Content about Marketing

From 2000 to 2010, the U.S. Hispanic population surged 43%, far surpassing U.S. Census estimates.  With a growth rate more than four times that of the entire country, and an expected 2015 purchasing power well in excess of $1.25 trillion, the U.S. Hispanic population is a key market segment for retailers and consumer packaged goods companies seeking to expand their domestic customer base. The most successful companies will be those that can effectively engage these consumers and develop enduring brand loyalty.  

MCLEAN, Va. — Consumer packaged goods brands that dedicate a share of their overall marketing resources to the ever-growing Hispanic market prompted about one-third of their overall revenue growth, according to a study from the Association of Hispanic Advertising Agencies.

ILKLEY, WEST YORKSHIRE, U.K. — Morrisons, the large U.K.-based supermarket chain, wanted to get closer to its customers. The result was M Local, its new 3,000-sq.-ft., freestanding, convenience food format. In developing the new store, Morrisons identified four key issues U.K. customers have with convenience stores: lack of fresh food options; poor overall quality and value; difficult to shop; and poorly stocked.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Retail Industry Leaders Association, in partnership with Auburn University and with sponsorship from Accenture, on Wednesday released the third annual State of The Retail Supply Chain report.

@RILAtweets will moderate a live Twitter chat March 7 from 12 noon to 1 p.m. EST via #RILAchat to discuss the report findings.

LOS ANGELES — More than 51% of consumers plan to spend the same amount of money in 2012 as in the previous year, according to a 2012 Shopping Outlook survey conducted by PriceGrabber.

While more than half of the survey respondents said they plan to spend the same amount of money as they did last year, 21% indicated they plan to spend more, and 28% plan to spend less.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Pharmacy and identical-store sales were identified as positives for Safeway, which discussed its fourth-quarter results with analysts on Thursday.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Publix was one of the highest-ranked brick-and-mortar retailers in a report released Tuesday by the American Customer Satisfaction Index. While supermarkets overall are up 1.3% to 76, Publix remains the grocer to beat, with a score of 84.

Other highly ranked traditional retailers include Costco with an ACSI score of 83 (+1%) and Sam’s Club at 81 (+4%).

DAYTON, Ohio — While Walmart maintained the No. 1 position on Interbrand's "U.S. Most Valuable Retail Brands" list for 2012, several other retailers are moving up the ranks.

Although Walmart touts a value that's more than $139 billion, this year also marked a 2% decrease for the big box retailer, Interbrand said. Second on this year's list was Target, which holds a value of $23 billion, a 1% increase over last year.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Retailers have always been about enhancing the shopping experience, but there are two factors this year that really should underscore the importance in that customer focus. Differentiating a retail shopping trip by experience is a lot friendlier to the margins because a shopper willing to trade on shopping experience also is willing to spend a little more.

WASHINGTON — Retailers are set to build customer engagement by investing in information technology and e-commerce, as well as enhancing customer service initiatives and building on mobile platforms, a new report from the National Retail Federation and KPMG found.

NEW YORK — The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus on Monday reported Direct Digital, marketer of Instaflex, has supported certain advertising claims made in print and online.

Instaflex is formulated with 1,500 mg glucosamine sulfate, 500 mg methylsulfonylmethane, 250 mg ginger root extract and 4 mg hyaluronic acid. Direct Digital had claimed that Instaflex could relieve and comfort joints and increase flexibility, among other claims.

CHICAGO — According to “Merchandising Trends: Driving Consumption through Shopper Marketing,” a new report published earlier this week by SymphonyIRI Group, merchandising continues to play an important role at retail. In 2011, 47% of consumer packaged goods categories enjoyed increased merchandising support, including displays, feature ads, feature and display combined, and price reduction only.