Category: Retail

The Three Holidays of America Under Inflation

Contributors: Maxine Gurevich, SVP/Cultural Intelligence and Steve Grant, SVP/Human Intelligence, Horizon Media

While the National Retail Federation reports that the 2021 holiday sales grew 14.1% from 2020 to $887B, inflation’s historic high will mean a different shopping season for 2022. Our data shows that 69% of all people are concerned or very concerned with inflation’s effect on their overall finances. But like much in the contemporary U.S. landscape, inequality and division are affecting the holiday retail season – people are experiencing three entirely different holidays depending on psychological reactions to inflation.

Continue reading “The Three Holidays of America Under Inflation”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Eyes Have It

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Throughout 2020, eyes became the focal point of expression and connection. In some instances, adults used makeup to accentuate their eyes impacting eye makeup sales. According to a Kantar analysis, while the total cosmetics category experienced usage declines in 2021, eye makeup was less severely impacted.

Continue reading “The Eyes Have It”

Shoppers Spend a Lot of Time with Radio

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Halloween is almost here. To some, that brings images of candy and costumes, but to others, it means that holiday shopping is about to begin.

Continue reading “Shoppers Spend a Lot of Time with Radio”

Wining and Dining – Appetizing Opportunities with Radio

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

When it comes to summer heat, there’s only one thing better than a cold beverage – having a cold beverage with a good meal out. Those meals taste better because there isn’t the need to clean up the kitchen. 

Continue reading “Wining and Dining – Appetizing Opportunities with Radio”

Use Radio to Gain the Attention of Back-to-School Shoppers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

It is summer! It’s the time of year for backyard parties, days at the beach and back-to-school shopping. While it may be hard to believe, families are already planning their strategy for purchasing all their children’s back-to-school (BTS) and back-to-college (BTC) needs.

Continue reading “Use Radio to Gain the Attention of Back-to-School Shoppers”

Radio Works to Drive Business and Brand Growth

Author: Tammy Greenberg, SVP/Business Development, RAB

Radio can help brands and businesses grow in a number of ways. Whether the goal is to drive awareness, traffic, or sales, radio can be a key player in a brand’s media plan. In fact, according to a 2020 iHeartMedia survey, radio is the No. 1 trusted medium in the U.S., with 75 percent of respondents saying they trust radio for the information and entertainment it delivers.

Through a Radio Works series of online, members-only events, the Radio Advertising Bureau (RAB) has taken a deep dive into more than 18 categories of business, including healthcare, automotive, retail, and restaurants, among others. While each category is unique, one thing remains consistent across the board: radio can be an effective way to drive business and brand growth.

Continue reading “Radio Works to Drive Business and Brand Growth“

Radio Listeners are Ready to Move and Groove

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

If you have traveled anywhere lately, you may have noticed that hotels and airports are booming with activity. Streets and parks are abuzz with runners, joggers and cyclists. Everyone is back to their old lifestyle – or are they?

Continue reading “Radio Listeners are Ready to Move and Groove”

Radio Reaches an Underserved and Wealthy Consumer Group

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

When it comes to consumer groups, most businesses focus on reaching millennials or the upcoming Generation Z. While these groups may be seen as influencers as well as future retail and services consumers, businesses may be missing an affluent and powerful consumer group – baby boomers.

Continue reading “Radio Reaches an Underserved and Wealthy Consumer Group”

Radio Can Help Jewelry Retailers Outshine Their Competition

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Graduations have begun, as have weddings. Festivities and gatherings are in full swing. As is the case with many events like these, jewelry of some sort is given to mark the occasion.

Continue reading “Radio Can Help Jewelry Retailers Outshine Their Competition”

Radio Delivers Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Dad. Father. Pop. Pappa. These are just a few of the names children will use when referring to the paternal figure in their lives. This post looks into the people that are celebrated and recognized on Father’s Day.

Continue reading “Radio Delivers Father’s Day Gift Ideas”

Radio’s Role in the Valued Business of Retail

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Shopping habits have changed. Consumer expectations of the brands they purchase and where they purchase them have shifted dramatically. These changes will continue to impact retailers everywhere from Main Street to Broadway. Retailers of all sizes are constantly trying to navigate these changes, so it is important to understand the values of today’s shoppers.

