Why brands grow with Fetch, even when spending shrinks

Nobody’s sure where prices are headed, but we all know they’re already too high. Consumers feel the squeeze, and these days, every trip to the store feels like a small negotiation – what stays, what goes and what feels worth it.

This is when brands get tested. When consumers start scrutinizing what’s on the receipt, brands need to give them a reason to keep choosing their products. 

When pressure builds, Fetch helps brands hold their ground. We help brands stay visible, feel accessible and deliver value without relying on discounts. And we have the performance data to prove it. Brands who remain active on Fetch during inflationary periods both sustain and grow category share. Those who pull back lose ground. 

Here’s what that looks like in action.

Through inflation, Fetch-active brands gain share

We analyzed category performance from 2023 to 2024 and found a clear pattern. Brands that stayed active on Fetch grew, while competitors who pulled back lost share. 

We saw this in two very different types of categories:

• In fixed-need categories like diapers, consumers don’t stop buying – but they might switch brands. Fetch helps brands protect equity and shift consumer preference, winning buyers who may consider trading down. One brand who leaned in with Fetch during a recent inflationary spike grew +12.4% in category share. A competitor who pulled back during the same period lost 12.7%.
• In flexible, discretionary categories like frozen vegetables, the stakes are different. Consumers can cut back or skip out on a purchase altogether. For these products, Fetch can drive demand. By showing up with timely rewards and value, Fetch helps brands stay in the cart. One brand who leaned in with Fetch grew +23.4%, while the pullback brand dropped 18.6%.

Whether a product is essential or optional, high-frequency or impulse, the outcome is the same: Fetch helps brands stay chosen. 

Why rewards work when price pressure is high

When consumers are forced to be more selective, they choose the brands that feel worth it. For brands, that doesn’t have to mean cutting prices. It means showing up with meaningful value.

Unlike traditional promotions that chase deals and erode margin, Fetch delivers value without changing the price on the shelf. We do it through Fetch Points – dynamic, personalized rewards that shift behavior, reinforce brand equity and build a deeper emotional connection with consumers. 

Better still, rewards don’t just influence what goes into the cart – they influence how consumers feel about the brand once it’s there. This emotional halo builds preference, repeat interaction and long-term value.

And while traditional media spends weeks trying to build awareness. Fetch can drive results within minutes of launching a campaign. With Fetch, brands can: 

• Target high-intent buyers using verified purchase behavior
• Re-engage consumers who’ve traded down to private label
• Move units at scale – nationally or at a specific retail banner
• Prove performance with closed-loop measurement

In an economic climate where both consumers and brands are under pressure, rewards are a better ad. They drive outcomes, reinforce value and build stronger connections – all without sacrificing brand integrity.

Stay visible, stay valuable and activate with Fetch

Consumers are still spending money – they’re just more selective about what goes into the shopping cart. But in times like these, brands need more than media to drive consumer behavior. They need targeted activations to drive measurable outcomes. 

Inflation may change how people shop, but with Fetch, it doesn’t have to change who they choose.