Research Topic

See’s Candies to open new stores in The Golden State
A specialty retailer continues to expand its breadth. See’s Candies plans to open nearly a dozen new or relocated stores by the end of 2017. All new locations will set up shop in California. The new stores will be located in San Jose, Castro Valley, Manhattan Beach, Paso Robles, Laguna Hills, Glendale and Calabasas. The new locations come on the heels of new shops that have previously opened or moved this year into new or larger locations in Escondido, Windsor and Pleasant Hill, California.
Study: Most consumers believe their payment data is at risk
Consumers across the globe agree that volume of criminals trying to steal their credit and debit card data is increasing — and retailers aren’t equipped to fight back. This was according to “Consumer Payment Card Data Security Perceptions, from Transaction Network Services (TNS). The study interviewed 1,037 U.S. adults, 1,002 Australian adults, and 1,010 U.K. adults between May 4-May 8.

Study: Consumers are reigning in back-to-school budgets, visits

Families are keeping back-to-school shopping — and spending — simple. Nearly two-thirds of families budgeted $250 or less for all their back-to-school needs, with only a quarter indicating they will spend between $251 and $500. With tight budgets, families are focusing on price and selection when it comes to buying goods for their youngsters.
Study: Optimistic buzz connected to Amazon, Whole Foods Market deal

Customers that shop at both Amazon and Whole Foods Market are the most upbeat about the online giant’s purchase of the natural foods grocer. This was according to a new GfK report that was conducted among 1,000 US adults (ages 18 and above) using KnowledgePanel, the company’s probability-based online panel that represents the adult U.S. population. Responses were collected from June 23-26.
Study: Brick-and-mortar retailers feel Prime Day fallout

Prime Day 2017 was Amazon’s biggest event yet. But the shopping marathon took a significant toll on brick-and-mortar traffic.
Study: Majority of back-to-school shopping will happen in-store

Consumers are in search of the latest back-to-school deals and experiences — and hitting their local shopping centers to find them. This was according to the annual “ICSC Back-to-School Spending” survey. The report from the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), which was conducted between July 6-July 9, is based on a sample of 1,010 U.S. adults, 18 years of age and older.
MarineMax revenue, comp sales sink in Q3

Softness in larger product categories and unseasonal weather in the Northeast dampened MarineMax’s third quarter earnings. For the third quarter ended June 30, MarineMax’s revenues declined to $329.8 million from $345.6 million for the same period last year. This missed Wall Street’s expectations of $383.01 million.
Study: Loyalty programs need a digital boost

Expensive, ineffective loyalty programs are in need of a makeover. Retailers that shift to digital-centric programs that engage and promote brand advocacy will retain the loyalty of customers, according to the “Intelligence Report: Loyalty 2017.” The report, from L2, evaluates the successes and pitfalls of loyalty programs for 99 consumer brands across activewear, beauty, big box, department stores, and specialty retail.
Deloitte: Back-to-college spend to outpace back-to-school sales two-fold

Retailers who fail to promote back-to-college offers and savings this year do so at their own peril.
HRC: Discounter tops with Gen Z for back-to-school shopping

Gen Z shoppers are gearing up to hit the stores for back-to-school purchases — and their top destination is Walmart. Thirty-six percent of boys and girls cite Walmart as their first choice for back-to-school shopping, more than double that of any other retailer, according to a survey conducted by strategic retail advisory firm HRC Retail Advisory.
Survey: Fast response times critical to customer experience and brand loyalty

Retailers who frustrate consumers risk brand abandonment. Almost half of North American and European consumers surveyed by the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council say they will abandon a brand if they continuously encounter a poor, impersonal or frustrating customer experience across channels of engagement. The study was undertaken in partnership with SAP Hybris.
Study: Mobile, social media promotions top back-to-school investments

Besides exceeding their 2016 efforts, retailers’ back-to-school marketing investments are going digital this year. This was according to the “2017 Retailer and Consumer Back-to-School Insights Guide,” a report from RetailMeNot. The study, which was conducted June 6-12, tapped 1,000 U.S. consumers aged 18 and over about their back-to-school spending and deal-seeking goals.