This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. The most recent restaurant earnings season saw stark bifurcation between consumer segments that are still spending liberally, and those that have pulled back on discretionary expenditures. At the Restaurant Finance and Development Conference in Las Vegas last month, experts and restaurant executives said they expected this divide of the industry into winners an ...

Core Insights - Procter & Gamble (P&G) exceeded Wall Street expectations for first-quarter results, driven by strong demand for beauty and hair-care products despite economic uncertainty and higher prices [1] - The company halved its annual tariff cost estimate to approximately $400 million after tax due to Canada lifting retaliatory duties on U.S. goods, leading to a 3% increase in P&G's shares [1] Financial Performance - P&G reported core earnings per share of $1.99, surpassing estimates by 9 cents, supported by a strategy of introducing improved products at higher prices [6] - The company experienced a 50-basis-point decline in operating margins year-over-year, attributed to higher commodity costs and measures to cater to value-conscious consumers [5] Consumer Behavior - There is a bifurcation in consumer behavior, with financially stable shoppers opting for larger pack sizes while lower-income consumers are purchasing smaller packs for essential items [4] - The overall consumer environment is described as "not great, but stable," with a slight slowdown in U.S. consumption across P&G's categories [5] Pricing Strategy - P&G has raised prices in the U.S. to mitigate tariff impacts while lowering prices in Canada following the cancellation of retaliatory tariffs [3] - The company is facing increased discounting from competitors in the U.S. and Europe, particularly in fabric-care and baby-care products, prompting a focus on offering more affordable options [4]