Once the holiday shopping frenzy died down, retailers began preparing for the new year by reviewing  which strategies to implement to boost sales and increase retention. One method that many merchants are using is extending the discounts and deals they offered during the last months of 2012.

According to Daily Finance, this tactic is being followed in the hope that it will keep drawing customers into retail stores and onto websites throughout the beginning of 2013. The source notes that clothing retailer Banana Republic is one example, as the company has been sending out emails with percentage off discounts for subscribers over the past two weeks. Of course, this brand is not the only one employing this strategy. Many businesses are looking to bring in shoppers and boost their after-holiday revenues.

The news source writes that the extended discount method has come to the forefront of the retail industry at the beginning of 2013 mainly due to the lackluster sales many companies saw at the end of last year. While the totals were not entirely disappointing, to improve them slightly, merchants developed deals and offerings. They are now hoping to entice more consumers with their continued product incentives.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, February 1st, 2013 at 11:38 am .

As more consumers are taking to the internet to research, browse and purchase products from retailers’ websites, many merchants may be looking for ways to drive foot traffic into their brick-and-mortar locations. Fortunately, there are several strategies that businesses can follow to accomplish this goal.

Independent Retailer offers some suggestions for companies wanting to bring in more customers into their stores. One method is to offer more personalized and targeted communications. Sending shoppers information about upcoming in-store sales of their favorite items based on their purchasing histories is one way to do this. In addition, providing self-service checkout options is another tactic that can prove successful for retailers. This technology gives customers more convenience, which ultimately increases satisfaction. Mobile shopping options are steadily gaining ground within the retail industry, and if companies want to stay competitive in the near future, they may want to consider implementing these aspects, the source writes.

Cummins Allison also has some recommendations for boosting foot traffic, one of which is focusing on improving consumers’ experiences by gathering feedback about offerings and services they would prefer to see in brick-and-mortar locations, and then working to incorporate those elements into daily operations.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, February 1st, 2013 at 10:53 am .

As expected, American consumers were more confident about the nation’s economy and their own financial conditions this holiday season, as total retail sales for 2012 increased from last year’s amounts.

According to a report from the National Retail Federation (NRF), shoppers spent approximately $579.8 billion throughout November and December, marking a 3 percent increase from holiday retail sales in 2011. Although consumers boosted their spending, the results were somewhat disappointing, as NRF had forecasted a 4.1 percent jump.

On a monthly basis, December’s retail sales grew 0.8 percent from November. The month’s total retail sales were also a 2.1 percent from the same time in 2011, the NRF stated. The sectors that saw the highest boosts in December include clothing, health and personal care, sporting goods and bookstores. NRF officials said that the fiscal cliff negotiations and the slow but steady economic improvement contributed to less-than-stellar sales during the last part of 2012.

“For over six months, we’ve been saying that the fiscal cliff and economic uncertainty could impact holiday sales. As the number shows, these issues had a visible impact on consumer spending this holiday season,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, February 1st, 2013 at 6:43 am .

Despite the slow economic recovery that the United Kingdom is currently facing, one bright spot that is helping to boost retail sales throughout the country is ecommerce. Consumers are increasingly going online to browse for and purchase products, and these online shopping behaviors are expected to continue in 2013.

Internet Retailer reports that a study by Capgemini revealed that by the end of this year, ecommerce is forecasted to jump by 11.5 percent from 2012’s totals, accounting for £87 billion ($138 billion). Last year, purchases made through the internet in the U.K. reached approximately £78 billion ($123.7 billion). The research also found that over the past 12 months, retail sales made through smartphones and tablets increased by 304 percent, meaning that mobile commerce will play an important role in the growth of ecommerce over the next year, the source notes.

The U.K. holiday season saw a large amount of ecommerce transactions, writes Internet Retailing. A large number of retailers throughout the country stated they experienced a significant jump in purchases made through the internet, as consumers went online to buy products and services for the gift-giving time of year.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, February 1st, 2013 at 6:11 am .

When social media sites like Facebook and Twitter first started out, they were used mostly for members to keep in touch with family and friends. However, these platforms have evolved, and they are being utilized to not only connect with others, but to browse for information about retailers and even purchase products from businesses.

Recent research from the Advertising Research Foundation (ARF) found that 22 percent of consumers stated that in the month of December, social media played a significant role in their final retail purchasing decisions. In addition, approximately one-third of respondents said that social sites have influenced their opinions of brands and/or products. Many customers also stated that these platforms have introduced them to retailers they were unfamiliar with, highlighting the importance of these networks in showcasing their merchandise to target audiences.

Voice & Data writes that many brands are beginning to use social media to gather feedback from customers, whether about the price and quality of their products or shoppers’ experiences in stores and on websites. Companies are also using their social pages to share videos, blogs and other content that helps boost their reputations within their industry.

