Father’s Day 2012 – Retail Spending Up

Strategy Plan One

June 15, 2012 

Father’s Day 2012 – Trends in Retail Spending

Business and marketing plans can be developed around the volumes of business that calendar events can bring.  Certain days and periods in the calendar, such as Christmas and Easter can make or break retail and service businesses.  However, many spots in the calendar create billions in economic activity for the US business sector.

Similar to Mother’s Day earlier this year, retail spending around Father’s Day has been projected to increase favorably to $12.7 Billion.  According to a recent survey conducted by National Retail Federation, spending will be up by an estimated 10% this year, with estimated average spending at $117.14.

Of the projected $12.7 Billion in Father’s Day spending, here are the big-ticket items Dad’s will be receiving:

• $2.3 Billion on taking Dads to special outings
• $1.7 Billion on electronic gifts
• $1.7 Billion on clothing for Dads
• $645 Million on books and music, and 
• $641 Million estimated on sporting goods for gifts

Whether you are a retail business with a store front or online, take note of the survey data on where purchases have been estimated to occur:

• 41.6% will shop for Father’s Day gifts at department stores
• 34% will hit a discount store for a cheap Father’s Day gift
• 28.6% at electronic stores, and 
• 28.4% of all purchases will occur through online retail sites

Moving with the mobile trends in recent news, 26.7% of smartphone users will utilize their devices to research and purchase gifts.

As you develop your business and marketing plans for your retail or services business, keep on track with the massive potential opportunities around calendar events, such as Father’s Day.

Other relevant blogs and articles on economic indicators:

• Construction Industry – April 2012 Economic Statistics Continue to Climb
• Travel Industry – Statistics and Impacts on the US Economy
• London Olympics – Statistics and Business Opportunities [infographic]
• Economic Indicators – Residential Construction and Sales Showing Positive Signs
• Marketing Opportunities – Changing the Daily Deal Model [Infographic]
• Mother’s Day 2012 – Retail Projections Looking Marvellous

Strategy Plan One

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© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Construction Industry – April 2012 Economic Statistics Continue to Climb

Strategy Plan One

June 5, 2012 

Construction Industry – April 2012

US Census Bureau Statistics from the construction industry continue on a favorable trend, now estimated to be $820.7 Billion (seasonally adjusted annual rate) for April 2012.  This is significant up from the month of April 2011 with an increase of 7.3% over that month.  It also represents an increase of 0.3% over the March 2012 figure of the $818 Billion seasonally adjusted annual rate.

These are good economic indicator signs, with the construction industry steadily improving for three consecutive months, and follows favorable statistics released on residential construction and residential sales.

The biggest gains occurred in the residential construction sector, growing at 2.6%.  However, non-residential construction represents the majority of construction.

Articles and blogs on economic indicators:

• Economic Indicators – Residential Construction and Sales Showing Positive Signs
• Tourism Industry – 2012 US Travel Outlook Favorable
• US Business Trends – Small Business Optimism Index

Construction Industry News

• US Construction Journal 
• US Building Digest

Strategy Plan One

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Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Economic Indicators – Residential Construction and Sales Showing Positive Signs

Strategy Plan One

May 23, 2012 

Economic Indicators – Residential Construction, Residential Sales

The positive one-two punch of residential construction and residential sales economic indicators are more signs of potential longer term economic recovery.  Recently released from the Census Bureau, both indicators are showing positive growth for April 2012.

Residential Sales

For April 2012, sales of new single family houses were at an annual rate of 343,000 (seasonally adjusted), representing a 3.3% increase over March 2012 and a good 9.9% jump over the April 2011 figures.

Image Courtesy: Economic Publicist, FRED

The above graph illustrates some favorable trends in the US in sales growth occurring over the past year, but should be cautiously analyzed as fluctuations are occurring on a monthly basis.

Residential Construction

On another positive front, the US Census Bureau is reporting a 2.6% increase in privately owned housing starts in April 2012 over the previous month, and an impressive 29.9% increase over the April 2011 rate.

