August 29, 2012 at 8:20 am
It’s back to school time. The time when your credit card gets so hot from swiping you need an insulated purse to carry it. I forgot that back to school shopping is more than new shoes, clothes and classroom supplies. Perhaps the summer spoiled me when it came to lunches—hot food, cold food, fast food—the [...]
August 28, 2012 at 6:00 am
It’s been a rough couple of years for the U.S. People are stretching their dollars amidst the murky economy. It appears the worst is behind us, and it is time for back-to-school shoppers to catch up after last year’s cautious spending. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), parents are still worried about the weak [...]
August 9, 2012 at 8:11 am
The talk of a slowly improving economy just gained more support with the release of a recent PriceGrabber® survey. The results of its first Back-to-School Shopping Forecast survey, revealing that nearly half (46 percent) of consumers are planning to spend more this back-to-school shopping season than in 2011. Related PostsAn Interview with Jim Mercado, Principal [...]
July 8, 2012 at 6:00 am
While consumers may share similar habits, they differ in their shopping needs, where they shop, how they shop and how they prepare to shop. And in order to effectively reach shoppers and drive in-store traffic, retailers need to gain valuable insight into their consumer base. Related PostsGet Last-Minute Shoppers by Going Online with Your Advertising [...]
June 11, 2012 at 11:12 am
Over the past few years, we have seen major advancements in new technology and in the opportunities they present us. In the advertising industry, the advancement of new technology has opened up more channels for advertisers to leverage and market on – creating new ways to reach shoppers. Related PostsReal Time or Bust: Why Anything [...]
June 6, 2012 at 11:30 am
As the seasons change, so do consumers. They adapt to climate changes and begin shopping for season deals on home decorating, clothing and other “must-have” seasonal goods. With summer around the corner, here are a few tips to drive heightened awareness around your brand and summer deals in and out of the store to keep [...]
June 4, 2012 at 9:28 am
As graduates rush around to finalize last minute details, such as gown orders and over-due book returns, parents and loved ones are equally as rushed searching for that special graduation gift. And, just like the holiday season, graduation is always expected to rack in sales for retailers. Related PostsA Look Back: The Best Latino Advertising [...]
May 16, 2012 at 8:00 am
MaxPoint headed to Dallas, TX for FMI 2012, the food retail show of the year, and hit the show floor to survey over 100 food retail industry executives. We wanted to know how the changing economy has affected consumers, specifically when it comes to grocery shopping habits. This is what FMI attendees had to say: [...]
May 15, 2012 at 10:57 am
When it comes to making a budget for shopping, consumers are mindful of how the economy has affected their lifestyle and spending habits. As a result of the post-recession economy, consumers have tried to find the best ways to maximize their monthly spend, specifically, they have become more cost-conscious grocery shoppers. Today, we’ve released a [...]
May 10, 2012 at 12:48 pm
From brightly colored flowers to new gardening gear, shoppers are making room in their budget this Mother’s Day to make the holiday as special as possible. According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, the average consumer celebrating the holiday is expected to spend $152.52 on gifts (up from $140.73 last year), with total spending [...]
May 7, 2012 at 10:18 am
America is one big melting pot of culture that is constantly adding new ingredients to the mix. Gone are the days retailers solely target the usual holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Fourth of July and Halloween. With so many different cultures, religions and lifestyles being welcomed in the U.S., the opportunity to target these groups [...]
April 11, 2012 at 10:37 am
Not only is 2012 a big year in terms of new technology launches and strides in the digital advertising industry, but it’s a big year for four important retailers: Walmart, Target, Kmart, and Kohl’s. In 2012, Walmart, Target, Kmart, and Kohl’s all turn 50 (Happy Birthday!). Below is a look back at the strides these [...]
March 27, 2012 at 11:01 am
Did you know the average person waits about an hour per day in line? By the time a shopper has spent two or three minutes in line, the perceived wait time is multiplied by each passing minute according to a study by Envirosell. Shoppers get impatient quickly and choose their own line based on key [...]
March 26, 2012 at 10:39 am
Sy Syms, an American businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, who founded the SYMS off-price clothing chain in New York City, once said, “An educated consumer is our best customer.” Related PostsSuper Bowl Ads: For Branding or Buying? Effective Online Advertising & Consumer Privacy: Can Both be Achieved Without Sacrificing the Other? REI Goes Local with Social [...]
March 5, 2012 at 11:35 am
You’ve launched a strategic online advertising campaign to drive traffic to your store and you start seeing an increase of shoppers in the store – but it doesn’t end there, right? You have to also apply in-store marketing strategies and tactics to ensure they not only stay in the store, but that they make purchases. [...]
