Store employees balk at early Black Friday openings

November 15, 2011

Black Friday is quickly approaching as major retailers kick of the holiday shopping season earlier each year, hoping to be the first stop for Thanksgiving…

Survey: Consumers trying more fashion retailers in 2011

Thirty-two percent tried a new fashion retailer in the past 90 days, up from 14 percent in 2010.

NRF: Consumer spending on discretionary categories boosts October retail sales

November 14, 2011

Led by discretionary purchases, October retail sales saw impressive growth across the board, an encouraging sign for retailers as the holiday season gets…

Survey: Grocery shoppers maintain or increase spending, look for more value, service

Consumer spending on groceries has increased in the past three months, but consumers are expecting more from their stores.

NRF: Return fraud to cost retailers $3.5 billion this holiday season

November 9, 2011

While still a tremendous problem, fewer retailers are expecting return fraud rates to grow this holiday season, thanks in part to enhanced return policies and…

Is expansion on your horizon? Should it be?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

I was listening to a company's CEO/founder relate her company's rise to success, warts and all, when she stated that when they hit $3 million in revenue they…

U.S. households plan to spend an average of $497 this holiday season

November 8, 2011

U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $497 on gifts this holiday season, The Conference Board reports today. Only 7 percent of consumers said…

Young America short-term rewards result in 10 percent sales lift

November 7, 2011

Loyalty programs that are structured like promotions may generate significant short-term sales lift, according to Young America, an incentive marketing firm.

Report: Mobile device retail traffic will more than double this November

Fifteen percent of people logging onto a retailer's Web site are expected to do so through a mobile device.

Study: Annoying music drives customers away

November 3, 2011

Half of Britain's shoppers have left a store because they were annoyed by the music, according to a study by Immedia Plc, a company that develops music…

Data analytics start-up receives $5.8M investment

November 3, 2011

Euclid Elements' data analytics platform is now publically available to retailers and merchants at euclidelements.com.

In the blink of an eye ...

by Jeff Weidauer — Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Vestcom International, Inc.

It's no secret that supermarkets spend literally hundreds of millions of dollars on advertising. They spend money on television, radio, print, email, online…

Why it is time for retailers to quit discounting, start rewarding

Promos mainly appeal to shoppers that only buy on discount without the intent to repurchase.

Social media doesn't suck (but your marketing might)

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Hardly a day goes by that I don't read at least one article that debates the inherent value of social media. The marketing community continues to hunt for the…

Bank of America's pricing woes

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

It seems that every time Bank of America tries to raise fees it gets hammered in the press. Why is this? More importantly, what can you learn from their…

Some stats about Halloween

by Jim Joseph — President, Lippe Taylor

As we prepare for the what some consider to be the 4th biggest holiday in America (after "December", Thanksgiving, and 4th of July), I thought I'd share some…

Retailers getting thrifty

October 30, 2011

Retailers are changing their branding strategies, putting more emphasis on inexpensive products to reach budget-minded shoppers, according to a story in the…

RECOMMERCE doesn't dilute sales, it increases customer understanding

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Trendwatching.com recently released its September Trend Briefing entitled Retail Renaissance. In it, they describe RECOMMERCE as a new retail standard. By…

Survey: Online and mobile sales will make this a positive holiday season for retail

October 27, 2011

The sluggish economy and rising household expenses are casting a chill over consumer confidence, but not enough to bring back the ghost of recessions past…

Michigan retailers expect good holiday sales

October 27, 2011

Nearly nine of 10 Michigan retailers expect a holiday season as good as or better than last year, with more than one in three projecting their sales will rise…