Marketing Tactics

New York -- Consumer confidence rebounded in February, reversing three straight months of declines, according to The Conference Board, a private research group. The Conference Board’s closely-watched Consumer Confidence Index stands at 69.6, up from 58.4 in January. Economists had expected 60.5, according to research firm FactSet.

It was the highest reading since November’s 71.5 metric.  

Chicago -- The retail industry is poised for another year of heavy deal flow. Nearly all retail CFOs (94%) expect merger and acquisition will increase or remain steady in 2013, according to a new survey from BDO USA.

The bullish forecasts follow $324.6 billion in global retail and consumer M&A activity in 2012, which was up 33% over 2011 and the busiest year since 2007, according to Dealogic. A majority of CFOs (68%) expect the U.S. markets to see a majority of deal volume, followed by the Asia-Pacific market (20%) and Latin America market (7%).

CAMP HILL, Pa. — New Jersey first lady and chairwoman of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund Mary Pat Christie will visit a Point Pleasant, N.J., Rite Aid store on Friday at 11:30 a.m. with Rite Aid executives to receive money for the fund, Rite Aid said Thursday.

SPRINGFIELD, N.J. — Watch maker TAG Heuer has launched its first online shopping boutique.  Paying homage to the brand's eight avant-garde retail boutiques nationwide, the new online boutique will mimic TAG Heuer's "lifestyle lounge," which allows consumers to fully immerse themselves in the TAG Heuer brand from any location. 

CHICAGO — The latest research from SymphonyIRI Group’s Times & Trends, “2012 CPG Year in Review: Finding the New Normal,” reveals that budget restraints are still causing consumers to remain frugal in 2013, despite signs of economic recovery. 

The head of the Grocery Manufacturers Association took exception this week to a new book which portrays consumers as hapless victims preyed upon by food industry giants that peddle addictive products.

In “Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” author Michael Moss paints an unflattering picture of food companies who pursue a win at all costs strategy by artfully manipulates salt, sugar and fat to addict and fatten consumer with disastrous results.

First Lady Michelle Obama is scheduled to visit a Walmart store in Springfield, Mo., this week as part of a nationwide tour to generate interest in her Let’s Move! children’s health initiative.

The stop at the Springfield Walmart is schedule for Thursday afternoon and follows appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Good Morning America and The Dr. Oz Show. The two day tour will showcase progress and announce new ways the country is coming together around the health of children.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Dillard’s Inc. posted fourth-quarter net income of $161.4 million, up 14% over the year-ago period. It also reported its 10th consecutive quarter of same-store sales growth.

Chicago -- Shoppers will reduce the number of channels they visit and remain intensely focused on value in 2013, according to the latest research from SymphonyIRI Group.

According to Symphony’s “2012 CPG Year in Review: Finding the New Normal,” consumers are still attempting to ease budgetary strains and are embracing a wide variety of money-saving strategies.

New York -- With an overall branded basket 4% less expensive than Target’s, Walmart assumes the strongest overall lead in Kantar Retail’s semi-annual pricing study since the study began in 2009.
   
While strategic price discounts on key items continue to be a cornerstone of Target’s price competitiveness, rather than everyday low prices, Target’s overall basket has not been lower than Walmart’s since the January 2011 iteration of this study.