Posts Tagged ‘retail trends’
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 February 5th, 2009
Recent studies from the National Retail Federation have announced the return of the conscious consumer, after it adjusted 2008 forecasts in September due to the down economy.
The trade group forecasts for 2009 an overall 0.5 percent decline in retail sales, according to a statement released last Tuesday.
“Most of the consumer behavior we saw in 2008 will continue well into this year,” said Rosalind Wells, chief economist.
By that, the trade group means that retailers may see a 2.5 percent decline during the first half. They may then experience an overall 3.6 percent rise in the fourth quarter, arriving... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on September 8th, 2008
Las Vegas was recently host to one of the largest trade shows in the wholesale industry. The MAGIC Marketplace is full of the latest clothing and apparel from top designers and brand names. Fashion shows, booths and exhibits are in rich supply and it’s the perfect place to source products for either a brick and mortar or online retail store.
While all the booths received some attention, it was clear that there were a few that everyone clamored to get a glimpse of. Street and urban wear were the belles (okay, booths) of the ball and the following list highlights... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on February 19th, 2008
Are you?
Mob shopping, also known as team buying, is a consumer buying tactic originating in China, that involves gathering a group of people together in-store to drive a bargain with the seller. There are many websites and forums (TeamBuy.com.cn ) that facilitate the time and place. The popularity of these events is mostly due to the cultural ideology that no price is set in stone and that bargaining is a way of life in China. And consumers are seeing results. While many sellers do not particularly like this new tactic, some are embracing it and even setting up events... Read more »
by Rebecca Button on February 13th, 2008
There’s a tradition in my family that for any occasion that warrants a card, especially birthdays, the meaner the card is the better. We often try to out do the other contenders and the result is often big laughs. The more insulting the card, the more you’re loved–we have an understanding.
We’re not the only people who share this fun, albeit unusual, tradition and with Valentine’s Day upon us, it appears that businesses are beginning to cash in on this quirky trend. For example, American Greetings Corp. has an entire category of "Anti-Valentine’s Day" cards.
And they’re not the only... Read more »
by Larry Slusser on December 4th, 2007
You have your business concept, the product you are selling, suppliers are lined up and you know how you are heading to market. All you have to do now is sell right? While this is the approach of many small and large companies this vision can be a bit short sighted and lead to difficult times down the road. To be competitive and ensure your company is well positioned in the market, you have to know what products your customers want and how that demand changes.
Without ongoing market research and product sourcing, your business will begin to decline. No... Read more »
by Veronica Stone on August 7th, 2007
Social Retailing
Here’s a new term that retailers will soon learn! Bloomingdale’s is trying to reach out to teens and young adults, so in its flagship store in New York City, it offered an interactive sales-floor mirror that let shoppers view themselves in outfits as well as comments – and images of alternate garments – sent to the mirror by their online friends!
If the shopper liked the look of the dress suggested by a friend, she can touch the mirror to make the image of the dress appear life-size, and then stand in front of it which will allow... Read more »
by Sean Lee on August 5th, 2007
As a long time retailer I have watched the big-box, category killer retailers grow by leaps and bounds to dominate all markets. They have experienced double digit sales increases year over year and crushed their weaker competition through efficient marketing and distribution systems. In doing this they have validated the capitalist system of market efficiency. With their success came a reduction in the choice of products available as they gave you the best price, on a particular function, while deserting the entire fringe product. Thus they were able to gain great return per square foot of selling area. In the... Read more »
by Veronica Stone on June 5th, 2007
Pacific Rim Liquidated
THE thirty-year-old gift and home decor company Pacific Rim which went into bankruptcy earlier this year completed the last step of their sad tale, complete liquidation. This once extremely popular gift company succumbed to the pressures of the changing marketplace and unable to sustain, filed for bankruptcy protection with the hopes of finding an adventurous suitor to continue its legacy.
UNFORTUNATELY there was no knight in shining armor and early last month the company went into liquidation mode. Handled by the national liquidation company, Great American Group, lots both large and small hit the auction block in... Read more »