Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

The summer travel season may be winding down but consumers are already making plans for the busy holiday season and into January of next year. Much of today’s leisure travel is planned through online resources, either from a consumer’s home computer or at work. And these online consumers are exhibiting distinct preferences by age group which travel providers should consider as they seek to target potential customers.

As retailers gear up for the busy fourth quarter, many hope that the recent stock market turbulence will not prevent the strong end-of-year performance retailers have become accustomed to. In 2010, retail ecommerce sales jumped from $39.2 billion to $53.2 billion between the third and fourth quarters, according to The U.S. Department of Commerce. Retailers will have the next few months to woo deal-minded shoppers with holiday bargains.

Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Butchers and Meat Markets. The following are the predicted Top 3 Opportunities/Challenges from the report for this industry for the upcoming 12 months:

Generation X bridges traditional and digital media usage and its members are virtually always connected, thanks to mobile devices. Gen Xers are fully comfortable using both traditional and digital media channels, so marketers should communicate to this audience via multiple touchpoints. Gen Xers are an important consumer segment because they are in the prime of their earning and spending potential.

Radio station operators and networks are scrambling to adjust to the new media environment. Traditional radio advertisers like auto dealers and local banks know that consumers are spending more time online and they’re shifting their ad funds in that direction. Radio industry professionals are developing online initiatives to ensure future revenue streams, but some operators are looking at new types of clients to broadcast their marketing messages over the airwaves.

According to new research from Sallie Mae, 90% of students strongly agree that college is an investment in the future, an increase from 84% in 2010. 70% of students and parents strongly agreed that a college education is necessary for their desired occupation and to earn more, but more families are taking cost-savings measures, such as attending lower-cost colleges, living at home, or going to school part time.