Memphis-based Federal Express — which will add some 20,000 workers to handle the additional volume — is the beneficiary of gradual economic improvement and ever-increasing internet sales, according to analysts. Reuters Oct. 24, 2011
Oct 242011
Sep 272011
UK retail sales slowed in September, according to a survey by the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). CBI’s “monthly sales volume balance” — which indicates the percentage of retailers reporting a rise in sales on the year minus those reporting a fall — dropped to minus 15 in September from minus 14 in August. The September number is the lowest such number since May of last year. The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 27, 2011)
September U.S. Consumer Confidence Barely Budges from August’s Low Mark
Geography, Research, Trends, Forecasts, USA
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Sep 272011
The Conference Board’s September consumer confidence index increased ever so slightly to 45.4 from a revised 45.2 reading in August that was the lowest since April 2009, when the economy was in a recession. In an announcement today, Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center, said, “The pessimism that shrouded consumers last month has spilled over into September. Consumer expectations, which had plummeted in August, posted a marginal gain. However, consumers expressed greater concern about their expected earnings, a sign that does not bode well for spending. In addition, consumers’ assessment of current conditions declined for the fifth consecutive month, a sign that the economic environment remains weak.” Conference Board Press Release (Sept. 27, 2011)
Aug 082011
Let’s face it, the Great Recession — which officially ended in June 2009 — landed a body blow to an economy that has barely picked itself up and dusted off. A second punch in a one-two recession combination, should it come, would be a knock-out for thousands of American families, depressing consumer demand for years. The New York Times Aug. 7, 2010
Gadget-Loving Gen X and Gen Y Types Discover Old-Fashioned Wrist Watches
Product Categories, Research, Trends, Forecasts, Watches
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Jul 072011
After going “watch-free” for most of the past decade, a number of style-conscious, male hipsters in their 30′s are discovering (or rediscovering) the allure of mechanical timepieces. The NY Times interviews three style influencers, and explains how mechanical wrist watches are tapping into the current trends favoring retro styles and heritage brands. In photo at left, Matthew Hranek, a New York photographer who runs a men’s lifestyle blog, the William Brown Project, sports a 1968 Rolex Submariner. The New York Times Jul. 6,2011
In Stubborn Recession, Those with Jobs Benefit from Greater Purchasing Power
Research, Trends, Forecasts
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Aug 112010
It’s the “little-commented-on” silver lining of the Great Recession — employees who held onto their jobs are doing pretty well. While the ranks of unemployed workers who have been out of work for 27 weeks or more is a staggering 45% — since World War II, it has never before been above 26% — real average hourly pay has risen nearly 5 percent since the start of the recession in December 2007. Nominal wages (the numbers people see in their paychecks} have risen throughout the slump, as companies have passed along some of their productivity gains to their remaining workers. And inflation, of course, has been almost non-existent. Now, if only the still-employed would stop looking over their shoulders at their less-fortunate neighbors and go on a spending spree, maybe we could kick things into gear… The New York Times Aug. 11, 2010
Aug 102010
According to a consumer survey by Port Washington, New York-based market research firm NPD Group, this back-to-school shopping season will be better than last year, which was awful, but the buying will happen just ahead of the first homeroom bell not in the middle of August. In this year’s survey, 38 percent of the respondents said they plan to spend less on back-to-school supplies and clothes a six-point drop from the 44% of consumers planning a pull-back at this time last year. “Also, 55 percent said they planned to shop in more stores this year, compared with 53 percent last year.” Newsday (NY) Aug. 9, 2010
TV Shopping “To-Do” Item — Create Mass Market for Men’s Engagement Rings
Jewelry (fine), Product Categories, Research, Trends, Forecasts
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Aug 052010
It seems a growing number of engaged men are taking issue with Seinfeld character George Costanza’s belief that “I’m engaged” is just something that you say … like “I’m going steady … It’s all just stuff you say…” There is a nascent trend of men wearing engagement rings of their own, instead of simply giving them to their fiances. As one 20-something man told The New York Times, “In this day and age, [my fiance and I] have an equal partnership in this relationship — we’re in it together [so] it seemed weird to have an imbalance, to say ‘You have to wear a ring to keep those guys away, but I get to go around as if I’ve not made a major life commitment.’” (This young fellow may feel differently if he misses out on the chance to date Marissa Tomei — “an Oscar winner, Jerry, an Oscar winner!” — but the fact remains that he is walking around with an engagement ring on today.)
So, would Mindy Grossman or Mike George, please, get on the telephone with whoever they know who may know George Clooney and encourage him to wear an engagement ring, once he asks for his Italian girlfriend’s hand in marriage … something that could happen any day now? I’m a man in my 40s and like to think that I’m not particularly susceptible to the influence of celebrities, but Clooney is an exception. If he has, does or wears something, well, then I want to have, do or wear it, too. Come on, people, pick up the phone.
Aug 052010
Almost two-thirds of the stores reporting July same-store sales missed analyst estimates collected by Thomson Reuters, with teen-focused retailers faring particularly badly. Retailers catering to teenagers increased sales by only 1.5 percent, while July sales overall were also weaker than expectedn — up 2.9%. These modest gains came against the very weak comp of July 2009. The performance raises concerns for the important back-to-school season. The New York Times Aug. 5, 2010
U.S. Consumer Spending and Personal Incomes Stagnate in June
Research, Trends, Forecasts
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Aug 042010
In a Catch-22-type situation, stock-market volatility, a poor housing market and high unemployment are depressing consumer spending … which, in turn, is making companies reluctant to expand payrolls. Flat consumer spending and personal income levels are only the latest indication that the economy would continue to struggle in the second half of the year. The New York Times Aug. 4, 2010
