Economic data from the past several months has established the return of consumer shopping. The last six months specifically have seen personal incomes on the rise, which has made the American consumer more willing to crack open his or her wallet and hit the shopping malls once again. Surely this…
The world of tomorrow has always tempted the imaginations of today. From personal jet-packs to flying cars, new technology and home appliances have long been promised and predicted by speculators, scientists and others at the bleeding edge of innovation. All too often, however, our hopes and dreams for these products…
As a loving son or daughter, it is essentially your duty to make this Father’s Day a memorable one by getting dad something he really wants—in other words, a really cool gadget. And, with so many new tech toys available this holiday season, a “World’s Best Dad” coffee mug or…
In the wake of the recent recession, consumers have been behaving much more conservatively with their money, which has arguably been one of the few positive outcomes of these rough economic times. Recent years have seen several new shopping patterns, including cost-conscious comparison-shopping and a significant increase in coupon use….
Each spring and fall, fashion designers from around the world roll out new styles, cuts and patterns that they hope will be received as “the next big thing.” Typically, these looks are created by the designers several months ahead of time and are sold only at select retailers. In recent…
New shopping technology is quickly and undoubtedly changing the way consumers make purchases. For instance, delivery services like Stop & Shop’s Pea Pod allow users to order groceries directly to their doorstep. Comparison shopping websites and mobile applications reduce trips around town, and mobile shopping makes it possible for shoppers…
Although the recession is technically now over, it was not without its victims. And while independent mom-and-pop stores certainly suffered, many chain stores across the country also felt the heat. Few retailers were safe from layoffs and store closings, but the entertainment and apparel industries in particular seem to have…
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, which means it’s once again time to pick the perfect card, make the dinner reservations and show Mom just how much you appreciate the nine months she carried you and all the years that have since followed. Almost everyone who celebrates Mother’s Day…
It’s no secret that recessions spell disaster for the retail industry as a whole. When layoffs make the rounds and 401(k)s take a beating, one of the first things consumers do is tighten their wallets. Suddenly, retailers selling items previously perceived to be “necessary luxuries” find themselves scrambling for enough sales…
There’s something about the early days of a start-up that is truly magical. As the first ideas move from the dry erase board to a computer screen, the small office culture becomes awash with excitement. There is an overwhelming feeling that you are working on something bigger than yourselves, something…