The steadily improving conditions of the American economy have given both retailers and consumers more confidence about the upcoming holiday season. However, although customers are planning to spend more on purchases this year, they are still going to be conservative when it comes to buying items and gifts.

According to a recent report by the National Retail Federation (NRF), the average estimated amount each shopper will spend in the upcoming months is $749.51, up from the $740.57 average that was paid in 2011. The economy is still continuing to impact holiday purchases, although fewer Americans are allowing current conditions to have an effect on their shopping. The NRF found that last year, 62.2 percent of customers stated that the economic conditions had an impact on their spending. For this year, that number has dropped to 52.3 percent. NRF executives believe that to save money, Americans will use discounts, coupons and other options to keep their holiday purchases within their budgets.

When it comes to using these deals to cut costs, recent research by Booz & Co. revealed that 73 percent of shoppers expect to find discounts and other offerings to help them save money, reports Chain Store Age.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, October 18th, 2012 at 10:13 am .

Retailers around the country are becoming more optimistic about the near future, as many expect that their operations will see a strong boost from this year's holiday shopping season. This is in large part due to the fact that consumers are more confident in their financial conditions as well as the improving economy. For this reason, businesses are steadily gearing up for the holiday shopping rush, both in stores and online, as the total amount of purchases is anticipated to meet or surpass the figure from last year.

Confidence is on the rise

One big indicator that holiday retail sales will be more than last year's amounts is the fact that both consumers and retailers are regaining their confidence. According to Kiplinger, the consumer confidence levels have been steadily improving over the past few months, and it is expected that they will continue to increase. On top of that, credit card delinquencies have been decreasing recently, meaning that Americans are making more conscious efforts to get out of debt. This boost in better financial management could contribute to higher holiday sales, the website states.

Another factor that is playing a large role in the optimism is the recent hiring numbers from retailers who are bringing on additional staff members to help with the influx of shoppers over the next few months. The source reports that big name businesses are increasing their amounts of seasonal employees from last year. Target is planning on hiring 90,000 workers, while Kohl's will bring on 52,700 – a 10 percent increase from 2011. Additionally, approximately half of these seasonal position will turn into permanent jobs next year, Kiplinger states.

Retailers can go targeted to boost sales

For retailers who want to put more effort into increasing their holiday sales, developing targeted discounts and offerings could very well give merchants the results they are looking for. Independent Retailer writes that attention should be given to selling to existing customers, as loyalty has already been established and they are more likely to buy items and products for their holiday lists from businesses they are familiar with.

But to start off, retailers need to gather and analyze consumer data, which can then be used to create a profile including their information. Studying these aspects will give merchants a better understanding of what patrons want and are looking for. Purchasing histories should also be taken into account, writes the source. This data can be leveraged to offer related products based on what shoppers bought in the past.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, October 17th, 2012 at 2:02 am .

Every year has new trends and elements that retailers need to be aware of when preparing for the rush of holiday customers, and this year is no different. Research has found that online sales, comparison shopping and the use of mobile devices in stores will be significant components of this year's holiday season.

Chain Store Age reports that a recent survey by Booz & Co found nearly three-quarters of consumers stated that they anticipate finding effective discounts and deals this year when purchasing holiday gifts. More than half of respondents, 53 percent, said they are eagerly looking forward to the season. This is a significant increase from the 45 percent who stated the same in 2011.

"While technology enhancements and economic uncertainty will both impact this holiday season, there is a dose of optimism compared to 2011, as people shop with a value-seeking mindset," said Booz & Co chief retail strategist Thom Blischok.

According to a report released by Pitney Bowes, online shopping will be a large factor in holiday sales this year, Independent Retailer reports. Ecommerce retailers need to be prepared to streamline the internet shopping and purchasing process for customers, or risk losing out on valuable business. Additionally, using multiple channels to interact with and communicate with consumers can lead to many benefits in the form of higher satisfaction and retention.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 1:26 am .

