2012 officially marked the transformation of mobile devices from mere browsing tools to purchasing portals, confirms the latest data by eMarketer. Nearly 11% of total United States retail ecommerce sales last year were made on mobile devices. We take a look at the rising adoption of mobile purchasing among shoppers—a…
Shoppers are increasingly relying on local search results, and larger retailers are noticing. According to a recent survey by Balihoo, nearly half of the larger brands plan to increase their local marketing efforts in 2013. Below, we take a look at why it’s time for small businesses to follow the…
After a Civic Economics study revealed that the United States independent retailers’ market share had declined from 59% in 1990 to 48% in 2009, American Express started Small Business Saturday to help mom-and-pop shops regain their place in the economy. We take a look at the miraculous growth this movement…
Gift cards are the choice present of the season, making gift-giving a convenient and flexible experience for givers and receivers alike. The 2012 holiday consumer spending survey by the National Retail Federation predicts that shoppers will spend more on gift cards this year than ever before. We take a look…
Shoppers are increasingly turning to the web, according to comScore’s 5th Annual Local Search Usage Study. While this may not be a revolutionary finding in 2012, the study did make a surprising discovery: shoppers, especially those equipped with mobile devices, are actually utilizing local search and not merely purchasing online….
A 2012 Vibes report, “Understanding the Showrooming Shopper,” shows that brick-and-mortar shop owners shouldn’t fear the smart devices most shoppers use. In fact, they should welcome this technology. It turns out that embracing the mobile medium can enhance both a shopper’s in-store experience and a retailer’s bottom line. We take…
According to the latest National Retail Federation survey, a record 170 million people plan to enjoy the thrill of Halloween this year—the most in the survey’s 10-year history. What tricks and treats are shoppers plotting? We outline the survey results below. (click on image to enlarge)
Now that mobile phones have transformed from mere communication devices to complex portals of boundless information, they have also altered the way we perform most routine activities, such as shopping. We take a look at how Internet access via mobile has changed the in-store buying habits of shoppers. ( click…
When it comes to service, it seems that customers’ patience runs low. Shoppers want dedicated service instantaneously, and while brands may have multiple channels of communication, most people still prefer the old-fashioned route: the phone. What consequences do retailers face if they don’t meet the immediate demand for instant customer…
With a significant portion of Americans currently unemployed, retail stores have the pick of the litter when it comes to hiring help. But it’s not enough to simply fill the positions. A new survey of 5,000 retail shoppers reveals that store employees end up playing a major role when it…