Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

WASHINGTON — A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.

Washington, D.C. -- A survey released Thursday by the National Retail Federation found that nearly one third of tablet owners will use the device to purchase back-to-school items.

According to NRF’s 2011 Back-to-School and College surveys conducted by BIGresearch, consumers with smartphones and tablets will use their devices to research products, redeem coupons, look up store information, and even make purchases.

There was a lot of talk about the favorable membership trends Sam’s Club experienced during the second quarter, thanks to membership and other income that increased 2.5% to $728 million. That prompted Wal-Mart Stores Inc., president and CEO Mike Duke to include Sam’s Club among the list of positive developments he called out regarding the company’s second quarter performance.

“I am also pleased with the momentum in membership income, as Sam’s improves its renewals and upgrades,” Duke said.

PHOENIX — While consumers may be cutting back, it appears most don't feel buying items for their pets falls into the category of discretionary spending. Just look at  PetSmart, which reported that earnings per share soared 32% to 54 cents for the second quarter, compared with earnings per share of 41 cents for the same period last year. Net income totaled $61 million in the second quarter of 2011, compared to $48 million in the second quarter of 2010.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. reported Wednesday that earnings for the second quarter rose 3.7%, boosted by same-store sales growth and beating Wall Street expectations.

The retailer posted a profit of $704 million for the quarter ended July 30, compared with $679 million in the year-ago period. Revenue rose 4.6% to $16.24 billion, besting analysts’ expected $16.17 billion. Same-store sales rose 3.9%.

ARLINGTON, Va. — More than one-quarter of U.S. retailers lack a mobile presence, according to new research conducted by 2ergo.

Based on data collected from 161 retailers across six categories, 2ergo found that only 58% of retailers have not optimized a mobile website and just half of them are offering consumers one smartphone application for either Android, Blackberry or iPhone devices. Among them, 7% of these top retailers have launched applications for all three platforms, 2ergo noted.

New York City -- Monday, Aug. 15, is the deadline to complete the Chain Store Age/Forest City/Alexander Babbage social media survey, designed to find out what retailers nationwide are doing in terms of social, mobile and other digital media initiatives.

By completing the survey, you will automatically be entered to win a free iPad! Results of the survey will be published in the October issue of Chain Store Age.

Click here to take the survey.