retail
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Recession Briefing 12.24: Americans Are on the Move
What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.
In a sign of the recession’s power to reshape established demographic trends, the new census figures show that growth has slowed substantially in Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina, while in Florida, Nevada and California, more Americans moved out than in. (New York Times)
Ahead of the recession, some banks — including Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank and Morgan Stanley — sold complex securities known as synthetic collateralized debt obligations and then made financial bets against them. As a result, they made money while their clients lost out. (New York Times)
At a lot of fancy restaurants these days, surprisingly little has changed in terms of food quality, price and service since the recession struck. So what’s missing? The diners. (Chicago Tribune)…
Don’t Close Your Business, Change It
When Amy Lechelt-Basta opened her clothing boutique on Chicago’s north side in 2006, sales were strong and business was bustling. But by this past summer, things had deteriorated so rapidly that she had to close up shop. However, all was not lost, because she transitioned her skills and expertise selling clothes into a consulting business that advises individuals on their wardrobes. Take a lesson from Lechelt-Basta: When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.
If you’re one of the many business owners whose companies have been pummeled by the economy this year, you don’t have to throw the baby out with the bath water. Even if you think you’ve hit the end of your resources and are considering bankruptcy as the only option, you probably still have some tricks up your sleeve; find the hidden strengths in your business and needs of your clients and you’ll find a new market opportunity…
Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Tips
There are just days left in the holiday shopping season, and that means your marketing efforts are getting a lot more intense. But the new rules for the changed economy say no business owners should have to unload a huge chunk of their earnings into a holiday season marketing program, even though they might have spent this way in the old days … and even if their businesses lean a lot on this time of year. So which low-cost marketing strategies yield the best results?
The following strategies represent some recession-friendly, creative ways to market your company over the next few holiday weeks…
Recession Briefing 11.9: Reuse, Recycle, Regift?
What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.
More Americans are planning on regifting, or passing on a gift they got from someone else, according to a poll. A total of 36% of U.S. adults said they would recycle a gift this year, compared with 31% last year and 24% in 2007. (Los Angeles Times)
Make-up sales have risen despite the recession as women aim to look their best without breaking the bank on clothes and shoes, new figures show. (Telegraph)
A $25 billion nationwide push to improve the energy efficiency of buildings will likely not be felt until well into next year, potentially undermining the job-creating aim of the stimulus. (Washington Post)
Looking for Holiday Savings? Try Pop-Ups
Throughout 2009, malls across the country have been battered by the downturn, struggling to stay afloat amidst a record number of store closures and a high rate of retail vacancies. Now that the holiday season is nearing, though, those same vacancies are turning out to be a benefit for some retail companies. Loosened lease terms and lowered rental rates on retail spaces have created a perfect storm for a myriad of companies planning to open temporary “pop up” stores this holiday season…
Recession Briefing 10.29: Your Cash for Their Clunkers
What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.
The “Cash for Clunkers” program cost taxpayers approximately $24,000 for each extra vehicle sold when you factor in the cars which would have likely been sold anyway in the second half of 2009. (CNN/Money)
Remarkably, there has been a decline in deaths during the recession. The truth, little known but well documented, is that death rates decline and healthy living habits improve in tough economic times. (Fortune)
The economy grew at a 3.5 percent pace in the third quarter, the best showing in two years, fueled by government-supported spending on cars and homes. It was the strongest signal yet the economy entered a new phase of recovery. (AP)…
Recession Briefing 7.24
What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.
Sure, Christmas is still five months away, but some stores apparently believe it’s not too soon to prepare for what’s likely to be another difficult holiday-sales season. (Seattle Times)
Jobless checks for millions of people have been delayed as states struggle with exhausted benefits funds. (New York Times)
Hope is building for the economy as positive reports continue to pile up. (Washington Post)…
Recession Briefing 7.9
What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.
“Our first stimulus bill … was sort of like taking half a tablet of Viagra and having also a bunch of candy mixed in,” said Warren Buffett, backing the idea of another stimulus package. (ABC News)
While parents may scrimp on their own clothing allowances during the recession, they won’t on their baby’s, making basic baby apparel one of the most defensive discretionary consumer categories in the economic downturn. (Wall Street Journal)
The free and cheap daytime activities at Seattle’s Recession Camp are designed to bring summer camp-style socializing to unemployed adults. (KOMO News)
In this climate it isn’t difficult to imagine that some museums are looking to the works on their walls (or more likely in the their collection vaults) as a possible solution to to their financial problems. Should they? (Chicago Now)…
Signs of the Recession: Retail Propportunity
This is clever: Empty retail space at West 13th Street and Sixth Avenue in Manhattan was Cosi until sometime last summer, became a pop-up store for Ricky’s at Halloween time, and now, while awaiting interested new tenants, its empty windows are used as billboard space.
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