Author Archive
by Christina Lee on September 9th, 2009
With today’s economic instability, retail industries have managed to stay afloat by recovering best-selling products of their past and catering them to present customers. Such a strategy is all part of a retail mantra becoming more prevalent in modern marketplaces: stick with what works, the tried and true. Take note from a few industries who are adapting this for themselves:
Video Games
Though experts deemed the video game industry recession-proof in 2008, it finally began to show some weakness in 2009, as profits fell 14 percent in July from the same month last year. In efforts to counter this fall,... Read more »
by Christina Lee on August 26th, 2009
Who, what, when, where, why and how.
Journalists report those Five Ws (plus one H) of an event, then they end up reporting the full story. Small business owners answer those questions of a new venture, and they get the full story as well.
But for months, both are still trying to explore the full potential of Twitter. As of last week, this is how the story has developed so far, from a business perspective:
Who… is a Twanker and Twidiot? Both are people who use Twitter for impractical reasons, according to the Influential Marketing Blog – a Twanker, purely... Read more »
by Christina Lee on August 12th, 2009
One of the biggest reasons to attend trade shows this year: the competition may be there.
More specifically, this trade show season’s business owners-turned-exhibitors want to “maintain continued, consistent visibility,” according to a report by Tradeshow Week.
“Not being at the show leaves people to wonder if we are still in business,” said one polled exhibitor. Another said that his attendance “maintain[ed] our company profile of strength and consistency, so when the market strengthens we are the first choice.”
About 62 percent of the surveyed exhibitors said they plan the same number of trade shows or more. They figure while... Read more »
by Christina Lee on August 12th, 2009
Considering the networking and promotional possibilities offered, trade shows have always been well-recommended to small business owners.
But with economic recovery still in progress, all of the individual expenses that come with attendance appear to add up to one costly marketing strategy. Still, with each expense also comes their one ways to save, while still increasing your return on investment (ROI).
Your Display
First, the cost of your trade show display should not empty your wallet. If you plan to attend just one trade show this year, look into renting a display instead of purchasing. But if you attend to... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 15th, 2009
As various companies and one recent study shows, China may soon rise to become one of the top markets for cosmetics and toiletries in the world.
RNCOS, an India-based market research firm, estimated that China’s cosmetics and toiletry market rose to an estimated $16.9 billion in 2008, as the country’s GDP soared. With such growth in consideration, the firm expects the market’s value to surpass $28 billion by 2012.
Color cosmetics and men’s fragrances have all taken off in China over the past year. Increased spending, driven by more disposable income and awareness of such products, have in turn called... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 15th, 2009
The Bureau of Labor Statistics found that wholesale prices rose higher in June than predicted by economists, to the highest level seen in nearly two years.
After incremental increases in April and May, wholesale prices – as measured by the producer price index – rose by 1.8 percent, or twice as high as expected. Just as seen in November 2007, when wholesale prices rose by 3.2 percent, rising energy costs made up most of this increase. Gasoline prices alone rose by 18.5 percent last month.
But, without the consideration of food and energy costs, wholesale prices would have increased by... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 8th, 2009
This back-to-school season, most U.S. consumers plan to spend as much or more on sporting and outdoor products as they did last year, Retailing Today reports.
For such products – including footwear, apparel and equipment – about 53 percent of parents with kids age 18 plan to spend the same amount, as 28 percent anticipate spending more.
The study, conducted by SportsOneSource, found that parents with a household income under $40,000 were most likely to spend “a lot less” this year. But it also found this group to be most likely to spend “a lot more” than any other household... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 7th, 2009
Urban Outfitters’ latest efforts to target its 18 to 30-year-old hipster of a customer have gone more mobile.
The apparel, accessories and home furnishings retailer teamed up with Acuity Mobile last broaden its presence through mobile web as well as texting.
“By providing this customer experience, we hope to communicate with our customers in a targeted and relevant way,” said Dmitri Siegel, managing director of Urban Outfitters Direct, in a statement.
About 88 percent of U.S. consumers use mobile phones with text capabilities, according to the Mobile Marketing Association. But of those consumers, less than 24 percent opt to receive... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 1st, 2009
Following a studio release and launch of a nationwide tour, Beyonce has found yet another way to celebrate her newfound alter ego: a junior apparel label.
With a debut in time for back-to-school shopping, Sasha Fierce for Dereon offers a more wearable version of what designer Tierry Mugler designed for the pop star’s concerts. Against a mainly black backdrop of fake leather and body suits are bold details and accessories, such as mixed silver and gold chains and denim rips lined with mesh and lace.
In comparison, parent label Dereon showcases billowy materials, vivid colors and exotic prints, with input... Read more »
by Christina Lee on July 1st, 2009
The latest initiative from the Small Business Administration and President Obama’s stimulus plan has experts wondering whether changes meant to help small businesses refinance will be beneficial at this time.
The administration’s Certified Development Company (504) lending program traditionally provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for assets like real estate, heavy machinery or other improvements. But as of last Wednesday, it now permanently allows small business owners to refinance such debt, as long as it is used for expansion purposes.
“This is one more piece of the Recovery Act that is going to have a direct impact and put more money in... Read more »