Kids are not interested in taking their summer vacation to start thinking about back-to-school wardrobes, supplies and book bags. |
Kids today are looking at decorating and renovating their rooms — obviously, with their parents' money. The home has become one of the fastest-growing components of the younger market — and the celebrity component is critical to that. |
Last spring, it was about color; this year, it's about romance. Think about sheer curtains blowing in the wind. |
Last year consumers on average spent $500 more for the year on gas. This year it could go up to $1,000. This is what Lee Scott is worried about. The average American has $2,400 in discretionary spending. A Wal-Mart shopper probably has $1,500. Now take out the $1,000 extra and what does that leave them? |
Last year was a clear indication of where the consumer is heading for 2006. Today's consumer enjoys splurging on higher-end products now and then, but their quest for value still remains. |
Last year, kids were willing to negotiate with their parents, agreeing to less clothing and outright shunning some things to get what they wanted in an electronic item. |
Like Nike, Adidas also needed a better fashion fit and Reebok provides that. |
Retailers aren't very nervous just yet. Obviously companies want to protect their profit margins and won't discount heavily if they don't absolutely have to. |
Retailers have been looking for growth for the past several years, but frankly, they've been looking in all the wrong places. Department stores had given up on this customer to chase after the youth market, and while 40 may be the new 20, these women want to dress differently. |
Retailers have recognized that December has 31 days. |
Retailers need to identify a proprietary winning formula based upon their unique customer base. Ultimately, brands and retailers that grow together are compelling partnerships that produce the most profitable incomes. |
Sports footwear usually is also the first place urban consumers will spend money to endorse a celebrity. As we've already seen, people will pay over $100 for the G-Unit or an S-Carter Reebok if it creates the right image for them. |
Teens and young men have finally 'discovered' the suit. We are seeing a shift in the younger generation reaching their image through grooming and dressing up. |
Teens are still shopping at both specialty stores and department stores for status items. They are, for example, wearing full price shoes from Nordstrom with jeans from Target. |
That campaign was all about the smaller guy competing with the big boys. That's what Sears tried to do (against discount department stores such as Target, Costco and Kohl's) and failed. |