanes.
But this year, the surprise came from the Midwest, where a severe thunderstorm flooded Indiana’s largest refinery — driving regional rack prices up 9 cents and pushing Labor Day travel costs higher.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
But this year, the surprise came from the Midwest, where a severe thunderstorm flooded Indiana’s largest refinery — driving regional rack prices up 9 cents and pushing Labor Day travel costs higher.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Tracking retail fuel trends: August 2025 | Upside
It’s peak hurricane season, but the region most affected by inclement weather in August was a surprise. Get the latest from Upside's monthly fuel trend update.
www.upside.com
September 10, 2025 at 5:48 PM
When you think of August #fuel disruptions, you expect hurricanes.
But this year, the surprise came from the Midwest, where a severe thunderstorm flooded Indiana’s largest refinery — driving regional rack prices up 9 cents and pushing Labor Day travel costs higher.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
But this year, the surprise came from the Midwest, where a severe thunderstorm flooded Indiana’s largest refinery — driving regional rack prices up 9 cents and pushing Labor Day travel costs higher.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
It must have been fate. My interview with Steve Holtz on the Convenience Weekly podcast came out this morning where we discussed the latest with #tariffs & #convenience store trends. Then a Federal Court declared TODAY that most of those tariffs are illegal.
open.spotify.com/episode/1O9H...
open.spotify.com/episode/1O9H...
Convenience Weekly Ep.29: Applegreen Tells Global Partners to Back Off. Is Distribution About to Hit a Speed Bump? Ownership Changes at Dr Pepper … Again!
open.spotify.com
August 30, 2025 at 12:29 AM
It must have been fate. My interview with Steve Holtz on the Convenience Weekly podcast came out this morning where we discussed the latest with #tariffs & #convenience store trends. Then a Federal Court declared TODAY that most of those tariffs are illegal.
open.spotify.com/episode/1O9H...
open.spotify.com/episode/1O9H...
August 25, 2025 at 4:40 AM
Since we are unfortunately still in a world of elevated inflation, it's important to track volume sales even more than dollar sales. Here's the latest volume trends we see inside #convenience stores.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Tracking retail fuel trends: July 2025 | Upside
In this month's update on fuel industry metrics, we take a deep dive into c-store transactions and why some customers might be pulling back.
www.upside.com
August 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Since we are unfortunately still in a world of elevated inflation, it's important to track volume sales even more than dollar sales. Here's the latest volume trends we see inside #convenience stores.
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
CPI data just dropped! Are tariffs impacting inflation yet?
So far the answer is "only a little". There are isolated areas where tariff-affected items are rising in prices like household furnishings (+1.0% MoM), apparel (+0.4% MoM), and coffee (+2.2%).
So far the answer is "only a little". There are isolated areas where tariff-affected items are rising in prices like household furnishings (+1.0% MoM), apparel (+0.4% MoM), and coffee (+2.2%).
July 15, 2025 at 1:15 PM
CPI data just dropped! Are tariffs impacting inflation yet?
So far the answer is "only a little". There are isolated areas where tariff-affected items are rising in prices like household furnishings (+1.0% MoM), apparel (+0.4% MoM), and coffee (+2.2%).
So far the answer is "only a little". There are isolated areas where tariff-affected items are rising in prices like household furnishings (+1.0% MoM), apparel (+0.4% MoM), and coffee (+2.2%).
Events like the 12-day war in the Middle East can shock oil prices but #gas stations actually absorb much of the short-term volatility, smoothing out price changes for consumers.
Read the story in my June 2025 update to Fuel Trends by Upside: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Read the story in my June 2025 update to Fuel Trends by Upside: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
July 10, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Events like the 12-day war in the Middle East can shock oil prices but #gas stations actually absorb much of the short-term volatility, smoothing out price changes for consumers.
Read the story in my June 2025 update to Fuel Trends by Upside: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Read the story in my June 2025 update to Fuel Trends by Upside: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
I am grateful for the chance to speak at #GroceryTech2025 about the value to customer retention to retailers. Thanks to Progressive Grocer to put on the engaging event!
June 13, 2025 at 2:02 PM
I am grateful for the chance to speak at #GroceryTech2025 about the value to customer retention to retailers. Thanks to Progressive Grocer to put on the engaging event!
To the other random runner who gave me a fist bump while we passed each other today, thank you
June 4, 2025 at 12:54 AM
To the other random runner who gave me a fist bump while we passed each other today, thank you
Shout out to @axios.com for adding context to my research on how DC customers are sacrificing #restaurant quality for affordability!
Full story here: www.axios.com/local/washin...
Full story here: www.axios.com/local/washin...
