Relevant, reliable data is critical for decision-making, but often hard to come by or sort through. It’s important for retailers to get to the bottom line as quickly as possible — and we’re debuting a newsletter aiming to make that easier.

Meet The Total, a monthly LinkedIn newsletter providing retailers with insights that reflect not only what’s happening now but also what’s coming next. We’re creating it to help retailers interpret complex data, navigate market challenges, and make smarter decisions. 

The story behind the name

Our concept originates with a direct nod to the most tangible reminder of a retail transaction: the itemized receipt. Whether printed or emailed, receipts include all the important information for retailers and consumers alike. But the information that everybody cares about the most is the very last line: the total amount paid. And so, we have The Total, your bottom line for retail trends.

The Total covers insights across the grocery, fuel, c-store, and restaurant categories. Each month, the newsletter will offer data, trends, and actionable advice from industry experts to help retailers to optimize for growth.

How The Total stands out

With 100,000 retailers in our marketplace, Upside has unparalleled access to billions of retail transactions. Our team is in the unique position to analyze those transactions and share relevant insights with retailers. 

Unlike other industry newsletters, The Total is grounded in proprietary findings from real-world data. Our experts have relevant first-hand industry experience, and future issues will include perspectives from retailers out in the field, as well.

A peek inside the current issue

The newest issue of The Total is live. Here’s a preview of what’s inside:

• Customers still think in pre-pandemic prices... How should restaurant brands respond? 
• What the June price spike can teach us about future fuel shocks
• An hour or less — how real-time rewards shape gas station choice at the last minute
• Are tariffs driving inflation yet? A look at June 2025's CPI

Subscribe here to receive your copy of The Total each month.

Check out our past issues here

2025

Habit hacks, price flashbacks, and decisions made in the final mile

Digital shopping engagement, the "freight recession," and the importance of the next transaction

Digital acquisition, habit formation, and a wishy-washy economy

Supply volatility, inflation concerns, and the price of influence

Cheat days, tight margins, and shifting spend

Predictions for the New Year

2024

Shifting into growth gear, cooling fuel prices, and holiday dining trends

Digital shelf labels, value meal resurgence, and hurricane havoc