February 23, 2012 at 11:02 am
Over 75% of all U.S. consumer spending occurs at retail locations within 15 miles of one’s home. Knowing this, it’s important to target your next digital advertising campaign within a tight radius of relevant store locations. With neighborhood-level advertising, retailers and brands can reach relevant consumers and drive local in-store traffic. Related PostsBuild a Mobile-Friendly [...]
February 22, 2012 at 7:30 am
Retailers and brands are continually focused on ways they can re-think their marketing strategy to drive in-store traffic to different retail locations. In 2012, localization (specifically, localized digital advertising) is becoming a key part of brand strategies, but it’s still a small percentage of the overall budget to drive traffic to stores.
February 20, 2012 at 10:48 am
Back-to-school is a big business, with nearly $69B in sales at stake. That makes it the second-biggest selling season next to the winter holidays, as well as a huge marketing period for brands and retailers. However, unlike the holidays, retailers can rely on shoppers to head in-store for back-to-school because parents must purchase required school [...]
February 16, 2012 at 9:15 am
Last week, MaxPoint headed to Bonita Springs, Florida for the 2012 iMedia Brand Summit to join the conversation on the secrets in digital that define the world’s most iconic brands. Below is a brief recap of the event.
February 14, 2012 at 10:47 am
Last week, MaxPoint headed to Arkansas for the first Doing Business in Bentonville event of the year to learn a little more on the in-store impact of merchandising within Walmart.
February 13, 2012 at 10:42 am
According to eMarketer, online video will make up one-third of all online display advertising by 2014 and $5.71 billion is projected to be spent by 2014 as well. With such big dollars at stake, marketers need to understand video engagement to ensure they’re getting the best bang for the buck.
February 8, 2012 at 10:18 am
As Valentine’s Day approaches, people start preparing to look their best for that special romantic night by getting the perfect haircut, shopping for that perfect outfit and buying the perfect red lipstick. Knowing the anticipation that builds around this holiday, we were interested in finding out what neighborhoods were most interested in looking and acting [...]
January 31, 2012 at 9:54 am
Did you know that one of the most popular resolutions to make in the New Year is to lead a healthier lifestyle? Here at MaxPoint, our employees are encouraged to take weekly walks, join local runs, shop for healthy recipes and we even have a monthly gym stipend! Knowing how important leading a healthy lifestyle [...]
January 26, 2012 at 8:55 am
As retailers rethink ways to drive in-store traffic in 2012, more are turning to local. According to a recent RSR (Retail Systems Research) research study, retailers have struggled to create relevant, “local” experiences. Shoppers in different geographic locations have different consumer needs and retailers and brands have focused on maintaining a consistent national brand look [...]
January 23, 2012 at 11:31 am
When news about the liquidation of Borders broke, industry reporters talked about the demise of these retail stores due to the ability to download/read online with new technology (eReaders, tablets, etc). However, to erroneously assume retail stores are going entirely by the way of digital books with the inevitable closing of brick-and-mortar stores, is a [...]
January 19, 2012 at 1:03 pm
This past week, MaxPoint attended the National Retail Federation’s 101st Annual Convention & Expo, also known as “Retail’s Big Show.” Celebrating the show’s theme, “Retail’s New Rules,” MaxPoint hit the show floor to learn attendees’ “new rules” for retail in 2012. In honor of the show’s 101st year, MaxPoint surveyed 101 retailers, technology vendors and [...]
January 11, 2012 at 9:44 am
In 2011, the advertising industry saw tremendous growth in the digital advertising space. This year, advertisers are taking digital to a new level by re-thinking targeting and localizing their advertising campaigns. If local isn’t a part of your 2012 digital advertising strategy yet, here are a few reasons why it should be.
January 5, 2012 at 9:17 am
If we lived in New York City, I don’t think I would ever see my husband now that Sur La Table will open a flagship store in Hearst Tower. He is a cooking addict and cannot pass up a gourmet shop or chef supply outlet. He is pretty selective about what he buys and avoids [...]
January 4, 2012 at 9:41 am
During the holidays, consumers don’t think twice about heading back to the kitchen for seconds. It’s the time of year to relax with friends and family and enjoy good food and holiday sweets. Unfortunately, this ignorant bliss eventually comes to an end with the beginning of a new year. Seconds are scrapped and lists are [...]
December 21, 2011 at 10:32 am
For many shoppers heading to the mall around the holidays is not an easy feat. Breaking a sweat just trying to get through the parking lot, the task does not get any easier with crazy store crowds and battles over toys once in-store. However, this hustle and bustle is expected around this time of year [...]
December 19, 2011 at 8:56 am
Service organizations have been doing it for years; bundling complementary, value-add offerings to attract more customers. Most people do it with their cable, Internet and phone but why not with your grocery store.
