Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

The National Retail Federation (NRF) is pleased so far with how many members of the House and Senate have reacted to the proposed new Labor Department rule that would expand overtime eligibility for employees.

David French, senior VP for government relations, NRF, released the following statement on the hearing by the House Education and Workforce Committee on the proposed rule:

Consumers are being choosy about where they are spending extra money that is becoming available with the end of the recession.
 
According to a new study from Mintel, more than two in five (44%) Americans describe their financial situations as "healthy" in 2016, compared to 37% in 2015 and 33% in 2013, indicating that improvements in the economy are being felt at a household level. However, different retail categories are receiving the benefit more than others.
 

E-commerce is generally popular with consumers, but some offerings are better received than others.
 
According to the Walker Sands 2016 Future of Retail Study, based on a survey of more than 1,400 U.S. respondents, most consumers shop online with some level of frequency. Forty percent shop online once or more a month, 21% one- to two-times a week, and 7% three or more times a week. This means that about two-thirds (68%) shop online at least monthly, while only 4% shop online one- to three-times a year.
 

When it comes to customer experience, not all grocery chains are created equal.
 
According to the new Customer Quotient (CQ) survey from global customer intelligence agency C Space, Trader Joe’s is the most customer-centric grocer. Conversely, Shaw’s scored the lowest of 27 options.
 

Saving for retirement is like exercising or eating right. We know we’ll feel better when we do it, but many of us fail to make it a priority. It’s all too easy to put off such matters until tomorrow. But after a string of tomorrows, we’ve lost valuable opportunities that would have benefitted us in the long run.

Anyone who is a dad, or sells products dads like, may be in for a happy Father’s Day.

According to a new survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insight and Analytics, consumers say they will spend more than ever on Father’s Day in 2016 (Sunday, June 19). Shoppers are expected to spend an average $125.92 for the holiday, up 9% from the prior year’s $115.57. Total spending is expected to reach $14.3 billion, the highest in the survey’s 13-year history but still below the 2016 Mother’s Day total of $21.4 billion.

When it comes to customer experience, home improvement shoppers have established a long-term favorite.

Ace Hardware ranks highest in customer satisfaction with home improvement retailers for a 10th consecutive year, according to the J.D. Power 2016 Home Improvement Retailer Satisfaction Study. The study measures customer satisfaction with home improvement retailers by examining merchandise; price; sales and promotions; staff and service; and store facility. Satisfaction is measured on a 1,000-point scale.