Image courtesy: calculatedriskblog.com

The housing construction indicator graph closely mimics the housing sales graph above, as the indicators are closely tied together.

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Business Trends – Small Business Optimism Index on the Rise

Strategy Plan One

May 8, 2012 

Business Trends

Many economic indicators and sub-indicators of recent months have been favoring positive trends in the economy.  The construction and retail industries have been moving in a positive direction over the 2011 figures.  Entrepreneurs and business owners should carefully watch and analyze the indicators for economic and business trends, and react accordingly in planning and operations.

Business Trends – Small Business Optimism Index

With a recent survey and report out by the National Federation of Independent Business Research Foundation, the Small Business Optimism Index appears on a trendy rise.  LIke the index title suggests, The Small Business Optimism Index is the measure of future business optimism from surveyed participants.  The April 2012 figure gained 2 points to 94.5, the highest value since 2007.

From sub-indicators in the index, most are indicating favorable views on increasing employment, capital investments, earning potential, and a general overall positive view on the future economic conditions.

Strategy Plan One

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Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Retail Industry Statistics Favorable for March 2012

Strategy Plan One

April 18, 2012 

Retail Industry

The retail industry is potentially on the rebound with some of the most current data out for public consumption.  This is good news for businesses and entrepreneurs around the country who are all desperately looking for signs of recovery.

The latest advance report is out by the US Census Bureau on retail statistics estimates for March 2012.  The report, including the statistics for the combined retail and food industry, cites that the industry total revenue for March 2012 was $411.1 Billion.  This represented an increase of 0.8% over February 2012 and a 6.5% increase over March 2011 figures.

Retail industry sales alone increased by 0.8% from February 2012 and consistent with the 6.5% increase above March 2011 data.  The biggest sector jump in the retail industry occurred in building material and garden retail sector, with a 14.1% increase over March 2011 statistics.

Business owners and the industry will cautiously analyze the next few months to determine if this pattern will continue and if it is solid signs of recovery.

Strategy Plan One

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Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One

Construction Spending – Construction Industry on the Rebound?

Strategy Plan One

April 13, 2012 

Construction Spending

Construction spending has one of the biggest impacts on economic indicators, as the construction industry is huge.  Construction spending gives us a picture of how well the construction industry is doing in the economy.  Construction, as a major employer is tied to employment and to the housing industry statistics.  The value of construction includes key cost categories such as labor, materials, professional services, and overhead costs.

The following graph from the US Census Bureau shows the trend in construction spending.  The data report indicates that in February 2012, construction spending was at almost $809 Billion, +5.8% increase over February 2011 data.  This represented a $45 Billion increase in construction spending year over year.  Private construction spending accounted for almost a $49 Billion net increase, while public construction spending dropped by nearly $4 Billion.

Overall, the construction industry is on the road to recovery it seems, but still not near the highs of over $1.2 Trillion in construction spending back in 2006.

Strategy Plan One

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Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

Oil Prices & Impacts on the US Economy and YOU [Infographic]

Strategy Plan One

April 1, 2012 

The price of crude oil, and consequently the price of everything, is rapidly increasing.  This infographic, courtesy of fuelfreedom.org highlights the impacts of oil prices.

Some fact and impacts of oil prices:

• 10 out of the last 11 recessions occurred after an increase spike in oil prices
• $330 Billion – US net outflow for foreign oil
• Economists projecting 2012 to have the highest gas prices in history
• Estimation of up to $200 per barrel of oil if Iran relationship worsens
• Highest impacts would occur to lower – middle income earning families

Time for increased emphasis on alternative energy sources and technologies?  You bet.  Tough economic times an challenges such as these open the doors further to business opportunities around alternatives and green clean energy.

Strategy Plan One

http://strategyplanone.com

Business information, resources and tips for the entrepreneur

© 2012 Strategy Plan One