Consumer Confidence

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Consumer Confidence


Dec 8, 2009 by Mark Maier


The BIGresearch report shows some interesting information about how consumers are thinking right now but we have to be cautious to not call for the sky to fall when shopping for Black Friday and Cyber Monday were both up and the latest consumer confidence index showed that americans were feeling better about the economy and value retailers seem to be enjoying success...

" With the recession having many consumers on tight apparel budgets lately, high hopes on holiday wish lists and pent up demand appear to be driving consumers penchant for familiar fashion labels, as 46.5% say these are important when buying clothing, up nearly five points from those who said the same a month ago (41.8%). Signs of troubling times are still evidentthis figure remains below the November 08 (47.0%) and 07 (47.5%) readings.

While consumers tend to shop department stores (28.7%) over discounters (20.8%) and specialty shops (13.7%) for Womens Clothing, one big discounter continues to shine, specifically speakingmore than one in ten (11.9%) shop Walmart most often, rising about a point from a year ago (11.0%), while Kohls (9.6%) finishes second, gaining similarly from the previous year (8.6%). JC Penney (7.2%), Macys (6.2%), and Target (2.5%) round out the Top 5.

Walmarts lead is even stronger in the Mens section, where 14.9% shop the discounter most oftenKohls and JC Penney follow with 8.8% and 8.6%, respectively, while Macys (5.2%) and Sears (2.8%) complete the Top 5.

And with three times the share of its nearest competitor in Childrens, Walmart completes the triple crown in clothingthe Bentonville behemoth leads with 14.8% shopping there most often, while Kohls (4.8%), Target (4.5%), JC Penney (4.2%), and Old Navy (2.0%) follow.

Have designer offerings and the ever present BOGO deals piqued consumers interest in Payless? For the first time in 10 months, the discount specialty (with 10.7% shopping there most often) has landed ahead of big discounter Walmart (10.3%) in Shoes. The complete Top 5: 1. Payless (10.7%), 2. Walmart (10.3%), Kohls (4.7%), 4. DSW (3.4%), 5. JC Penney (3.1%).

With the majority of shoppers headed to Best Buy (33.2%) or Walmart (19.8%) for Electronics, look for these retailers to be hot holiday destinations for popular gifts like TVs, cell phones, and video games. Target (2.5%), Amazon.com (2.4%), and Sears (1.8%) follow not-so-closely behind.

Walmart and Dicks continue as the heavy hitters in Sporting Goods, with 13.0% and 11.0% shopping most often, respectively. Next up to bat are Sports Authority (4.0%), Academy (3.2%), and Big 5 (2.3%).

On the softer side, Walmart commands a growing lead in Linens/Bedding/Draperies with 17.5% shopping there most often, rising a point from a year ago (16.5%)Bed Bath amp; Beyond follows with 12.8%, off nearly a point from November 08 (13.6%). JC Penney (7.5%), Target (5.4%), and Kohls (3.3%) complete the Top 5.

For Thanksgiving turkeys and all of the trimmings, look for many to head to Walmart, where 18.1% shop the discounter most often for Groceriestraditional grocers Kroger (6.6%), Publix (4.0%), and Safeway (2.8%) continue to trail the big WMeijer finished fifth with 2.3%.

Interest in Organics continues with three in five shoppers (62.5%) reporting that they regularly or occasionally shop for these productsproduce (51.9%), breads (30.5%), cereals (28.4%), dairy (28.0%), and juices (27.7%) are among the most popular products in green shoppers carts. One in ten (10.2%) organic-oriented consumers shop Walmart most often, while Whole Foods (8.1%), Trader Joes (5.7%), and Kroger (4.6%) are also top shops.

With seven in ten (68.7%) selecting price as the top reason to shop a particular store for Health amp; Beauty Care, it should come as no surprise that the EDLP purveyor Walmart continues to trump the competition with 32.2%...druggists CVS (8.7%) and Walgreens (8.2%) follow, while Target (6.6%) and Rite Aid (3.0%) complete the Top 5. Location (49.8%), selection (45.4%), quality (23.1%), and 24 hour convenience (15.4%) follow as top reasons to shop.


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