---

Guest post by: John Clark Become an Author

Tweet

---

---

In this competitive retail environment, retailers have their eyes fixed directly on the latest trends in consumer spending. Staying one step ahead of the ever changing retail landscape is a top priority. 2011 consumer retail trends include a slight increase in consumer spending, while unemployment and wages have remained stagnant. With mixed messages like those, marketers are paying closer attention to the needs of their consumers. One immediate result is an increased attention to customer service. According to RetailingWithConfidence.com, recently popular coupon promotions are so overdone, there's even a reality TV show focused on the practice. The only way to discount from that point is to give products away free. And that brings us to another trend of 2011, freebies. Cash strapped consumers love a free give-away. Not only do freebie promotions expose brands to potential new customers, they create something marketers value even more - a relationship with their customer.

Other 2011 consumer retail trends include increased use of technology. Smart phones are becoming the bridge between consumers and retailers. They have become walking GPS systems for customer hungry retailers. Through the consumer's phone, a marketer can convey advertising messages, temporary discounts and even search the customer's past purchases to alert them to new items or sales they might be interested in. Retailers can even target customers whenever the GPS in their phones indicate they're in the vicinity of the store.

At the register, the same smart phone takes the place of the historic coupon, carrying the coupon code in the message. And if that weren't enough, the smart phone is also the customer's credit card. One swipe over the checkout pad and the payment is automatically made.

While smart phones and an increased demand for attention to customer needs aren't the only 2011 consumer retail trends, they are the most important. Spending, costs and retail foot traffic appear to be an extension of 2010 where consumers earned less, spent less and were frugal about their purchases. Finding out what customers need and want, coupled with making it easier for them to find, is the trend for 2011.

Related Articles

  2011 Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing Trends
  Retail Consumer Spending In 2011
  Marketing Mix For Retail Consumer Packaged Goods
  Franchising Outlook Report Offers Further Proof 2011 is the Year to Become a Franchise Owner
  Strong Retail Sales Offer a Bright Outlook for 2011
  The Benefits of Consumer Contract Financing Part 2
  Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing - Retail Freebies
  Using Retail Freebies for Consumer Packaged Goods Marketing
  Lift Foot Traffic and Retail Sales With Freebie Marketing
  PoP (Point of Purchase) Visual Merchandising
  The Benefit of Consumer Receivable Financing
  Interview with John Clark
  Calculate the Cost of Shoplifting and Employee Theft
  How to find perfect retail jobs tips
  Landmark Group officially launches the first Centrepoint in City Mall
  The Benefits of Consumer Contract Financing Part 3
  Using Freebies To Leverage Retail Brands
  Wills Lifestyle to franchise in smaller towns, opens 6 stores
  Social Media for Retail Marketers
  Indicators of retailers’ health improving

Referred by: http://www.saveonquotes.com

Related Forum Posts

Happy Worker as of Dec 31 2007
Merry Christmas everyone!
Re: "Diversity" Is Costing Us Dearly!
Re: Avon/ Amway
Re: Your weapon for success

Share this article. Fund someone's dream.

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Leading with Discernment

Five Positive Traits to Enhance Flexibility

Should You Hire a Temp or a Virtual Assistant?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.