Mobile Marketing a Crucial Part to Holiday Shopping

Many independent retailers have come to terms with the fact that consumers flock to the Internet, whether it be via PC or mobile browsing, for product information and purchasing options. But for those smaller businesses holding out on mobile opportunities, the “Back to School” shopping season confirmed the change in consumer shopping trends. A survey commissioned by Deloitte and conducted by an independent research company picked up an increasing trend among parents shopping for this year’s school supplies, in which nearly two-thirds of the... 

Continuous Campaigning to Boost Local and Small Business Awareness

Similarly experiencing food and fuel price increases, and other economic strains, North American neighbors, Canada and America, are promoting two national campaigns to spur the many local economies taking a hit. With the help of the American Independent Business Alliance (AMIBA), on Nov. 19, communities and consumers will be urged to “unchain” for a day, maximizing the impact of their dollars and injecting potentially millions more into the local economy by shopping, dining out and visiting only locally-owned independent businesses. The America... 

Independent Retailers Can Capitalize on Small Business Saturday

American Express and independent retailers are asking American consumers to not only shop, but pledge their allegiance to local small businesses this holiday season. Over the years, Black Friday has become recognized for the flash mobs hunting for bargains and big name brands at big box retailers, while Cyber Monday has become a day for eCommerce giants to celebrate the increased checkouts among their digital shopping carts. Independents, however, have earned a day to showcase their unique merchandise, offer in-store specials and bring together... 

Retailers See Positive Signs in Higher Than Expected October Sales

October retail sales were higher than predicted across the board, a positive sign for retailers heading into the holiday season, the National Retail Federation reports, as sales increased 0.7 percent from September and 4.7 percent over October 2010. Data released today by the U.S. Commerce Department showed total retail sales increased 6.7 percent unadjusted year-over-year. According to the Wall Street Journal, economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires only forecasted a 0.1 percent increase in October. “October retail sales support the assertion... 

Small Businesses and Retailers Still Focused on Recession

The National Bureau of Economic Research declared the Great Recession over in 2009, but is forced to acknowledge the economy’s slow recovery as “the unemployment rate remains stubbornly high and durations of unemployment unprecedentedly long.” And while some U.S. citizens are gaining back a sense of a normal life, many families are still experiencing economic turmoil and in turn, tight budgets. It comes as no surprise that consumers directly affected by the Great Recession, or who know a family member, friend or neighbor still struggling with... 

Retail Continues to Find Its Way on Campus

Recently, NRF Foundation Chairman and CEO of the Container Store, Kip Tindell, encouraged retail entrepreneurs and employers to partner with the NRF Foundation in promoting the retail industry as a top career choice for recent graduates. He implored, “Join me and The Container Store, along with many other world class retailers, in making sure that many, many, many more of the best and brightest students coming out of school choose retail for their career.” Those organizations that joined became what Tindell calls, Retail Careers Employer Partners. The... 

Kiosks Demand Strategic Shoplifting Prevention Planning

Although more compact in size than an in-line store, with less inventory to track and manage, kiosks continue to fall victim to shoplifting by both passers-by and employees. Just within the month of September and these early days of October, police blotters and local headlines have highlighted multiple acts of kiosk shoplifting. Take for instance, the reported $11,000 worth of phones stolen from a cell phone kiosk in the Mall at Rockingham Park in Salem, MA. In fact, multiple T-Mobile kiosks throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire have seen an... 

Jewelry Fashion Trends & Styles

Over the past decade, there have been many changes in the jewelry business, some good for the industry and others to its detriment. The Internet has accelerated the transference of information and made products readily available to retailers looking to fill their shelves and displays fast, and with new products. Yet with the price of gold and silver continuing to increase, retailers have been forced to look for new, more cost effective alternatives; high quality costume and fashion jewelry, as well as unique impulse buys, backed by top quality customer... 

Customers Holding Back on Holiday Shopping

After a not so fantastic beginning to the fall season with back to school shopping sales slow, and students returning to class with last year’s supplies, the holiday season is the last remaining hope for retailers looking to boost their bottom lines. A recent NRF consumer survey reveals that more than 37 percent of shoppers plan to have some holiday shopping completed before Halloween has come and gone, and as a result retailers are happy to oblige in anyway they can to have a part of the estimated $450 billion in holiday spending.  In fact,... 

NRF Lobbying Legislation for More Retail Minded Outcomes

If you can’t beat them, lobby them. That’s the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) plan of action at Capitol Hill as it looks to combat what seems to be the frequent disregard for merchants, reminding legislators of the role retail plays in the current economy. Among the recent legislative disappointments from the Capitol was the Federal Reserve’s decision to set the debit card swipe fee at $0.21 per transaction. The NRF had committed new resources to ensure that retailers had a voice that would be heard during every important public policy... 

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