ChoiceStream

Retailers may need to rethink their strategy if any of them are counting on window shoppers to give them that coveted bump in holiday-season sales. After the 2008 holiday season’s whopping 15% decline in store traffic, shopper visits for the industry’s biggest selling period this year are expected to decline another 4.2%, according to a survey by ShopperTrak, an industry tracker. Discounters led by Wal-Mart may again be the winners this year, outpacing department stores such as Macy’s or clothing stores led by Gap Inc. According to an NRF survey, 70% of shoppers plan to buy at discount stores this year, about the same as last year. With frugality being the new fashion, pricing and discounts are likely to be the key factor this year for more shoppers, with 43.3% of them, up from 40% a year ago, citing that as the most important consideration in making a purchase. Less important is customer service, quality of merchandise or location convenience, the survey shows. Read the full article