Idiomatic Expressions
One of the myths of marketing to Hispanics is that messaging needs tobe in Spanish. It turns out that 83% of Hispanic online shoppers surveyed by retail data consultants Adroit Digital claim to speak mainly English at home, and 90% say they are more likely to respond to English language ads online. That includes 93% of Millennials surveyed.
Obstacles to Active
While it’s nice to think that folks would be more active if they could only find the time, a survey from Parks Associates suggests that a lack of motivation is the bigger issue. The top obstacles to exercising, according to respondents who said they find it difficult to exercise routinely, had more to do with a shortage of desire than a shortage of schedule space.
Specialty’s Stand
Snowsports specialty retailers have been able to hold their ground against the onslaught of online and alternate channels. During the past several years, ski and snowboard specialty stores consistently account for about a third of all snowsports apparel and equipment sales, and more than a third of accessories sales. The most recent season was no different, show SIA figures.
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Percent of all returns that take place during the holiday season, according to supply chain company Optoro. While many retailers see a 5 to 10 percent return rate on in-store purchases, the return rate for online purchases is typically 10 to 15 percent, says Tobin Moore, company CEO. For apparel brands, experts say the online return rate can be 20 to 30 percent.
Retail Not Rentals
Consumers apparently are getting more comfortable with thedishonest practice of “wardrobing,” or the return of used or non-defective merchandise. While most areas of return fraud are slowing or are flat during the past few years (presumably due mostly to new supply chain technologies), incidents of wardrobing have increased somewhat significantly, retailers tell the National Retail Federation.
Email’s Last Stand
It is likely email eventually goes the way of landline phones, but for now email remains the favored way for retailers to reach out to customers. Among the 50% of consumers who are open to receiving coupons and offers, email is far and away the preferred channel, shows a survey from MessageSystems and Google Surveys.
Bigger Tent
Either industry diversity efforts are beginning to show results, or outdoor participation is simply catching up with greater U.S. demographic trends. Regardless, minority groups account for larger percentages of outdoor participants than they did five or so years ago, show OIA figures.
Wearable Tipping Point?
Ipsos MediaCT pollsters believe wearable technology is approaching a “tipping point,” as the vast majority of North Americans are at least somewhat familiar with the category of mobile devices. Julia Roland, Ipsos vice president, sees two key characteristics influencing buyers in the wearable space: consumers are looking for a product that seamlessly integrates with smartphones, laptops and tablets, etc., while seven in 10 purchase intenders indicate that they will only choose a brand they trust.
