Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Austin, Texas - Retailers have barely reached the halfway mark in their journey to omnichannel maturity. According to the results of a new report from Starmount and Retail Systems Research (RSR) that asked retailers to rate themselves on six dimensions of omnichannel maturity, the lowest overall rankings (an average score of 2.7 on a six-point scale) were in omnichannel order and fulfillment capabilities.

In addition, 67% of retailers were “inefficient” or worse at integrating in-store and digital experiences. Other findings include:

New York -- Target Corp. on Wednesday requested that customers no longer carry guns in its stores.

The retailer found itself embroiled in controversy when gun-rights activists in Texas and several other states chose Target stores to demonstrate their belief in the right to openly bear arms. In response, the chain came under heavy fire from groups such as "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense" and others who expressed concern about firearms being carried into an environment where the shoppers are often accompanied by children.

Austin, Texas – Dining out appears to be a big part of consumers’ summer plans. According to two recent surveys of more than 1,000 adults conducted by digital offers provider RetailMeNot, respondents estimate on average they will eat out nearly every day of the week (six days) and likely nine times a week during vacation.

Ann Arbor, Mich. -- The use of mobile applications for shopping purposes doubled in the past year, with 41% of consumers actively using mobile apps while shopping, according to CFI Group’s Retail Satisfaction Barometer survey.

The study found that 67% of 18-34 year-olds use mobile apps during their shopping experience. While Millennials are typically the focus of retailers' mobile efforts, most consumers of all ages indicated that they have two to four shopping apps installed, proving that mobile isn't a generational-only trend.

San Jose, Calif. – Despite an 8.1% year-over-year drop in traffic and decline of one full conversion point, sales on Father’s Day (June 16) remained essentially flat. According to data from in-store analytics provider RetailNext, a 15.4% increase in average transaction value (ATV) helped sales grow 0.1%.

For the week leading up to Father’s Day, sales declined every day compared to the equivalent day a year earlier. Daily decreases ranged from a high of 10.3% on June 13 to a low of 4% on June 9.

Jeffersonville, Ind. - Almost three-quarters (72%) of consumers only want to socially interact with a brand when they first comment on social media channels. Findings from a new customer survey from Accent Marketing Services LLC also show that 75% of Millennials find it helpful when other customers/followers respond to a question or comment posted on a brand’s social media channel, compared to 55% of Baby Boomers.

WTI expects July 2014 to trend similar to last year for the U.S. as a whole. The East will trend near normal or cooler than normal, while warmer than normal temperatures will be confined to the West. Overall, the peak of the summer is shaping up to be very similar to 2013 but with a few major timing differences. Unlike 2013, the hotter weather in 2014 will be back-end loaded in the month just as back-to-school shopping begins, which is a negative for early fall apparel, but favorable for clearing out summer inventory.

Washington, D.C. — Walmart, along with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and WEConnect International, on Wednesday joined forces to establish a unique logo for retail packaging of products from women-owned businesses. The new logo will bring consumer recognition of products provided by women-owned businesses on store shelves both in the U.S. and international markets.