Deloitte

What a difference 30, 20 or even 10 years make when it comes to consumer behavior. Thirty years ago, “24x7 shopping” meant mail-order catalogs. Smartphones, tablets and social media were barely part of the discussion 10 years ago. While observers attribute the rapid pace of change to technological advances, biology may play an equally important role. Scientists have observed that the human brain is incredibly plastic, even in adulthood, constantly adapting to trauma and environmental shifts.

Robert Howard is the newest partner in the Retail and Consumer Products Group at management consulting firm Kurt Salmon.

Target’s second quarter just ended and if the dourest of back-to-school spending forecasts proves correct the company’s expectations for same-store sale growth in the range of 2% to 3% could prove optimistic and its third quarter outlook could come under pressure.

New York -- Consumers continue to hold tight to their purse strings and will rely heavily on online and mobile channels while they shop, according to Deloitte’s annual “Back-to-School” and “Back-to-College” surveys. 

Shoppers are far more optimistic about the economy than this time last year. Nearly four in 10 (37%) are more confident in the economy’s prospects, compared with just one-quarter (26%) a year ago. 

Price, location and selection fade as real differentiators

Remember when retail gurus used to say that when it came down to it, retail strategy was all about location, location, location? Location still matters, but not as much as it used to. With the explosion of online retail, brick-and-mortar retail strategies are changing. But it's not just location that has receded in importance. Price and selection don't matter as much anymore either.

New York – Improvements in real home prices, initial unemployment claims and real wages drove an increase in the Deloitte Consumer Spending Index last month. The Index, which comprises four components of tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices, rose slightly in May to 4.27 from a reading of 4.12 the previous month.

Atlanta -- A just-released report by Jones Lang LaSalle Retail found that three trends — in retail investing, retail expansion and e-commerce — are making national borders increasingly irrelevant to the retail industry. According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s “Global Capital Flows,” retail investment captured 25% of the total global market share of real estate investment in first quarter 2013.

Plano, Texas — Crossmark, a leading sales and marketing services company, has appointed Jim Rose as president of marketing services. 

The company sees the addition of Rose to its leadership team as a significant step toward bolstering its strong position and expertise in marketing services.

“We are excited to have Jim join our team to lead the further development and integration of marketing services that deliver value and growth for our clients,” said CEO Joe Crafton.

New York -- Survey results by Deloitte, released Tuesday, found that even as the economy improves, 94% of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level.

According to Deloitte's 2013 American Pantry Study, 92% indicated they have become more resourceful, and 86% say they are getting more precise in what they buy -- attitudes that have remained consistent in the three years Deloitte has conducted the study, and across income levels.

NEW YORK — According to survey results by Deloitte, 94% of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level, despite an improving economy.

Deloitte's 2013 American Pantry Study found that 92% of Americans said they have become more resourceful, and 86% say they are getting more precise in what they buy — attitudes that have remained consistent in the three years Deloitte has conducted the study, and across income levels.