December 8, 2011 at 9:08 am
We love to share the latest retail industry news with our blog subscribers and Twitter followers. But, where do we get our news? If it’s not thought leadership from our Executive team, we often turn to these resources. Below is a list of our top ten “go-to” retail resources (Note: this is not a comprehensive [...]
November 30, 2011 at 9:36 am
“Ladies and Gentleman, Flight 365 to Chicago will be delayed at least an hour due to a mechanical problem with the aircraft…” How many times has this happened to you, whether on a business trip or with your family on vacation? Delays can be due to weather, heavy air traffic or the most unsettling, mechanical [...]
November 28, 2011 at 9:26 am
The final 72 hours of the holiday shopping season are the most critical when it comes to meeting revenue projections for the year. Fortunately, retailers and brands can now quickly and easily create “just-in-time” demand to help meet their revenue projections. The key here is flexibility – which you have with digital channels. Most advertising [...]
November 21, 2011 at 11:08 am
Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving and the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, we know it all too well. For many consumers, it’s a day of hiding at home or rushing to stores as soon as they open, trying to grab the sweet deals offered before anyone else. For retailers and brands, it’s a [...]
November 17, 2011 at 9:51 am
With online ad spend hitting $26 billion in 2010 and predicted to have double-digit growth through 2015, more and more retailers are using digital to reach shoppers in order to drive in-store traffic. And, it doesn’t stop there, once these shoppers are in store, retailers are coming up with more ways to enhance the in-store [...]
November 14, 2011 at 9:22 am
The last 72 hours of the holiday shopping season is a critical time period retailers and brands can leverage to drive in-store sales and proactively move seasonal inventory. Someone always procrastinates and shops the night before the holiday or forgets a gift for a last minute holiday party, and it is too late to purchase [...]
November 9, 2011 at 9:26 am
According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), holiday sales can represent anywhere between 25-40 percent of retailers’ annual sales and US Census data indicates that approximately 75 percent of all US consumer spending occurs at retail locations within 15 miles of home. Not only is localization important, it is a key part of the brand [...]
October 26, 2011 at 10:06 am
Some men are shoppers. Many are not. My husband is in between. If he knows he is getting something for himself, then the amount of time before his patience runs out is significantly greater than if it was just shopping for items for our son or me. Sometimes I just want to try on 15 [...]
October 17, 2011 at 10:11 am
In a recent Retail Systems Research (RSR) report, The Local Approach: The State of Localized Advertising in Retail, RSR evaluated 20 top retailers’ localization efforts. This report provides recommendations for retailers from various categories to create cohesive local campaigns that reach consumers at every touch point throughout the purchase path.
October 10, 2011 at 10:13 am
Remember when we used to get excited about Saturday shopping trips to the local store? Store managers greeted customers at the door and shoppers walked up and down the aisles, pulling out items and admiring the displays – the ultimate in-store experience. However, times have changed and so has our local shopping experience.
October 5, 2011 at 9:00 am
The holiday shopping season is just around the corner, and you know what that means. Holiday campaigns are already starting to roll out and why shouldn’t they? According to the International Council of Shopping Centers, holiday sales in November and December can amount up to 40% of retailer’s annual sales. And…with this much riding on [...]
October 3, 2011 at 9:00 am
My husband is a stay at home dad and about a decade ago, it was an extremely rare role for a male to play. Today, it is much more common; to the tune of 158,000 stay at home dads in the US according to the US Census Bureau. This number is expected to grow significantly [...]
September 27, 2011 at 9:10 am
Today, RSR Research revealed the results of a new Prospective View report entitled, “The Local Approach: The State of Localized Advertising in Retail” to evaluate how well retailers are using digital experiences to drive in-store traffic.
September 22, 2011 at 9:30 am
This past July, Walmart made the decision (after a ten year break) to share sales data with third-party firms, leading to Walmart’s widely talked about partnership with Nielsen. This data includes food, consumables and health and wellness categories, and was a huge step forward for not only Walmart but the industry in general. Related PostsKimberly-Clark [...]
September 20, 2011 at 11:29 am
It’s no secret that consumers are researching products and deals online before heading to the store. By 2014, the web will be influencing $1.4 billion worth of in-store sales, according to Forrester Research. And, about 62% of shoppers say they search for deals online for at least half of their shopping trip, according to a [...]
September 12, 2011 at 9:27 am
My husband is one of those people who sits down over a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning and contemplates meals for the week ahead. He methodically types out the days of the week Monday-Friday on a list on his laptop and begins selecting main courses. We try to keep it varied. Chicken, pasta, [...]
