Posts Tagged ‘national retail federation’
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 June 7th, 2009
This Father’s Day, U.S. consumers are buying what they know will suit their loved ones, while spending just a little less.
After spending $88.01 on recent graduates and $123.89 on mothers in May, U.S. consumers plan to spend an average of $90.89 on fathers, down from last year’s $94.54. The National Retail Federation also expects total spending to reach $9.4 billion, according to the D.C. trade association’s most recent survey.
Sporting goods, gardening tools and appliances are still mainstay Father’s Day gifts, as consumers anticipate spending more than $500 million in each product category.
But while ties and socks also... Read more »
by Christina Lee on April 20th, 2009
Three days, eight seminars, 15 experts. Current economic times call for cost-efficient marketing, and Shop.org’s 2009 Online Marketing Workshop is armed to teach retailers the latest developments.
Shop.org, the National Retail Federation’s digital division, is offering the best of the basic tactics, by addressing topics like social networking tools, online retail video and multi-channel success.
Speakers include Stephan Spencer, founder and president of natural search engine marketing firm Netconcepts. Bring laptops if possible to his hands-on workshop, “90 Minutes of Pure ROI,” to see firsthand which simple SEO tactics have the most impact.
Spencer’s clients include the Home Shopping Network,... Read more »
by Christina Lee on April 16th, 2009
What this year’s most popular Mother’s Days gifts will have in common: slashed price tags to best fit smaller budgets.
“Discounted digital cameras, books and apparel still show mom how much she is appreciated,” said Tracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation.
For the first time since 2006, U.S. consumers are also choosing discount stores over department stores. However, the specialty store remains their top destination, according a survey conducted by the D.C.-based trade group and BIGresearch.
“No one will forgo celebrating Mother’s Day because of the bad economy, but they will put careful thought into what they buy... Read more »
by Christina Lee on April 2nd, 2009
U.S. consumers anticipate spending an average of $116.59 on Easter merchandise – though $18 less than what they paid last year, still enough reason for retailers to keep promoting their products.
“With Easter falling so late this year, retailers will have plenty of time to entice shoppers with deals on spring apparel and other Easter merchandise,” said Tracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation.
The D.C. trade group expects total spending to reach $12.73 billion, based on a survey conducted with BIGresearch in early March. Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed said that they observe Easter.
While the holiday... Read more »
by Christina Lee on March 15th, 2009
Retail sales climbed upward for the second month in a row in February – a trend that, though expected to be short-lived, is still catching the attention of experts.
The National Retail Federation reported Thursday a 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted increase overall, excluding that of automobiles, gas stations and restaurants. This observation follows a 1.4 percent increase in January, according to a revised report.
“This is quite startling… a big change,” said Ian Shepherdson of High Frequency Economics to the Wall Street Journal.
But while economists searched for a reason behind the behavior, they had a hard time finding one.... Read more »
by Christina Lee on March 11th, 2009
Steps taken by retailers to keep inventories lean are showing a bit of progress to accommodate to declining demand, as recent reports of early 2009 wholesale trade reveal.
As retail stores start sourcing their spring and summer merchandise, the National Retail Federation still expects a 5.3 percent rise in March retail container traffic from last month, a total of 1.07 million 20-foot-equivalent units (TEU).
At the same time however, such levels still fall below that of March 2008 by 7.4 percent – a trend that the trade group predicts to observe throughout the first half of 2009.
“This year’s numbers are... Read more »
by Christina Lee on December 22nd, 2008
Recent consumer behavior studies revealed that last-minute shoppers may impact holiday season sales more than ever this year.
As of Dec. 16, while the average consumer completed 47.1 percent of their shopping – down 52.6 percent from last year – over 41 million people had not even started, according to the National Retail Federation.
Most of these consumers will be looking for apparel, while 40.8 percent will shop for books, CDs, movies and video games. They ranked discounter, department and specialty stores as their three most popular shopping destinations for the rest of their holiday shopping.
Last-minute shoppers are also... Read more »
by Christina Lee on December 12th, 2008
A collective analysis of studies released this week paint a revealing, evocative portrait of the nation’s economic environment. As prices drop, spending drops even further, as an opaque cloud of consumer pessimism remains hovering over the nation. But below, amongst all of the downward activity, researchers are searching for that cloud’s silver lining.
On the Ground Below
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Retail Federation, and Census Bureau released reports indicating that wholesalers and retailers are still adjusting to the economic climate, as price indexes continued to fall:
Retail container traffic fell in November for the 16th month in a... Read more »
by Christina Lee on December 3rd, 2008
Back in October, more than 44 percent of consumers said they planned to purchase holiday gifts online, according to a National Retail Federation survey. After all, the Internet provides convenience without crowds, not to mention a great number of gifting possibilities.
But so many options for consumers could bring too much competition for small business owners – that is, unless they properly prepare their Web site for the holiday season. Not only must they provide a reason to shop, but they must also promote that reason extensively.
Small business owners should first create a list a keywords that will lead... Read more »