Budgets/Spending/Market Size

HAMPSHIRE, U.K. — Retailers are predicted to spend $55 billion on mobile marketing by 2015, which is almost double the $28 billion expected this year, according to a new study by Juniper Research.

CHICAGO — One-in-five consumers between the ages of 35 years and 54 years are choosing products due to a loyalty card discount, SymphonyIRI Group reported Wednesday as part of its Q4 2012 MarketPulse survey. And almost one-third are forsaking their preferred brands due to a sale price. The survey found that shopper sentiment dropped to its lowest point since Q3 2011.

New York -- The latest data from Nielsen shows the number of U.S. convenience stores continues to expand and last year set a new record with 149,220 units.

That figures is up 1,094 units from the prior year so the increase amounts to only a 0.7% gain, according to the 2013 National Association of Convenience Stores/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. Even so, the growth is noteworthy at a time when overall expansion of selling space in the broader retailer industry has remained stagnant even though the recession officially ended in 2009.

Hampshire, U.K. -- Retailers are predicted to spend $55 billion on mobile marketing by 2015, which is almost double the $28 billion expected this year, according to a new study by Juniper Research.

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.  — Ikea reported that sales for its fiscal year 2012 grew by 9.5% and profits were up 8% to $4.2 billion, thanks to its model of offering low-cost, functional furniture. Comparable-store sales were up 8% at its U.S. stores.

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn — Dollar General has big plans for growth in 2013 with the creation of 6,000 new jobs and the planned addition of 635 new stores and 550 relocations. With the addition of these jobs in 2013, Dollar General will have created approximately 30,000 jobs in the last six years.

The National Association of Home Builders sees the residential construction industry gaining momentum in a larger economy that includes a few wild cards.

At the International Builders’ Show here in Las Vegas, the Washington, D.C.-based trade association updated its 2013 housing starts forecast to 949,000 starts in 2013, up 21.5% from the prior year. At the end of January, the group had forecast 932,000.   

Chicago -- There were 4,442 more restaurants in the U.S. in fall 2012 than there were in fall 2011, according to a recent U.S. restaurant census conducted by The NPD Group.

The total number of U.S. restaurants is now 616,008, a .7% increase over last year, based on NPD’s Fall 2012 ReCount, which is a count of commercial restaurant locations in the United States compiled in the spring and fall each year.

Mooresville, N.C. -- Lowe’s announced that it plans to hire 45,000 seasonal workers at its U.S. stores, 13% more than a year earlier, and add 9,000 permanent part-time employees as the housing rebound spurs remodeling.

The permanent part-time positions include store associates focused on direct interaction and expertise for customers. Employees in the permanent positions will be scheduled to work during peak weekday shopping times.

New York -- Dollar General Corp. will open 635 new stores in 2013, creating some 6,000 jobs. The chain will also relocate 550 stores this year.

With the addition of these jobs in 2013, Dollar General said it will have created approximately 30,000 jobs in the last six years.