http://www.marketingforecast.com Fast Forward Findings for Strategic Advertising+Marketing Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4426 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4426#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:34 +0000 Shannon Bryant http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4426 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4426/feed 0 The National Retail Federation released its 2010 economic forecast recently, projecting retail industry sales (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) will increase 2.5% from 2009. According to its bi-monthly Retail Sales Outlook, influential economic indicators such as the housing market and employment are beginning to show positive signs, which will bolster consumer confidence throughout the year. Analysts still expect shoppers to continue to be frugal with their discretionary spending, but say retailers will soon be able to reap the benefits of leaner, smarter inventories and a year and a half of pent up consumer demand. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4411 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4411#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:00:27 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4411 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4411/feed 0 After a difficult 2008 and 2009, analysts are seeing improvement in the ad market for sporting events. This improvement is particularly obvious in TV and online media formats. One category that has upped its buying rate for event advertising is automotive, according to a report in Sports Business Journal. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4405 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4405#comments Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:00:37 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4405 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4405/feed 0 Most analysts and marketers know that younger consumers have typically been bigger Internet users than older consumers. Web use by younger consumers is nearly ubiquitous (93%) while adults over age 65 now have a usage rate of 65%. The bigger news, according to a Pew Internet and American Life Project report, is that the type of Internet use varies drastically by age group. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4399 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4399#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:00:02 +0000 Shannon Bryant http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4399 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4399/feed 0 One of the favorite ways consumers like to save on their online purchases is by searching for free shipping offers. Consumers love free shipping, and e-commerce sites that can provide it are often more successful than those who do not. Compete.com released results from a recent Online Shopper Survey citing that free shipping would encourage 93% of respondents to purchase more online. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4383 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4383#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:50:08 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4383 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4383/feed 0 Ad-ology Research recently updated their Industry Marketing Insights report for Electrical Supply Distributors. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4392 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4392#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:00:58 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4392 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4392/feed 0 Opening day is weeks away but some baseball fans will soon be hearing pitches that entice them to make their lawns look just as nice as the grass on the diamond at their favorite ballpark. This year, The Scotts Company, LLC is the “Official Lawn Care Company of Major League Baseball.” According to press releases, Scotts will be selling branded grass seed and fertilizer that has been specially formulated to match what fans see in their ballparks. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4388 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4388#comments Fri, 05 Feb 2010 07:00:43 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4388 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4388/feed 0 Conventional wisdom indicates that consumers traded down when eating out during the economic contraction. However, that wisdom hasn’t held true for all consumer types and restaurants. Consider the case of the 18-34-year old demographic which historically has been a gold mine for quick serve restaurants. Who knew that this group has seriously decreased its frequency of quick service restaurant visits? http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4396 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4396#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 20:12:49 +0000 Shannon Bryant http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4396 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4396/feed 0 The beginning of the year, known in the bridal industry as Bridal Christmas, marks the busiest time to plan nuptials. While the economy is still impacting overall wedding budgets, there are some signs of improvement, according to a new survey by David's Bridal. In 2009, three-quarters (75%) of respondents adjusted their budgets, however this year only 68% of engaged couples say their bottom-line has decreased. In addition, more than half (54%) of today's brides revealed they do not plan to spend more than $25,000 on their wedding day, and the key to bringing that dream day to life is keeping priorities in check. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4372 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4372#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:00:09 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4372 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4372/feed 0 Corporate executives have more reasons than ever to keep a close watch on the bottom line. Many have cut employees and departments but the new fiscal austerity doesn’t seem to extend to wellness programs. These efforts can range from on-site fitness centers to smoking cessation sessions. A study carried out by Fidelity Investments and National Business Group on Health (NBGH) shows that over 90% of mid and large-sized employees plan to continue spending money on wellness programs in 2010. http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4368 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4368#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 07:00:07 +0000 Kathy Crosett http://www.marketingforecast.com/?p=4368 http://www.marketingforecast.com/archives/4368/feed 0 The average golf course in the U.S. counts on consumers to play about 25,000 rounds on the greens. But the recession began to affect the industry in 2008 when the number of rounds dropped 0.8%. Another decline of 1.1% was noted in 2009 which equated to about 300 fewer rounds being played and contributed to a drop in revenue.