Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

By Ajay Joshi, [email protected]

Oak Brook, Ill. -- Ace Hardware ranked highest in customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 U.S. Home Improvement Retailer Store Satisfaction Study. Ace has taken the top spot ever since J.D. Powers began researching the home improvement category six years ago.

By Sam Khalilieh, [email protected]

Study after study has concluded that adding doors to medium temperature coolers (MTC) is a great solution for a variety of issues that plague grocery retailers. Whether looking at energy use, operational costs, product safety, or consumer comfort, there is no down side to adding doors. So why do so many overlook this very basic approach? This question has been puzzling me for a long time.

Chicago -- Survey results released Thursday by WorkInRetail.com found that about one-third (32%) of retail hiring managers use social networking sites to research job candidates.

The new survey from WorkInRetail.com – CareerBuilder’s job site for retail professionals, found that of the retail employers who do not research candidates on social media, 16% said their company prohibits the practice. Nine percent report they do not currently use social media to screen, but plan to start.

New York -- Survey results released Wednesday by Brand Keys revealed that 90% of consumers plan to celebrate Mother’s Day. Total spending is estimated to reach nearly $17.2 billion, according to the annual Brand Keys Mother’s Day survey.

Celebrants intend to spend an average of $163 this year, up 10% over 2011. Men, following a long-time pattern, intend to spend more than women, reporting an anticipated average spend of $190. Women anticipate spending $136.

With 24 million unique visitors during March, Target.com was ranked 47th on the comScore Media Metrix listing of the top 50 U.S. Web properties for March. That’s an improvement from March 2011 when Target didn’t crack the top 50. The only other conventional retailer in the top 50 was 25th ranked Walmart.com with 39 million unique visitors. It was ranked 33rd last year with 31.7 million unique visitors in March.
 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Big Lots has lowered its comparable-store guidance for its first quarter, and now expects them to be slightly negative compared with its prior guidance issued on March 2. The company's prior guidance estimated first-quarter comps would be up 2% to 4%.

Port Washington, N.Y. -- Price trumps sales and special deals, customer service, and convenience as a factor in deciding where to shop for the majority of U.S. consumers, according to a survey by The NPD Group.