June 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Shout out to @axios.com for adding context to my research on how DC customers are sacrificing #restaurant quality for affordability!
Full story here: www.axios.com/local/washin...
Full story here: www.axios.com/local/washin...
A famous 2001 study shows that increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%.
I'm exited update that research at GroceryTech 2025 on the relationship between retention and profitability in the era of digital convenience, loyalty apps, and personalized offers.
#grocery
I'm exited update that research at GroceryTech 2025 on the relationship between retention and profitability in the era of digital convenience, loyalty apps, and personalized offers.
#grocery
May 28, 2025 at 2:22 AM
A famous 2001 study shows that increasing customer retention rates by 5% increases profits by 25% to 95%.
I'm exited update that research at GroceryTech 2025 on the relationship between retention and profitability in the era of digital convenience, loyalty apps, and personalized offers.
#grocery
I'm exited update that research at GroceryTech 2025 on the relationship between retention and profitability in the era of digital convenience, loyalty apps, and personalized offers.
#grocery
What was behind April's fuel trends? It all came down to cheap #CrudeOil (but maybe not for the reasons you think).
Check out the full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Check out the full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Tracking retail fuel trends: April 2025 | Upside
Warmer weather powered substantial increases in demand, but changes in the crude oil market brought unexpected impacts. Get your full recap on the month of April in fuel here.
www.upside.com
May 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM
What was behind April's fuel trends? It all came down to cheap #CrudeOil (but maybe not for the reasons you think).
Check out the full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
Check out the full story here: www.upside.com/blog/fuel-tr...
I’m usually the one listening to podcasts—not talking on them. But I joined a recent episode with Steve Holtz to dig into how tariffs are shaping retail + consumer behavior. Worth a listen! 🎧👇
open.spotify.com/episode/0iqU...
open.spotify.com/episode/0iqU...
Convenience Weekly: Ep.12: 7-Eleven/Circle K Nondisclosure Agreement, Oreo’s New Flavor & Tariffs, Tariffs, Tariffs!
open.spotify.com
May 2, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I’m usually the one listening to podcasts—not talking on them. But I joined a recent episode with Steve Holtz to dig into how tariffs are shaping retail + consumer behavior. Worth a listen! 🎧👇
open.spotify.com/episode/0iqU...
open.spotify.com/episode/0iqU...
I told an audience of convenience store owners and managers my economic word of the year is "uncertainty". See other highlights of the talk, applicable to all retailers, here: www.convenience.org/Media/Daily/...
NACS SOI Summit: How Can Retailers Prepare for an Uncertain Economy?
Research presented at the Summit suggested retailers diversify revenue streams.
www.convenience.org
April 21, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I told an audience of convenience store owners and managers my economic word of the year is "uncertainty". See other highlights of the talk, applicable to all retailers, here: www.convenience.org/Media/Daily/...
Are you buying #eggs for Easter? 🥚
Shoutout to @cnbc.com for quoting me in their recent article about the ongoing egg saga. Very timely given the upcoming holiday.
www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/h...
Shoutout to @cnbc.com for quoting me in their recent article about the ongoing egg saga. Very timely given the upcoming holiday.
www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/h...
How much eggs cost every year since 1980—in one chart
Egg prices are the highest they've been in 45 years, with no relief in sight.
www.cnbc.com
April 13, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Are you buying #eggs for Easter? 🥚
Shoutout to @cnbc.com for quoting me in their recent article about the ongoing egg saga. Very timely given the upcoming holiday.
www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/h...
Shoutout to @cnbc.com for quoting me in their recent article about the ongoing egg saga. Very timely given the upcoming holiday.
www.cnbc.com/2025/03/25/h...
I’m grateful for NACS inviting me to speak about the outlook for the US economy at their 2025 State of the Industry Summit. I’m continuously impressed by the nimbleness of the convenience industry.
April 11, 2025 at 3:57 AM
I’m grateful for NACS inviting me to speak about the outlook for the US economy at their 2025 State of the Industry Summit. I’m continuously impressed by the nimbleness of the convenience industry.
I caught the latest Slate Money podcast, and I am happy to tell you @emilypeck.bsky.social that egg sales do spike right before Easter 🐰
Source: I pulled this from 100+ grocery stores, as reported here www.linkedin.com/pulse/march-...
Source: I pulled this from 100+ grocery stores, as reported here www.linkedin.com/pulse/march-...
April 1, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I caught the latest Slate Money podcast, and I am happy to tell you @emilypeck.bsky.social that egg sales do spike right before Easter 🐰
Source: I pulled this from 100+ grocery stores, as reported here www.linkedin.com/pulse/march-...
Source: I pulled this from 100+ grocery stores, as reported here www.linkedin.com/pulse/march-...