“Support Your Local Retailer” Effort Grows

A small campaign to help local retailers has apparently turned into a national effort that’s gaining steam. The 3/50 project urges shoppers to spend $50 every month at three local businesses in order to help keep them alive and thriving. If those with jobs did so, projections say nearly $43 million in revenue would be generated locally, nationwide. According to RetailWire.com, “The project is offering small businesses free flyers, window banners, counter signs and window clings, help with web sites and links to support the cause.” For more... 

Opinion: “Shopper Marketing” Can Boost Sales

UK blogger “Dr. Retail” has posted some interesting thoughts on how selling to the “shopper” and not the “consumer” can result in improved sales no matter what your business. “In times of change, when shoppers will be thinking harder about every item they put in their basket, such understanding is more critical than ever,” James Haggas writes. Listing ten ways retailers can increase satisfaction and sales, Haggas offers some timely tips everyone can benefit from. To see his complete list of ideas, click HERE.  Read More →

Paradigm Shift: Shoppers Waiting ‘Til Payday

In a new habit seen by some as the way things will be going forward, consumer-products makers say shoppers are now waiting until payday before making purchases, forcing retailers to re-think their current marketing plans. According to The Wall Street Journal, “The so-called ‘paycheck cycle’—where shoppers make purchases in tandem with salary checks or government payouts and then pull back on spending as they run out—became more prevalent at the height of the recession. But many consumers are stubbornly sticking to that buying pattern... 

Small Businesses Fear Expiring Tax Cuts

Tax cuts that went into effect under former President George W. Bush are set to expire at the end of this year. That could be bad news for small business owners, the Wall Street Journal reports. “Because most small firms are structured so that they pay individual rather than corporate income taxes, some would be caught by an increase in personal tax rates,” the Journal says. The current administration is proposing extending the cuts with some changes,. But it might be too little to have a positive effect on small businesses. To see how the... 

Some Good News: Back-to-School Shopping Lists Getting Longer

For parents doing back-to-school shopping this year, retailers would be wise to add numerous, unexpected items to the list of available offerings. According to a published report, beleaguered school districts are asking parents to send their kids to school with garbage bags, plastic cutlery and even toilet paper. DrugStoreNews.com reports “reductions in funding for school districts across the country because of lower tax revenues and spending cuts have forced many school districts to add a host of unexpected items to Junior’s must-have list... 

Finding: For Shoppers, Price Tops Brand Loyalty in 2010

A new survey just released by Shop.com indicates that consumers are still shopping more by price than brands this year. A significant two-thirds of retailers who responded to the query claimed their shoppers were “price-sensitive” and were on the lookout for deals. Only 24% of those asked said their shoppers went for brands over price. “We are in a unique position to be in contact with so many top retailers spanning such a wide selection of categories — giving us a very complete picture of shoppers’ spending habits,” Mondy Beller, Senior...