eCommerce

New York - The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index reached its highest point since November 2013, rising to 4.5 from 4 the prior month. The Index tracks consumer cash flow as an indicator of future consumer spending.    The Index comprises four components – tax burden, initial unemployment claims, real wages and real home prices. Highlights include:   Tax Burden: The tax rate has been effectively unchanged from the previous month at 11.8%.  

Seattle – Amazon.com is partnering with retail shopping app provider Ibotta Inc. to enable Amazon shoppers to receive additional cash back on a range of products purchased directly on Amazon.com.  

Franklin, Tenn. - Vendors are leaving billions on the table because they forget to market to the chief marketing officer (CMO) rather than just the CIO and IT department.  According to a new study from IHL Group, “Hidden Treasure – The CMO’s Budget in Retail,” in 2015, the amount of IT purchased through the CMO’s budget will amount to $7.5 billion in North America.  

Bentonville, Ark. – “Super Saturday,” the Saturday before Christmas (Dec. 20), looks to be a super day for retailers. According to an in-store customer survey conducted by Wal-Mart Stores Inc. on Dec. 13, 36% of consumers plan to shop that day.  

Grand Rapids, Mich. - Meijer made the holidays very merry for 213 unsuspecting customers recently when those shoppers received a big surprise upon checkout – their entire shopping cart filled with gifts and groceries given to them as a holiday gift.

During the “Very Merry Meijer” event, one customer at each of the retailer's 213 stores across the Midwest was randomly selected on Dec. 13 to receive their purchases free.

Los Angeles - When it comes to making online selections, Christmas shoppers are better late than never. A survey released by Bizrate Insights, a division of Connexity, found that many shoppers are still making online holiday purchases, even though there are only a few days left before Christmas. In fact, only 17% of shoppers have finished their Christmas shopping.  

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – Consumers who haven’t started their holiday shopping yet have a friend in Sears. Sears, Roebuck & Co. will offer multiple sales events starting on Dec. 19, and announced Dec. 22 as the last day to order online and receive by Christmas.   

Seattle – Manhattan residents have the opportunity to receive Amazon deliveries faster than even before.