This entry was posted by admin on Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 9:20 am .

The rise in use of smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices has steadily been gaining the attention of retailers over the past few years, as consumers are increasingly using these forms of technology to browse for and purchase products, both in stores and through websites. In 2013, the implementation of mobile shopping options is expected to become even more widespread throughout the retail industry.

1to1 Media writes that businesses that have not yet developed mobile strategies for accommodating device-carrying customers will begin to do so in 2013, as these options gives brands the ability to connect more with shoppers. The constant availability made possible by mobile gadgets means that retailers can reach out to consumers at anytime and from anyplace. The source also notes that companies that establish mobile practices are able to build more personal relationships with customers, as data gathered from the use of these devices can be used to improve upon marketing and service methods.

The revenue to be gained by offering mobile options may be all that is needed to get retailers to adopt mobile shopping options. Forbes reports that a study by Forrester Research revealed that retail sales made through mobile devices is expected to reach $31 billion by 2017.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 8:57 am .

There are still merchants who operate solely through their brick-and-mortar locations, and there are businesses that maintain only websites. However, the majority of retailers use both methods for providing their products and services to consumers. Industry experts believe this is where the future of the industry lies, and failing to maintain stores and ecommerce platforms could result in poor sales and decreased customer satisfaction.

According to 1to1 Media, retail analysts gathered at the annual National Retail Federation conference last week and discussed their views on what is in store for the sector in 2013. Many stated that operating both brick-and-mortar locations and websites is key to success, as consumers are increasingly looking for multichannel options to browse for and purchase retail products. In addition, by managing these two strategies, companies are able to more effectively engage customers and build upon relationships through targeted communications and offerings.

Mobile commerce is further helping retailers boost their multichannel strategies and accommodate smartphone-carrying consumers, the source writes. Speakers at the conference noted that mobile options are not only for shopping, as they also give businesses tools for reaching out to customers and delivering content that is relevant to their needs. Applications and social media are some components which are boosting mobile engagement.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 7:35 am .

As consumers spend more time online, whether through computers or mobile devices, retailers are taking note by providing deals and discounts through the web. These offerings come in the form of redeemable codes at checkout as well as scannable components that are accessed by mobile devices.

Retailing Today reports that research from Kantar Media revealed that in 2012, merchants provided 46.1 percent more in digital coupons on their website than they did in the previous year. These materials are helping businesses increase their consumer retention levels and boost loyalty. Companies can develop these marketing components by looking at shoppers’ past purchases and targeting new offers based in this data.

In a separate article, the source writes that a study by Juniper Research found that mobile coupons are also gaining traction among retailers, as they look to accommodate customers carrying their devices and using them for shopping purposes. For 2013, the number of coupons accessed and redeemed by mobile is forecasted to come in around 10 billion discounts in total, representing a more than 50 percent increase from last year.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 6:44 am .

Retailers are increasingly looking to expand their operations, and it seems as though 2013 may just be the year this happens for many companies. By opening up new brick-and-mortar locations, as well as offering ecommerce solutions for consumers, businesses can see success this year.

The Sun Sentinel reports that retail industry experts believe that many retailers will be expanding to new locations in 2013, as confidence levels for both businesses and consumers return to what they were before the economic recession a few years ago. One reason why companies are opening additional stores is to stay competitive within the market, the news source notes. Despite these positive forecasts, experts believe this year will still be somewhat difficult for retailers, as consumers slowly become more optimistic about their financial conditions.

Another aspect that is anticipated to significantly boost the retail industry in 2013 is mobile commerce, according to Forrester Research. Forbes reports that a Forrester study revealed that retail purchases made through mobile devices are expected to account for $31 billion by 2017, as consumers increasingly use their smartphones and tablets for shopping purposes.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 at 11:57 am .

As the country’s economy continues to improve from the recession, American consumers are slowly regaining their confidence in national conditions as well as their own financial situations. However, many people are still cautious about spending too much, as was recently seen during the 2012 holiday shopping season.

According to a study by Bankrate.com, just over one-quarter of consumers (28 percent) said they spent less than they expected throughout November and December, while just sixteen percent stated they purchased more than they had planned for. Although there are still levels of cautiousness that remain, the research revealed that Americans are feeling better about their job security, savings and personal financial situations. These factors could certainly be felt in increased retail sales in 2013.

Overall retail sales during the holiday season were not particularly disappointing, but economists had hoped for higher totals. The Associated Press reports that research from the National Retail Federation found that holiday sales in 2012 increased by 3 percent from the previous year. Analysts had forecasted a boost of 4 percent. While consumers held back on their spending, conditions are expected to improve in 2013, as confidence returns.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, January 30th, 2013 at 7:02 am .