Today is the last day of Retail Pro's 2012 Global Conference, and the whole day is dedicated to the company's newest retail management software product, Retail Pro Prism. Attendees are learning all about the system and how it helps to streamline workflows and effectively manage retail store operations for its users.

Over the past few days, Retail Pro Sponsors, Vendors, Users and Business and Alliance Partners have descended upon San Francisco to attend discussions and seminars regarding the latest trends and news pertaining to the retail industry. Presentations have been given by Retail Pro executives about the company's products and technology systems. Attendees have also been able to network with other retail professionals.

At the Retail Pro Prism Boot Camp, Community Members are getting hands-on training with the system and learning more about its fundamentals, architecture and workflow customization capabilities. Retail Pro Prism allows retailers to better oversee their customer relation management as well as streamline transactions for point-of-sale. At the end of today's Boot Camp, attendees will earn their official certification in the management solution, which is recognized by Retail Pro International, LLC and Retail Pro University.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, October 16th, 2012 at 1:23 am .

Small and midsize retailers saw a 5 percent increase in online sales for the month of September. Sporting goods and booksellers experienced the most growth, continuing the trend for the sectors.

Internet Retailer reports that a study by Dydacomp revealed that in September, web retail sales rose by 5.4 percent from the previous month. However, the growth was just slightly below that of August, which increased by 5.9 percent from July. Small and midsize booksellers brought in $32.4 million overall, while sporting good retailers saw a total of $9.62 million. However, there were some industries that did not fare as well. This includes jewelry, home furnishings and consumer electronics, according to the research.

Online retail sales are expected to increase for 2012, states a survey from BDO, LLP. It is anticipated that ecommerce purchases will jump by 5.9 percent this year, which is significant when compared to the increases of 4.1 percent for in-store sales and 4.5 percent for overall purchases. Additionally, the study found that retailers are expecting a rise of 4.6 percent in online holiday sales.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, October 15th, 2012 at 1:41 am .

Shoppers are not only looking to purchase the items and gifts on their lists this holiday season. They are also concerned about finding products and services that provide value while being affordable. These are just two aspects that customers are expecting when they begin to hit retail stores over the next two months. Additionally, all signs are pointing to a successful holiday season, as retailers are anticipating higher sales as consumers begin to regain their confidence in the economy.

Consumers also want free shipping

When it comes to shopping online, buying items from retailers provides convenience and easier comparison with other products. However, these are not the only things that customers are looking for from retailers for this upcoming holiday season. According to recent research from The E-tailing Group and MarketLive, 85 percent of consumers stated they would be willing to purchase gifts from an online retailer if they were offered free shipping, reports Internet Retailer. However, price and value also ranked high on their list, with 85 percent saying they are looking for affordable options and 87 percent stating they want products with value.

Additionally, the traditional days that consumers normally shop, such as Black Friday, are also changing. The research found that last year, 52 percent of respondents hit retail stores the day after Thanksgiving, and 53 percent plan to do so this year. However, the number of shoppers that will be buying items the weekend after Thanksgiving dropped, as only 47 percent stated they plan on purchasing from retailers during those days, compared to the 51 percent who did so in 2011.

Consumer sentiment on the rise

American consumers are also increasingly gaining their confidence in the economy, which could result in better-than-expected retail sales for this year's holiday season. The most recent Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan found that consumer sentiment reached its highest level in five years during October, coming in at an index of 83.1. This represents a significant increase from September's figure of 78.3.

These numbers, coupled with the recent drop in the nation's unemployment rate, could mean the economy is finally picking up its pace once again.

"What changed was how they (consumers) evaluated economic conditions," survey director Richard Curtin said in a statement. "Economic conditions during the year ahead were expected to be 'good' by more consumers, and more consumers expected 'good' economic times over the next five years."

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, October 15th, 2012 at 1:38 am .

The U.S. consumer sentiment index has reached its highest level in five years, which could be a strong indication of a steadily improving economy, especially after the unemployment rate for September fell to 7.8 percent. Shoppers are feeling more confident in their financial conditions, and retailers could see the impact of this over the next few months.

