Store Loyalty Down — Even in Australia

Posted on February 16, 2015 by bermanevansretail
We know that many consumers are less store loyal and more fickle than ever before — due to both greater retail competition and higher expectations. So, what do hard data show us?
Here’s a Nielsen example from Australia:
“Shoppers are prepared to shop around at different stores to find the best price – driving an increase in frequency of purchase, but also having the knock on effect of declining shopper loyalty. It almost perpetuates a vicious circle as supermarkets compete on price to try and retain shopper spending in their stores. We referred to 2014 as the year of shopping around, and we expect this to continue in 2015.”
“We are shopping at more stores to seek out our favorite products, and moving into an age when you don’t have to buy everything you need in one big shop. Our savvy shopping behavior means we are popping down to the shop more frequently than ever before.”
Click the image to read more.
 

 

Posted in Global Retailing, Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Job Skills Will Be Most Important in 2020?

Posted on February 13, 2015 by bermanevansretail
As we plan our future career moves, it is essential to be aware of trends in the job marketplace. For example, what skills should we expect employers to desire in the year 2020?
Consider these observations from YouTern:
“Drivers of change are all around us. A globally connected world, the ability to scale a brand based on a social media post, cross cultural conversations, and a new reliance on digital communication all mean we need to evolve past our industrial age educations and mindsets about work. Welcome to the Social Age.“
“As a result, the skills we will be expected to wield just a few years from now – as shown in this marvelous infographic from Top10OnlineColleges.org – may look far different than they do now. How skilled are you at social intelligence? How’s your new media literacy? How good are you at virtual collaboration? These are the skills that will be most in demand, and very soon.”
Take a close look at the infographic, and then think ahead.
 
Important Work Skills for 2020
Source: Top10OnlineColleges.org

 

Posted in Career Useful Information, Careers in Retailing, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

New Adidas App Seeks to Avoid Store Lines

Posted on February 12, 2015 by bermanevansretail
There are millions and millions of apps out there — some better than others. 🙂 One clever new app is from Adidas, called Confirmed.
As described by Kyle Stock for Bloomberg:
“Are limited-edition sneakers still special when buyers can reserve them via an app, like a pizza or a pair of movie tickets? Adidas hopes so. The German sportswear giant just launched Confirmed, a mobile platform that will let sneakerheads skip the long lines at Foot Locker, obscure shoe lotteries, and the occasional disturbance of the peace that come with the sale of a rare pair of shoes. ‘You hear a lot of chatter and frustration that the existing system is somehow rigged for friends of friends or VIP customers,’ said Simon Atkins, the company’s vice president of brand activation. ‘We saw a real opportunity to change the paradigm with customers.'”
“Here’s how it works: Consumers who download the app, register with personal details, and allow push notifications from Adidas will get offers to reserve limited-edition shoes and apparel as they become available. Those who respond first are given the right to buy the products at a certain time and place, both in Adidas-owned stores and other retailers.”
Click the image to read more by Stock.

A pair of Adidas “Year of the Goat” sneakers celebrating the Chinese New Year that go on sale on Feb. 19 for $130.


 

Posted in Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 4: Store Location Planning, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing, Technology in Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment