Attitudes: Retailers

With consumers looking for a variety of ways to save money in this economic climate, many are signing up for or regularly using reward programs such as those at gas stations, revealed the “2009 Consumer Loyalty Study” from Greenwood Village, Colo.-based First Data.

The notion that the global economy may be on the verge of recovery has not yet translated into improved consumer spending or confidence, although consumers in the emerging countries -- Brazil, India and China -- seem to be more optimistic than others and are loosening their purse strings ever so slightly, according to the new edition of the Nielsen Economic Current.

The outlook for the retail industry is bright, according to a new study released today from New York-based KPMG. The majority of retail executives believe 2010 will be a better year in terms of profitability and job placement.

The most recent Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) Times & Trends Report, “Channel Migration: The Blurring of Shopper Loyalty,” has unearthed several recession-spurred changes in consumer shopping patterns across departments, categories and consumer segments, such as a shift to supercenters by value-minded shoppers.

Although America has long had a love affair with salty foods, recent data from Chicago-based Mintel revealed that consumers are starting to pay more attention to their intake, with more than half (52 percent) watching the amount of sodium in their diets.

Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle has signed on with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop a sustainable seafood sourcing strategy for its 225 corporately owned and franchised stores in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland.

Consumers’ hopes for an end to the global economic crisis have been bolstered in the second quarter of 2009, according to a recent Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Survey. The Nielsen Global Consumer Confidence Index, conducted in 28 markets in June 2009, rose to 82 -- an increase of five points (from 77) from March 2009 -- spurred by renewed consumer optimism and stock market gains in BRIC markets (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and key Asian countries.

A fellow Nielsen associate recently sent me an article she had received from a client about how private label was receiving high acceptance among even affluent American households.