Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

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.

A new report from Kline & Company reveals key findings on the booming market for power-operated devices designed for acne elimination, anti-aging treatment, and daily cleansing. Kline pegs the market at close to $1 billion at the retail level for 2011, with exceptional growth expected for the next five years. Anti-aging devices are expected to grow by a very healthy 50% this year alone, benefiting from consumers’ demand for products to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

Marketers attempting to understand consumer habits that influence mobile marketing can get a revealing glimpse into the mindset of the mobile consumer through the newly released “2011 Mobile Consumer Report” from Experian Simmons. According to the research, 29% of cell phone owners today believe their phone will be the primary device for their entertainment needs in the future. Fifty-six percent of smartphone owners access the Internet from their phone; 27% watch video.

Thanks to the recession and television shows like “Extreme Couponing,” more consumers are searching out online and mobile coupons as well as taking advantage of daily deal offers. Regardless of format, coupons show no sign of falling out of favor with shoppers. However, retailers should be aware of the differences between delivery channels and formats.

Despite ever increasing gas prices, buyers still aren’t changing their automotive preferences when it comes to choosing a new car. According to AutoPacific’s new “Fuel Price Impact Survey,” many consumers still want trucks or SUVs, even in the face of higher gas prices than in summer 2010. While small cars promise high fuel economy, only 16% of respondents said they plan to purchase one for their next vehicle.

Ecommerce is a constantly evolving business and therefore it is important for marketers to stay on top of the latest changes in order to succeed in a challenging market. Several key trends in ecommerce in 2011 are taking shape that marketers should be aware of. As part of their ecommerce strategy, marketers should determine the best tools for monitoring and measuring social media outreach and online campaigns.