Retail Growth

It was reported that December’s consumer confidence level of 60 was something to be positive about, but how is this increase actually affecting shopping habits? According to a report on Bloomberg.com, “Sales at U.S. retailers increased in January by the most in four months.” In fact, the Commerce Department confirmed there was a 0.4 percent gain in retail receipts, less than the projected 0.8 but an increase nonetheless, compared to the 0.1 percent advance in December. All in all, the economy seems to be turning around, and much in the favor... 

Shopping Trends

The holidays may have passed, but they 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, found two important trends going into the new year: women’s shopping habits and smartphone shopping capabilities. Women and Mobile Continue to Lead Trends The study affirms that women openly admitted to spending less on gifts this past holiday season,... 

Youth Favor Brick and Mortars

The days of typewriters, encyclopedias and good old fashioned letter writing have been replaced by PCs and laptops, search engines and email, making digital a way of life. And while today’s college bound students and recent graduates swear by the Internet as a resource for research, gaming and socializing, one thing is for certain: it is not their preferred source for shopping. According to a recent survey of 310 respondents, primarily female consumers between 18 and 25, more than 68 percent indicated that they prefer to shop in stores rather... 

Indies Fill Vacancies

Over the years, malls and shopping centers have been historically filled by brand name retailers, until recently, as many locations battle with the harsh reality of decreased foot traffic, expensive leases and possible bankruptcy in the wake of the recession. In turn, property and leasing managers have been faced with the challenge to fill vacant shops abandoned by their usual tenants, forcing them to renegotiate leases, whether in cost or terms, and entertain the thought of some unconventional tenants. As Greg Maloney, president and CEO of Jones... 

Retailer Lead Recovery

The start of a new year is full of hopeful forecasts, and for 2012 the retail industry is already projecting positive results. While expected to be lower than 2011’s 4.7 percent increase in sales, the NRF is still predicting sales growth of 3.4 percent. The U.S. GDP is also estimated to rise 2.1 to 2.4 percent. NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay, explains, “Our 2012 forecast is a vote of confidence in the retail industry and our ability to succeed even in a challenging economy. Retailers have played a key role in driving growth, but to continue... 

Lending Confidence Grows

At the start of 2008, obtaining or extending a line of credit with a bank, or even getting a small business loan, was a painful process. But through planning and determination, small businesses have adapted over the past four years to become more profitable, and in banking terms, lower risk loan profiles. According to the Thomson Reuters’ PayNet Small Business Lending Index, “Lending jumped by 18 percent between November 2010 and November 2011, a figure that puts small business financing at its highest level since February 2008, when the downturn... 

Walmart Proves Layaways May Help Retailers Bounce Back

With money and spending the root of much household tension over the past few years, many retailers have tried numerous customer-friendly promotions to get a part of the shopping budget. Among these promotions are integrated marketing campaigns across all available channels, paid shipping expenses, and this past holiday season favorite, layaway programs. Many big box retailers and chain stores have implemented layaway programs to help those consumers fretting over additional debt and worrying about maxing out their credit cards. This is a good way... 

Customer Satisfaction Retail Priority

While any retailer’s ultimate goal is to sell, there are other strategic initiatives that need to be set and met first in order to attain a result of profitability. Retailers are well advised to perform a thorough evaluation of their business and its success in past years as they refocus their top priorities for a new selling year. “Though customers are always a company’s top priority, customer satisfaction will get a huge facelift this year,” says  NRF President and CEO, Matthew Shay, after seeing the results of the Benchmarks for 2011,... 

Retail Receipts Show Increase in January

It was reported that December’s consumer confidence level of 60 was something to be positive about. But the index wasn’t all that saw an increase, as a monthly survey conducted by the Conference Board revealed that more shoppers also believed business conditions were good, with 16.6 percent responding positively, compared with November’s 13.9 percent. How is this increase in consumer confidence actually affecting shopping habits? According to a report on Bloomberg.com, “Sales at U.S. retailers probably increased in January by the most in... 

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... 

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