Consumer Attitudes & Behavior

Madison, Wis. -- A new report maps out the shape of Walmart's retail financial services footprint in the United States and Mexico. The study, The Blended Walmart Business Model, published by the Filene Research Institute and written by Robert Manning, PhD, knits together the many angles of Walmart's involvement in banking services: from its 2007 charter travails to its foray into Mexican banking and, most importantly, to its long-term strategy of providing financial services to ever more of its many customers -- with or without a formal bank charter.

Washington, D.C. -- Although the uncertain economy is still very much on their minds, Americans will increase holiday spending by approximately 1% this year as they shop less at discounters and focus more on quality and service, according to the National Retail Federation’s 2010 Holiday Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey.