MARKETING/SOCIAL MEDIA

QVC is merging augmented reality technologies, broadcast and mobile to create a more immersive beauty shopping experience.   

When it comes to sticking on budget, millennial parents prefer in-store shopping over digital commerce for back-to-school purchases.   Sixty-five percent of millennial parents believe shopping in-store enables them to more effectively remain within budget goals compared to shopping online, according to a study commissioned by Citi Retail Services. These parents plan to do the majority, 72% on average, of back-to-school shopping in a store rather than online this year.   

Back-to-school advertising appears to be losing some of its resonance with consumers.    Walmart, Target and Old Navy scored the highest awareness levels among consumers (with children under the age of 18) in a survey of BTS advertising from 30 retailers by YouGov BrandIndex. But many retailers scored less than last year.   

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores is changing the way it connects with shoppers.    Coinciding with efforts to “modernize” its brand, the arts and crafts retailer is adopting mobile technology as a means of fostering collaboration and enhancing the shopping experience. Jo-Ann’s new mobile app will enable users to shop for supplies, find project ideas, redeem mobile coupons, and find and share project “How-To’s.”  

U.S. consumer sentiment rose to its highest level since January in early August, reflecting optimism in the overall economy and in personal financial prospects.     The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index rose to 97.6 in the first half of August from 93.4 in July, which was an eight-month low.  Economists estimated the index would hit 94 in August.   

Facebook is getting in on the “daily deals” game.   The social media giant is teaming up with eBay to bolster third-party sales. Through the collaboration, Facebook’s Marketplace service — a section on its mobile app — now features a selection of inventory from eBay’s Daily Deals program, according to TechCrunch.   

When it comes to being loyal to a retailer or brand, the majority of U.S. consumers are swayed by their pocketbooks.    Nine out of 10 (92%) loyal customers rank price and value as the top factor in driving loyalty to specific retailers, followed by product/quality (79%) and variety/selection (71%), according to the International Council of Shopping Centers’ survey on brand loyalty.