Continue reading “Radio’s Role in the Valued Business of Retail”

Radio Reaches Adopters of Technology

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

The world of technology advances every day, and it sure is getting interesting. We now have 8K smart televisions with more than 33 million pixels, smart home speakers that let you hear local, national and global news with a mere voice command and even internet-connected thermostats that can be controlled from smartphone applications. Today’s technology is truly transforming our living spaces into smarter, more helpful environments.

Continue reading “Radio Reaches Adopters of Technology”

From Bud to Bloom – Radio Grows Site Traffic for Lawn and Garden Retailers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

According to Punxsutawney Phil, winter should be over in three more weeks. Within those weeks, landscapers and lawn and garden centers will experience an influx of want-to-be and experienced gardeners. It’s the time when most people will find out what kind of “thumb” they have.

Continue reading “From Bud to Bloom – Radio Grows Site Traffic for Lawn and Garden Retailers”

Radio Plays a Part in the Future of Retail

Author: Victor Texcucano, Content Coordinator, RAB

COVID-19 fears and restrictions have helped establish several new trends in the world of retail. Since the rise of e-commerce over the past decade or so, shopping has evolved to become much faster and much more convenient.

Continue reading “Radio Plays a Part in the Future of Retail”

Insights Into CES

Author: Jeff Schmidt, SVP/Professional Development, RAB

Dr. Everett Rogers, a communications studies professor at Ohio State University, popularized the theory of diffusion of innovation. According to Rogers, there are four key groups or mindsets when it comes to new technology, new ideas and new concepts. At the front end are Innovators, the people who are constantly looking forward and searching for what’s next. At the back end are Laggards, who are constantly looking back and wondering what happened and how the world around them changed.

Continue reading “Insights Into CES”

Tradition is Valued by Auto Buyers

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Before the pandemic, traditional aspects of the auto purchase were changing. People were considering subscription auto plans versus ownership. Vehicle options were also shifting. COVID-19 changed all that.

Traditional vehicle ownership is still considered to be the most convenient, practical and flexible by consumers. When it comes to audio entertainment, traditional sources are important.

Continue reading “Tradition is Valued by Auto Buyers”

Using Omni-Shopper Insights to Create More Effective Ads

Contributor: Sarena Gerard, Senior Research Associate, GfK

Combining online and in-store shopping is a highly personal, consumer-driven experience that’s here to stay — one that predates COVID-19 but that has picked up major momentum over the last 18 months.

For many consumers, pivoting from in-store to online shopping was one survival tactic among many adopted to cope with pandemic lockdowns —and as the omnichannel trend continues to rise, many advertisers are working hard to get in front of consumers in both online and in-store environments. This is especially true in categories that have experienced strong omnichannel growth over the last year – among them clothing & fashion, household cleaning products, and packaged foods and beverages.

Continue reading “Using Omni-Shopper Insights to Create More Effective Ads”

Meet the New Retail Shopper

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

We know that consumer shopping behavior changed dramatically in 2020 – due to both restrictions and personal preferences. However, live events are on, places are open, and consumers are ready for it all.

The National Retail Federation revised their 2021 annual forecast and now projects that retail sales will total anywhere from $4.44 to $4.56 trillion this year. Yes, consumers are ready to shop, but where they shop, why they shop and what they buy will look different in 2021.

Continue reading “Meet the New Retail Shopper”

You Can Count on Radio for Banking

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

There have been numerous articles, studies and surveys on shift in consumer shopping preferences and behavior. While percentages for each survey may have varied, there was one consistent finding – Americans have increased their use of online transactions. The implication of this behavioral shift is not just limited to retail but also to banking – 27% of consumers agree that banks will be more flexible over the next two years.

Continue reading “You Can Count on Radio for Banking”

It’s July – Time for Back-to-School Shopping

Author: Annette Malave, SVP/Insights, RAB

Having just come off a long summer holiday weekend, parents of children across the U.S. are prepping for, or have already begun, back-to-school shopping. If you think it is too soon, think again. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), 61% of consumers typically plan their back-to-school shopping around retail sales events like Fourth of July.

Continue reading “It’s July – Time for Back-to-School Shopping”