Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Lewisville, Texas -- Consumer deal-seeking is here to stay, according to a new report by Parago. The study, Shopper Trend Report: Values, Deals & How Far They’re Willing To Go To Get Them, provides a comprehensive look at the entire deal landscape, from traditional clipped coupons to mobile applications. It finds that deal-finding has evolved from a necessity for cash-strapped consumers to an attractive, trendy activity that all shoppers now pursue. It also examines how these trends will likely continue to affect shopper behavior.

Indianapolis -- More than half of U.S. consumers who’ve made at least one purchase on their smartphone have done so based on a marketing message delivered via mobile email, according to a new study by ExactTarget.

While calling, texting and emailing remain the most frequent daily activities for smartphone users, the study found consumers are increasingly using their smartphones for more than the basics.


Key findings of the research include:

Washington, D.C. -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence reached its highest level in 10 weeks, thanks to falling gas prices and despite a 9.1% unemployment rate.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index increased to minus 43.9 for the period ended June 26, after dropping to minus 44.9 the prior week. According to the report, falling fuel costs are reducing consumer stress.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart announced that it will offer customers savings of 10 cents a gallon on all fuel, gas and diesel at participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations.  The reduction is part of a 90-day Rollback program.

New York City -- Many retailers are not satisfied with their ability to meet customer expectations for a seamless cross-channel experience, according to a survey conducted by Edge Research for Sterling Commerce, an IBM company.

The survey revealed several significant gaps between what consumers want and what retailers are currently delivering. A retailer’s ability to meet consumer expectations -- and deliver a seamless, cross-channel experience -- will be the deciding factor in their ability to survive in the age of the empowered consumer.

Leveraging the social and mobile channels to present a unified cross-channel experience is one of the keys to maximizing online holiday sales this year, according to the IBM Coremetrics Fourth Annual Online Retail Holiday Readiness Report.

Matthews, N.C. -- Family Dollar Stores' third-quarter net income increased 6.5% as broader markdowns drew more store traffic. Its results, however, fell short of analysts' expectations.

For the quarter ended May 28, Family Dollar had net income of $111.1 million, compared with $104.4 million a year earlier.

Revenue was up 8% to $2.15 billion. Same-store sales rose 4.7%.

Family Dollar said sales were strongest in consumables and home products.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores is cutting gas prices by 10-cents a gallon for three months to help consumers worried about their spending amid a sputtering economy and busy summer travel season. The chain said that customers visiting participating Murphy USA and Walmart gas stations in 18 states through Sept. 30 will receive a discount on all fuel, gas and diesel purchases when they use a reloadable Walmart gift card, Walmart MoneyCard or a Walmart credit card.

PORT WASHINGTON, NEW YORK — Women are the majority spenders in the juvenile products market, accounting for 77% of total dollars spent, while nearly half of all dollars spent come from parents buying for their own children, according to The NPD Group.

Buyers ages 25 to 44 account for 57% of dollars spent on juvenile products, while more than half (55%) of the dollars spent in the juvenile products market comes from occasion-based shopping such as childbirth, baby showers, and adoption.

San Francisco -- Survey results released Tuesday by online customer experience management firm Tealeaf and conducted by Econsultancy showed that nearly 23% of online revenue is lost annually by U.S. companies due to poor online customer experiences.