consumer trends

Stop Treating Your Customers Like Consumers

I was having coffee recently with a brand manager from a multibillion-dollar food and beverage company who was struggling with the launch of a new brand. "We need to be entrepreneurial," he said, "but I... more »

The web took a larger share of retail sales as e-commerce picked up in the 4th quarter

In a down year for the U.S. economy, online retailers took market share from offline retailers, according to the Census Bureau of the U.S. Department of Commerce.Online retail sales in the fourth quarter grew 14.4%... more »

Winter Doesn’t Freeze U.S. Retail

U.S. consumers didn't let snow or frigid temperatures stop them from shopping in January. And if they couldn't get to the malls, there was always the Internet.Retail sales increased a larger-than-expected 0.5% last month, more... more »

Big retailers report strong sales gains in January

The 3.3% increase over the previous year cheers merchants but shoppers are still exercising restraint. Nordstrom and TJX post double-digit gains.In a surprise showing for a notoriously slow month, shoppers turned out at the nation's... more »

Winter Forecast

Mesh Magic Mesh and pearls, velvet and gold rope add a touch of accessibility and interest to the wardrobe. Jewelry that uses materials found in technology is trending up. Aluminum, titanium, and silver can each... more »

Trending Up Winter 2010

Philippi/Prestige Identity Constructed by Andreas Ostwald for Philippi, this award-winning design was fashioned using a single polished 55-foot stainless steel wire. The twisted bowl—which mixes aesthetics and functionality—measures 15.5." 213.746.6826PrestigeIdentity.com Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar Graffiti... more »

Retailers try new survival strategies for 2010

New York — The recession pushed shoppers to pick necessities over discretionary items, discounts over luxury. But retailers hope to shift such behavioral changes further in coming months, affecting what consumers will buy, pay and... more »

Retail body forecasts 2.5% US sales rise

Retail sales in the US are set to rebound this year, according to the National Retail Federation industry group.The NRF said it expected "positive signs" from the housing market and employment levels to strengthen consumer... more »