Deloitte

NEW YORK — Inflation-related concerns will prompt back-to-school shoppers to utilize certain shopping tactics, including smartphone and social network use, to save this year.

NEW YORK — Rising food prices and shrinking package sizes is a top concern for consumers, according to Deloitte's "2011 Consumer Food and Product Insight Survey."

NEW YORK — The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index, which tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending, fell to 3.16% from an upwardly revised gain of 3.78% a month ago.

The index showed the largest single month decline since November 2007.

Deloitte said that the index, which is comprised of four components — including tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices — saw a drop due to "a sharp deterioration in real wages coupled with a rise in jobless claims."

NEW YORK — Consumers that seek timely and detailed information about product recalls look to multiple resources, according to a new Deloitte survey.

NEW YORK -- Concern about rising energy prices and higher medical costs has many Americans expecting to spend less in the months ahead, a recent Deloitte study revealed. Despite showing no signs of spending less in recent months, the Deloitte survey found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of Americans believe higher prices could slow their spending in the months ahead.  Deloitte's study also revealed that mobile and social connections are helping shoppers make savvier buying decisions in the wake of the recession.

NEW YORK -- The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index offered some hope that the economy is improving, however consumer spending not likely to reach pre-recession levels anytime soon. The Index, released Monday, rose in February, driven primarily by the slight improvements in real home prices and initial jobless claims, according to the company.

The Index attempts to track consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.

CHICAGO -- The Network of Executive Women,  the consumer products and retail industry’s largest diversity organization, has announced leadership changes. Joan Toth has been named president and CEO of the Network of Executive Wome. She has held the title of executive director since shortly after the Network was founded in 2001.

The Network’s top elected official--Michelle Gloeckler, SVP merchandising execution at Walmart Stores--has been named Network chair. She had previously served has president

Target director of owned brands Annie Zipfel is among those slated to participate in the fourth annual Network of Executive Women Multicultural Work force conference to be held March 1 to 3. With a theme of “Building Competencies, Growing Business,” the event will focus on the advantages of developing culturally competent organizations.