According to the Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan October reading, the overall index rose to 83.1, up from September's figure of 78.3. The current rate is the highest it has been since September 2007. As for consumer expectations, the index also rose significantly, from last month's figure of 73.5 to 79.5 for October. The source reports that the expected reading for the month was at 74. This new information, along with the recent drop in unemployment and low number of Americans filing for jobless benefits, has many economists believing that conditions are steadily improving.

"We are getting some quite interesting signals from consumer sentiment and employment data – both (the) unemployment rate and initial claims – that there has been some quite significant improvement in the economy," said David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast.

Retailers are also becoming more confident. Richard Feinberg, a professor of consumer sciences and retailing at Purdue University, states that the jumps in hiring by retailers for the upcoming holiday season are pointing to optimism within the industry.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, October 12th, 2012 at 9:55 am .

Retail Pro International has just finished its 2012 Global Conference, which kicked off on Friday, October 12, in San Francisco, California. The event, which ran through Tuesday, October 16, was a chance for Retail Pro Users as well as Business and Alliance Partners to get together and learn more about the latest trends in the retail industry and how Retail Pro's products can benefit retailers and their operations.

Both the Business Partner and Customer Agenda were filled with seminars and discussions on how Retail Pro's technology products help to streamline workflows and create more efficient and beneficial retail management solutions, both in stores and online. There were also several networking opportunities available for attendees. Retail Pro Community Members were able to meet other retail professionals to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

The last day of the conference, October 16, focused on Retail Pro Prism, the company's newest retail management software program. Attendees of the Boot Camp event learned all about the fundamentals, workflow customization and customer relation management capabilities of the system. Retail Pro Community Members also earned their official certification at the end of the Boot Camp.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 at 7:42 am .

Despite the significant increases in retail sales over the past few months, September saw strong, but not exceptional, growth for retailers across the country. This could be due to the fact that consumers bought more for the back-to-school season, and are taking a break before the holiday shopping rush.

According to Retailing Today, several retailers posted solid gains for the month, including Gap Inc. and Limited Brands. Both corporations experienced better-than-expected results. However, large retailers such as Macy's and Kohl's were not able to meet expectations, as their sales totals fell short of analysts' predictions. Despite this, September was still a strong month for retail sales, and the recent growth points to a successful holiday shopping season, stated several industry professionals.

"This should set up to be a good holiday season," said Ken Perkins, president of Retail Metrics LLC, in an Associated Press report. "Consumers needed to take a breather once the back-to-school season is over."

The Associated Press reports that for September, retail sales increased by 3.9 percent from the previous month, according to research by the International Council of Shopping Centers. While this doesn't meet the 6 percent rise that was seen in August, retailers are expecting stronger sales leading into the holiday season.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, October 11th, 2012 at 1:19 am .

This Friday, October 12, marks the beginning of the Retail Pro 2012 Global Conference, which will last through Tuesday, October 16. Retail Pro Users, Sponsors, Vendors and Business and Alliance Partners will converge on San Francisco, California, to learn more about the latest trends and news pertaining to the retail industry, along with Retail Pro's newest technology products.

The Business Partner Agenda, which takes place from Friday, October 12, to Sunday, October 14, will feature speakers from the retail industry and Retail Pro that will give attendees valuable insight into how the company's solutions help to streamline workflows for retailers and provide better customer experiences. For the Customer Agenda, held from Sunday, October 14 to Monday, October 15, attendees will get the chance to learn more about news that is impacting the retail industry as well as how the products offered by Retail Pro help retailers to effectively manage operations, both in stores and online.

On the last day of the Global Conference, Tuesday, October 16, a day long Boot Camp session will be given to attendees about the newest solution from the company, Retail Pro Prism. Community Members will be able to learn all about the system and the benefits it provides to retailers. Registration for the Retail Pro Prism Boot Camp and Business and Customer Agendas can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, October 10th, 2012 at 3:08 am .