Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

When it comes to promoting high-end retail and product brands on social media, different platforms suit different companies.

Walmart is the only chain retailer to fully meet a goal it made related to an initiative of opening stores in “food deserts,” the Associated Press reported. [Associated Press]

While mobile technology has changed the way people shop, consumers — including the most tech-savvy — still do the vast majority of their shopping in shopping centers.

At least that’s according to a new survey by the International Council of Shopping Centers, which found that 83% of U.S. consumers visit a shopping center at least once a week, including 92% of 18 to 24 year olds. Overall, the young consumers visit shopping centers on average 10.8 times a week.

Big Lots narrowed its loss in the third quarter as the retailer attracted more shoppers to its stores with new merchandising and marketing strategies.

For the period ended Oct. 31, Big Lots reported a loss of $1.5 million, or 3 cents a share, compared with $3.4 million, or 6 cents, a year earlier. Same store sales increased 2.6% Revenue edged up less than a percentage point to $1.12 billion.

For many years, Black Friday sales promotions have defined the retail environment during the long Thanksgiving weekend. Despite evidence that Black Friday has lost some of its luster, it remains a very large shopping event and is actively contested by major retailers.

Indeed, according to the NRF, close to 102 million consumers shopped in brick-and-mortar stores over the Black Friday holiday weekend.

The chief executives of H&M, Gap Inc. and five other apparel companies are urging world leaders to agree to a strong climate change deal because they fear global warming will drive up their costs by having a negative impact on cotton production, Reuters reported. [Reuters]

Despite significant publicity about consumer preferences for apps, retailers are focusing their mobile attention elsewhere.

According to a new study from Boston Retail Partners, “Mobile Commerce – The Future of Retail,” a leading 24% of retailers said a new or upgraded mobile website is their top commerce priority, double the 12% who listed a new or upgraded mobile app. Sixty-eight percent of retailers expect mobile sire revenue to increase by the end of the year, compared to 38% who expect mobile app revenue to grow by year’s end.

Michaels says its new marketing and merchandising strategies are resonating with customers, as the arts and crafts retailer reported an uptick in same-store sales for the third quarter.

The retailer said comps increased 3.1% in the period ended Oct. 31. Sales rose 3.4% to $1.17 billion. The company posted a profit of $76.8 million, or 37 cents per share, compared with $64.1 million, or 31 cents per share a year prior.