Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

With nearly all Mass Affluent consumers (about 90%) using social media, it’s not surprising that their expectations for financial institutions on social media have moved beyond simply having a presence. A new study by LinkedIn suggests this group may prove a key market for financial institutions. In order to provide value and differentiate from competitors, companies must now enable financial solutions through the content and service that Mass Affluent seek on relevant social channels.

As an old media format, radio struggled to maintain revenue levels in the first quarter of 2013. But, a bright spot for the industry is digital. Advertisers are excited about the prospect of reaching consumers through digital radio, especially when stations make it easier to increase marketer influence by connecting on social media.

Whether women opt to do their own nails or go the salon route, nail care has an option to appeal to every age. More than half of women, age 18+, have purchased nail products for at-home use or professional nail services in the past year, according to The NPD Group. And in the past year, women spent an average of $204 for salon services, which is almost six times more than what they spent on at-home products.

Consumers use tablets similar to the way they use a PC—to compare products and buy, a new study says. They use smartphones for quick actions like checking a price or finding a store. According to the new study from Adobe Systems, online shoppers are three times more likely to make a purchase on a tablet compared with a smartphone.

This year, more than 52 million – a massive 46% of all households – have plans to buy furniture and bedding products. Bedding was the most frequently bought category in 2012, followed by stationary sofas and recliners, according to Furniture Today’s “2013 Consumer Buying Trends Survey.” If consumers follow through with their buying plans, these categories will remain strong.

While the U.S. men’s apparel market only grew 1% in 2012 with total sales of $57 billion, men added more colorful casual wear to their wardrobe. According to new research from The NPD Group, men continue to invest in ‘dressing-down,’ spending on colorful socks and active bottoms. Off-price retailers are benefiting from an increase in men’s casual apparel, presently growing even faster than the overall market.