Dollar Stores on Roll

A 2011 survey, conducted by America’s Research Group, reveals that Americans plan to stretch their dollars by shopping at discount chains, rather than at pricier department stores and specialty chains, with 753 out of 1,000 survey participants picking discounters as potential shopping destinations. Britt Beemer, president of America’s Research Group, notes that even low price leaders will be faced with intense competition, saying, “Walmart has a new enemy called the dollar store.” A study by Colliers International reveals that dollar stores... 

Fairness for Indies

In a recent bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed both the Regulatory Accountability Act and the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, a crucial first step toward returning balance to the federal rulemaking process for many small businesses, including independent retailers. “Bringing more accountability to the federal rulemaking process is a top priority for small businesses,” said National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) president and CEO, Dan Danner. A recent Gallup poll found that compliance with government... 

Supply Chain Gaps

Inventory balance is an evolving science, and at times a game of luck. For retailers, decisions on inventory purchases, often made months before items actually hit the shelves, necessitate considering consumer confidence levels and projected spending. Unfortunately, today’s demand forecasting activity continues to be built around a store-centric demand model, without the acknowledgement of multichannel retail. The, “State of Cross-Channel Retail Supply Chain Execution,” benchmark report, conducted by Aberdeen Group Retail and Banking, revealed... 

Consumers More Upbeat

While still working towards an index level of 90, which economists consider the threshold for a stable economy, December’s consumer confidence level of 60 is something to be positive about, as it is the highest since April. The Consumer Confidence index stood at 64.5 in December, a significant increase from 55.2 in November. According to a monthly survey by the Conference Board, the index rating wasn’t all that saw an increase. More shoppers believe that business conditions are good, with 16.6 percent responding positively, compared with November’s... 

Email Marketing

Fast, responsive and measurable email marketing allows for the same targeting as traditional mail, at a significantly lower cost. Email encourages quick response and helps build loyalty and trust in a brand. Buyers also appreciate how it allows them some control over the frequency and content. And for this reason, retailers recently surveyed identified email (18 percent) as one of their top priorities when it comes to allocating marketing funds in 2012. Other top priorities include paid search (30 percent) and SEO (11 percent). Organizing Email... 

Retailer’s Represented Via Video: NRF Seeking Contest Submissions

The NRF’s recently launched, nationwide advocacy “Retail Means Jobs” campaign was planned to include not only grassroots activism and old fashioned lobbying, but more specifically: • The launch of www.RetailMeansJobs.com, breaking down the retail industry’s economic impact by state and congressional district. • Advertising in print, radio and online markets. • Social media campaigning through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. • A viral video campaign to highlight the “Faces of Retail.” That viral video campaign is now organized... 

JOGS Gem and Jewelry Show

“We have people from 36 different countries exhibiting with us,” says Irene Mayzenberg, promoter for the event. “Most of them are jewelry designers and manufacturers, but we also have a number of miners and stonecutters as well. Our show is one of the largest silver shows in all of the U.S., and in terms of variety, we probably have the most.” Internation Pavillions Showcase a World of Gems and Jewelry The international pavilions make the JOGS Gem and Jewelry Show a worldwide attraction. “The Amber Pavilion is the biggest in the United... 

Women Remain Frugal and Mobile Remains Frequent

The holidays, while gone, are far from forgotten as industry leaders and market researchers in the retail sector analyze holiday sales and all related data for a glimpse of 2012’s possible shopping trends. A recent study by The NPD Group, Inc., a leading market research company, had two trends it felt were worthy of mentioning going into the new year: women’s shopping habits and smartphone shopping capabilities. Holiday Input Help Forecast 2012 Retail Trends The frugal mindset of the female consumer, according to multiple studies by NPD, appeared... 

Smaller Retailers Find a Place at Retail’s BIG Show

The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City, a frequented venue by leading buyers and sellers in the wholesale and retail industry, will be hosting Retail’s BIG Show 2012 as one of its first events of the new year. Scheduled to run Jan. 15 to Jan. 18, the four day event offers unparalleled education, collegial networking, and an enormous EXPO Hall full of technologies and solutions. As the event website boasts, “Anyone who is in retail has a home at Retail’s BIG Show,” from the C-Level and Senior Execs who make up 39 percent of... 

NRF Pushes Agenda

National Retail Federation (NRF) President and CEO, Matthew Shay, used his scheduled keynote address at the Valley Industry and Commerce Association’s 23rd Annual Business Forecast Conference to highlight the NRF’s agenda to spur jobs, innovation and consumer value. The speech marks the first in a series of planned events, as the organization’s nationwide advocacy campaign will include grassroots activism, social media and old fashioned lobbying. The NRF plans to become an even more well-known force on Capitol Hill, spending in excess of $10... 

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