Consumers to spend more this holiday despite mixed view on economy

There have been a number of articles & studies on the 2010 holiday spending. All seem to offer a glimmer of hope!

Deloitte’s 25^th annual holiday survey of consumer spending intentions and trends found that 66% of consumers surveyed indicate their financial situation is the same or better than a year ago and 62% plan to spend the same or more on the holidays compare with 2009. Consumers frequently cited the Web’s influence on their shopping, with almost half (46%) indicated that they are smarter about comparison shopping online.

National Retail Federation has found that consumers are a little less concerned about the economy and will be spending a little more freely this season. They are reiterating their earlier forecast calling for holiday sales to increase 2.3% to $447 billion. “Price is paramount during any recession, but when the economy begins to recover other factors take on great importance,” said Phil Rist, EVP strategic initiatives with BIGresearch. “”When shoppers consider other factors like service and quality in buying decisions, retailers have the ability to highlight a variety of other features to help their company stand out from the competition.”

RxWeb Genius® ‘web presence’ for the Independent Pharmacy gives you the branding and control over your site. Your unique services and products can be listed on your site to attract customers and patients. This is the reason you are an “Independent”!

AcXion, a global leader in marketing and technology has announced that last-minute shoppers can boost retail sales during the holidays. The study, “Generate More Jingly This Holiday Season,” noted that 2-out-of-10 consumers don’t start their holiday shopping until December, a sure-fire way for retailers to get that extra sales boost at year-end.

Rite Aid brings joy of holiday savings to customers

Rite Aid is offering customers ways to earn money back on purchases made from Black Friday through Christmas Eve. The drug store chain said that its Gift of Savings program allows customers to earn $5 to $25 on dollars spent before Dec. 24^th.

Rite Aid also offers their customers the abilities to print coupons after watching informational videos.

Rite Aid’s savvy marketing program understands that offering customers a reason to return to the pharmacy generates more sales. The RxLoyalty Genius® program operates in the same philosophy: A 2-fold program that is an automatic loyalty and an additional marketing program to have you spend only 10 min. per month to do the types of promotions that fit your pharmacy needs.

The RxWeb Genius® ‘web presence’ gives you the ability to list coupons, send email blasts to your customers to alert them of the coupons and has an automatic print function. Set up a laptop in your pharmacy and your customers will use your site for all of their health, wellness and savings needs.

Mobile shoppers will account for 28% of holiday spending.

IDC Retail Insights reports that Mobile shoppers will account for nearly one-third of the money spent this holiday season. According to it’s latest report, 73% of those surveyed are members of Facebook or other social networks and 68% own smart phones. IDC Retail Insights noted that easy-to-use mobile website significantly influences consumers, across all age groups, on where to shop this holiday season. Overalls, such consumers will account for 28% ($127 billion) of the $447 billion that the National Retail Federal predicts for holiday spending.

Independent Pharmacies must step up to the plate to ensure that they are reaching out to not only existing customers and patients but also to the Gen X, Gen Y and New Milleniums. The RxWeb Genius® ‘web presence’ has the kind of easy tools and interactive abilities to keep your patients from migrating to the chain store sites.

Yellow pages are out and Google is in. The static 3-5 page site is not enough and the supplier ‘placebo sites’ don’t offer you the tools and branding that our Independents take pride in. The net of today is totally different – and suppliers and most webmasters don’t make it their main goal to keep up with the times. Call today: 1-866-312-8324 or www.PharmacistsOnLine.com

Mintel releases consumer trends in packaged good: A “Natural Shakedown” for 2011

Mintel has predicted six core trends for 2011: 1} Quiet reduction: Sodium, sugar and high fructose corn syrup are three well-known ingredients that appear to be experiencing covert reductions in product formulations. 2} Redefining natural: While all types of natural claims have grown in importance, the term ‘natural’ will be redefined due to intervention by regulatory bodies. 3} Professionalism of the amateur: Main stream brands are getting serious about bringing in products that used to be found in the specialty service market. Previous products like “salon-style, professional-strength, chef-endorsed” will now be available in the general market. 4} Sustainability focuses on the basics: Greater focus on reduced packaging to promote environmental responsibility, combined with uniqueness. Expect water usage to become a hot, consumer-facing issue in 2011 as companies look for ways to conserve water and change consumption habits. 5} Blurring categories: Manufacturers will be developing more hybrid products. As consumers continue to view products to fit their needs, products will be blended into multiple categories. Examples: Snacks as meals and personal care and home care products that do more than one thing. 6} New retro: Revialization of old products and old ad campaigns to tap into the escalating trend of the nostalgic. Offering a vision of returning to a time when life seemed somehow easier can include 1920’s, 60’s, 70’s and 80’s.

Independent Pharmacies can take advantage of their unique abilities to offer quality branded products as well as the old-fashioned ‘customer service’ that you are so well known for. Marketing is the key to your success and must include a ‘web presence’ (not just a site) combined with a loyalty program that brings your customers back to you for incremental visits. Call Pharmacists OnLine® at 1-866-312-8324 and let’s talk about your pharmacy.