Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

Retailers are trying different tactics to coax customers who have abandoned carts to come back and complete their purchases. 52% of the surveyed merchants said that a reminder email was sent to customers who abandoned their cart; an image of the item left in the cart was displayed in 50% of the emails. Some type of incentive to complete the transaction was also provided in 20% of the emails.

Consumers are interested in healthy eating more than ever, and Mintel’s research reveals that approximately half (52%) of American adults are currently “watching” their diet. And while 60% report dieting because they want to lose weight, some 15% of dieters claim to be doing so at least in part because of concerns about “salt intake.” More than half (59%) of respondents “always” or “usually” limit salt consumption when at home.

Retailers often look to the younger generations to fuel their growth as they shop for goods and services they need for their growing households. Historically, younger consumers have been taste-makers as they make various brands and products their favorites. But the slow economic recovery is threatening this trend because the financial situation of many of today’s younger shoppers is strained and this new reality has implications for marketers.

Despite an increase in new car sales, the post-recession trend of consumers keeping their cars longer continues. This is a trend that bodes well for the automotive aftermarket and repair industry. According to The NPD Group, among consumers purchasing automotive products or repair services 59% report their purchase was for a car eight years or older and 19% purchased for a car 15 years and older.

Price-conscious consumers are doing more research online before making a purchase than ever before thanks to the battered U.S. economy. Those savings-savvy consumers will no doubt be helped by electronic circulars, which now rival their print counterparts in penetration. eMarketer estimates that there will be 92.5 million online coupon users by the end of 2012.

Despite a shopping list being a tool to stay on budget and eliminate unnecessary purchases, research shows that nine out of ten shoppers still buy items not on their list, according to new research from The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research. Of these shoppers who purchase off-list items, 66% say the reason was a sale or promotion, 30% say they found a coupon, and 23% say they simply wanted to pamper themselves.