Consumer Analytics

New York City -- A report released Thursday by Bloomberg said that consumer confidence in the United States slumped last week to the second-lowest level on record.

The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index dropped to minus 53 in the period ended Sept. 25 from minus 52.1 the prior week. Similar readings were reached three times in the first half of 2009 and surpassed only by all-time lows of minus 54 plumbed in November 2008 and again in January 2009.

Leawood, Kan. -- Epay, a division of electronic payments provider Euronet Worldwide, said Thursday it has forged an exclusive agreement to process prepaid mobile airtime transactions in the independent retail segment for Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile USA and Assurance Wireless.

These no-contract wireless brands are owned by Sprint.

Worcester, England -- A survey released Thursday by Postcode Anywhere revealed that online security concerns, long forms and enforced sign-up are the three things most likely to make consumers abandon online purchases.

One thousand U.K. consumers were asked to name the top three reasons they might abandon their shopping online. Security concerns topped the poll, with 50% of consumers rating the factor among their top turn-offs.

Encinitas, Calif. -- U.K. retailer ASDA Stores Ltd., a division of Wal-Mart, will roll out Single Touch Systems’ mobile-based Grocery Delivery Notification Program. It is Single Touch’s first business win outside the United States.”

New York City -- A Bloomberg report on Tuesday said that Borders Group has garnered court approval for the sale of its intellectual property to Barnes & Noble after a recent question about privacy issues was resolved.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn in Manhattan approved the transaction after reviewing new terms between Borders and Barnes & Noble that will protect the privacy rights of 48 million customers.

By Shaun Ryan, CEO, SLI Systems and Mike Hill, executive VP, Guidance Solutions

Atlanta -- The prepaid gift card market remained healthy in the first half of 2011, experiencing a higher rate of growth than U.S. consumer spending despite the sluggish macroeconomic environment. That’s one finding of a new analysis on the U.S. gift card market from First Data Advisors.

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — New research from Nielsen shows consumers will be practical and focused on value during the upcoming holiday season, which bodes well for Target as one on the nation’s leading toy retailers and top destination for gift givers.

Target’s website was among the 50 most heavily trafficked U.S. web properties during August, according to comScore Media Metrix. The online measurement service showed Target.com with 26.5 million unique visitors for the month, which earned it the 46th position on the list.