Jul 25, 2010
Retailers’ back-to-school assignment: Boost salesBy Joan VerdonNorthJersey.com

Retailers are preparing for this year’s back-to-school shopping season as if it’s a test they can’t afford to fail.

While the two leading retail trade groups are forecasting pent-up demand and a recovering economy will let stores earn easy A’s this year, retailers aren’t taking anything for granted. They’re worried the still-skittish American consumer could hit them with some surprises if they don’t do their homework.

A survey by the National Retail Federation found consumers expect to spend about 10 percent more for back-to-school clothes and supplies this year compared with last year. Michael Niemira, chief economist for the International Council of Shopping Centers, is predicting back-to-school-related sales, as measured by the Commerce Department, for the three-month period of July through September, will increase “a solid 5.4 percent, potentially the strongest showing since 2005,” when they rose 6.4 percent.

Other forecasters are more pessimistic. C. Britt Beemer, chairman of America’s Research Group, said surveys his firm conducted with consumers this summer show that for many parents money still is tight. Beemer predicts a “skimpy increase” of zero up to 3 percent, compared with the robust rebound some are expecting.

Read complete article.


Tags:


Social Connections


📣 Meet our speakers! 📣The Garden Center Show, presented by Lawn & Garden Retailer, is excited to announce our Keynote Speakers! 📣 Michelle Sherrier: Owner of MC Design Academy and host of The Retail Whore Podcast📣 Tim Quebedeaux: Owner of RetailKPI and Service Provider for The Garden Center GroupBe sure to check them out, along with our full, FREE conference schedule for The Garden Center Show, Aug. 6-7 in Rosemont, IL.🔗 Register for FREE: LGRMag.com/GCSRegister🌐 Learn more: www.gardencentershow.com🚌 Bus tour info: lgrmag.com/LGRBusTour#GCS24 #GardenCenterShow #GardenEvents #InPersonEvent #Networking #RetailStrategies #SpecialtyRetailers #GardenCenter #Conference #speaker #keynotespeaker ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
Gift Shop Plus Winter 2024
Get one year of Gift Shop Plus in both print and digital editions for just $16.

Interested in reading the print edition of Gift Shop Plus?

Subscribe Today »

website development by deyo designs