http://www.specialty-retail-blog.com/blog/2009/02/19/an-analysis-of-the-future-of-retail/ A blog on retail issues, by retail consultants Fri, 23 Apr 2010 00:17:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.4 http://www.specialty-retail-blog.com/blog/2009/02/19/an-analysis-of-the-future-of-retail/#comment-535 Lynn M Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:30:01 +0000 http://www.specialty-retail-blog.com/blog/2009/02/19/an-analysis-of-the-future-of-retail/#comment-535 According to an article on <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2009/01/21/news/economy/retail_challenge/index.htm" rel="nofollow">CNNMoney.com</a>, the retail industry lost 522,000 jobs in 2008, however, the article points out that retailers don't get the same kind of attention from the government that automakers do. At the time of the article, sales were down for six straight months and the retail industry had lost more than three times what manufacturing lost last year. Retail employs everyone from senior citizens to high school students, to every kind of full and part-time worker in between, so it job losses in retail affect a many segments of our nation. I thought this article made a good point, considering everyone is talking about consumer spending with regard to turning the economy around. I also think consumers have been put in a bit of a difficult position when they're told that it is the irresponsible attitudes toward spending and "having to have" things they probably can't afford that has gotten us into this pickle, but at the same time consumers are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to turn things around. I also think you are right that NORMAL is a thing of the past. According to an article on CNNMoney.com, the retail industry lost 522,000 jobs in 2008, however, the article points out that retailers don’t get the same kind of attention from the government that automakers do. At the time of the article, sales were down for six straight months and the retail industry had lost more than three times what manufacturing lost last year. Retail employs everyone from senior citizens to high school students, to every kind of full and part-time worker in between, so it job losses in retail affect a many segments of our nation. I thought this article made a good point, considering everyone is talking about consumer spending with regard to turning the economy around. I also think consumers have been put in a bit of a difficult position when they’re told that it is the irresponsible attitudes toward spending and “having to have” things they probably can’t afford that has gotten us into this pickle, but at the same time consumers are being encouraged to go out and spend in order to turn things around. I also think you are right that NORMAL is a thing of the past.

]]> http://www.specialty-retail-blog.com/blog/2009/02/19/an-analysis-of-the-future-of-retail/#comment-532 lousagar Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:50:33 +0000 http://www.specialty-retail-blog.com/blog/2009/02/19/an-analysis-of-the-future-of-retail/#comment-532 The future for specialty retailers who move quickly to undertake active social media initiatives and recognize that managing relationships online is now a key focus are certain to have a competitive advantage moving forward. As a brand and social media strategist, I have been immersed working with Twitter and Facebook, on the application of social networking platforms for business, which is unquestionably on the rise. As traditional (interruptive) media continues to decline, specialty retailers must invest in "conversations" that are sustainable with their customers. Thanks. The future for specialty retailers who move quickly to undertake active social media initiatives and recognize that managing relationships online is now a key focus are certain to have a competitive advantage moving forward. As a brand and social media strategist, I have been immersed working with Twitter and Facebook, on the application of social networking platforms for business, which is unquestionably on the rise. As traditional (interruptive) media continues to decline, specialty retailers must invest in “conversations” that are sustainable with their customers.
Thanks.

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