Excentus: 2016 Back-to-School Shoppers Preoccupied with Savings, Value and Rewards
Excentus said that back-to-school shoppers plan to spend less in 2016 than they did in 2015, and they're eager for retailers to offer back-to-school sales and promotions, great value, and robust rewards programs to help them maximize their savings during the second-busiest shopping season of the year.
According to a release, in a June 2016 Excentus survey of more than 1,100 Fuel Rewards program members, nearly 85 percent of back-to-school shoppers say they plan to spend up to $300 per person this summer on clothing, shoes, learning supplies and electronics. That's $75 less than the $375 average spend identified by Deloitte during the 2015 back-to-school season. About 84 percent of consumers say they plan to shop during July and August, and most say they'll return to those same retailers a few months later to do their 2016 holiday shopping.
Where they shop will be influenced by three key factors:
-back-to-school sales and promotions (71 percent)
-best product value (66 percent best quality for the price, 61 percent lowest advertised price)
-loyalty programs that help them earn (42 percent) and use (36 percent) rewards for their must-have purchases
Two-thirds of respondents (66 percent) say membership in a loyalty program is "very" or "somewhat" influential in deciding where to shop - a finding that reinforces the importance of customer frequency and activity with their favorite brands in building overall loyalty and advocacy. Both are key goals as retailers prepare for the lucrative holiday shopping season. Excentus surveyed 1,158 Fuel Rewards program members for insights into how shoppers' habits, plans and preferences can influence retailers' and merchants' strategies during 2016.
"For retailers, these findings reinforce the dual impact of targeted marketing strategies and robust rewards programs for customers during the lucrative back-to-school shopping season," said Megan Flynn, Executive Vice President of Program Development, Brand and Communications for Excentus, which operates the Fuel Rewards program. "A loyalty program can be a key factor for influencing where and how frequently customers shop now, during other peak shopping seasons and especially during non-peak seasons. Building everyday rewards value into consumers' shopping routines during peak shopping seasons while they are paying close attention to costs and spending, not only brings more customers through the door, it also builds brand value and loyalty."
Excentus' Back-to-School survey also found:
-Most common items on shopping lists are clothing and learning supplies (tie, 90 percent), followed by shoes (82 percent), supplies for children's classrooms (63 percent), and computers/electronics (36 percent)
-83 percent of consumers will shop in brick-and-mortar stores, 15 percent will shop online and 2 percent from a mobile app
-23 percent of 2016 shoppers will spend less than $100; 37 percent between $101-$200; 24 percent between $201-$300; 8 percent between $301-$400; 4 percent between $401-$500; and 4 percent more than $500.
-Shoppers' preferred retailers are 85 percent mass merchandisers, 58 percent brand-name chain retailers, 42 percent office supply stores, 36 percent online sites, 19 percent drug stores, and 15 percent grocery stores.
-59 percent do most of their shopping in 2-3 trips, 17 percent in 4-5 trips, 16 percent in a single trip, and 8 percent more than 5 trips.
-43 percent shop in August, 41 percent shop in July, 8 percent are last-minute shoppers who wait till late August/early September, and another 8 percent have finished their shopping by July.
-66 percent of shopping is done by parents, 32 percent describe it as a "group effort," and 2 percent of children do the shopping.
More information:
www.excentus.com
((Comments on this story may be sent to newsdesk@closeupmedia.com))
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Alexandra Scarborough
Gilt and Sarah Jessica Parker Unveil SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal Collection for SpringSarah Jessica Parker, in partnership with Gilt, kicked off the exclusive launch of SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker Bridal, Gilt’s first foray into bridal ready-to-wear that would have Carrie Bradshaw swooning.
The collection includes dresses, skirts, bodysuits and other pieces, ranging in price from $295 to $2,395 and from sizes 0 to 14.
"Collaborating with Gilt on my first bridal ready-to-wear collection was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Sarah Jessica Parker. "The team there is brilliant and allowed me to be imaginative and take risks as I was designing for the non-traditional bride. It has been quite fun to play around with colors, fabrics and details to create unique pieces for all kinds of brides." The collection, comprised of ten styles, is inspired by Parker's vision of a modern, non-traditional bride, and is designed to dress a woman for a variety of wedding milestone moments; from her bridal shower through her wedding reception. Styles offered are a unique mix of classic dresses and gowns, modern bodysuits, full skirts, and a jumpsuit. The color palette includes traditional bridal white, sleek black, plus pops of blush, poppy, light gray and blue.
Designed in collaboration with Gilt, the collection was produced in New York City utilizing fabrics like cashmere and stretch crepe sourced from Spain, Italy and France.
The pieces all feature carefully curated details like elegant bows, sophisticated cutouts, feathers, intricate embroidery and beautiful hand-stitched beading.
The actress and style icon is no stranger to chic bridal wear. Carrie Badshaw, famously played by Parker, took part in an elaborate bridal photo shoot in Sex and the City: The Movie. The shoot featured gowns from designers like Christian Lacroix and Lanvin. Parker famously wore a black wedding gown for her own wedding to Matthew Broderick in 1997.
"Not only is Sarah Jessica Parker's style known around the world, her point of view is one-of-a-kind," says Tom Ott, Chief Merchant of Gilt. "Sarah Jessica brings her impeccable taste and fashion sensibility to life in this collection. We think our customers will be delighted with the offering which is stylish and well-priced in the bridal category."
As part of the bridal launch, Gilt will also offer 15 exclusive styles from the SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker footwear line, each of which are complementary to the bridal collection.
To correspond with the bridal collection launch, Gilt City will present offers from some of Sarah Jessica Parker's favorite places in New York City.
The offers were each chosen as a way to help brides plan for and celebrate the big day with highlights including, Leather Spa, Lars Nord Studio Tailoring, Mah-Ze-Dahr Bakery, among others.
More Information:
http://www.Gilt.com/SJP -
Alexandra Scarborough
Tea Forté Introduces ‘Matcha’ CollectionConvenience meets tradition in Tea Forté’s new Ceremonial Matcha Bowl Set and the Matcha Single Steeps.
The company said its spring harvested, shade grown, stone ground, organic matcha tea is best served in a centuries-old Japanese tea ceremony called chanoyu: a preparation technique known for its centering meditative qualities.
"The launch of Tea Forté's Matcha collection represents our continued commitment to wellness and cultivating all the potential mental and physical health benefits of tea," says Tea Forté CEO Michael Gebrael. "In addition to our high quality Pure Matcha, we've also blended four distinct flavored Matcha varieties. Prepackaged in pouches measured out for a single serving, our Single Steeps Matcha is ideal for the office, travel, or to keep with you for a boost anytime."
Tea Forté noted its handcrafted ceremonial tea bowl, handmade bamboo whisk and measuring ladle “encourages serene enjoyment of our premium Kosher, gluten-free and vegan matcha blends.” These include: Pure Matcha, Chocolate Matcha, Coconut Matcha, Ginger Matcha, and Chai Matcha.
According to a release, in addition to its distinctive taste, matcha is prized for its health benefits. Steeped green tea contains only the antioxidants that can be extracted in water, while with matcha, the whole leaf is consumed.
Available now in select stores and online at teaforte.com.
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Expedia.com has released a year-end look at U.S. traveler behavior and trends for 2017, analyzing data to identify the most in-demand destinations, hotels, activities and more.
Among other insights, the roundup revealed:
- Labor Day was the busiest weekend for car rental
- Disney Theme Parks topped the list of things to do
- The average hotel stay was two nights
- Top destinations based on 2017 air travel included major global cities like New York, London and Bangkok
- Popular tourist destinations included Orlando, Cancun and Las Vegas