Consumer Analytics

Consumers are taking an increasingly varied path to purchase for tech accessories. According to the Second Annual Accessories at Retail study from the Consumer Electronic Association (CEA), almost two-thirds of U.S. consumers (62%) and more than three-quarters of millennials (77%) now go online via computer or mobile device to learn about tech accessories before making a purchase decision.

However, fewer U.S. consumers are making their final purchases online using a computer (30%) or mobile (7%).

Apple Pay is significantly outdoing other contactless payment methods in at least one important area. According to the latest Contactless Payment Index results from eDigitalResearch, 51% of Apple Pay users are extremely satisfied, compared to 32% of contactless card users who said the same

Social media plays an important role in the grocery shopping process. According to a new study from market research firm Packaged Facts, “Retail Food Marketing Trends in the U.S.: Technology, Mobile, and Social Media,” a majority of grocery store shoppers use social media to get recipes (59%).

Holiday sales will increase between 3.5% and 4%, slower than last year’s 5.2% growth, as favorable economic tailwinds are offset by lingering negatives, according to an annual forecast by Deloitte’s Retail and Distribution Practice.

Even though Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, a National Retail Federation consumer survey projects spending will decline compared to last year.

Membership buying club DirectBuy is taking its direct sales model to a new level of directness. The retailer has launched the My DirectBuy mobile app.

The iOS and Android app allows DirectBuy to search for products, browse promotions, and place and track orders on the companion My DirectBuy website.

Kohl’s has been busy on the omnichannel front during 2015, and the retailer is now taking its efforts into high gear.

On Tuesday, the retailer announced several new omnichannel shopping tools, and said it will also pilot same-day delivery in select markets.

Marketing experts routinely advise retailers to send customers notifications, such as emails and texts, informing them of discounts or following up on purchases and site visits. But such notifications may be doing more harm than good.