[01/2009] What's really happening on the High Street: What you told us so far.
Last week we asked over 100 retail focused marketing or promotions experts to tell us how the downturn had affected January sales. Here's what we've learned so far:
57 percent of retail marketing and promotions experts say the downturn has had a "very serious" effect on their January promotions. Just over 14 percent describe the impact as "serious". The remainder (about 28 percent, often in grocery or fashion) are bracing themselves for the inevitable impact which they say is already visible on the horizon.
By pinpointing and addressing just a few inefficiencies in the promotions process, they can boost marketing effectiveness
Crucially, almost all of them believe that by pinpointing and addressing just a few inefficiencies in the promotions process, they can boost marketing effectiveness dramatically and defend their business against the downturn better. So what are the vulnerable weak spots that retail marketers in the shrinking economy can no longer afford to ignore?
As we collate the data for this survey, our "What's really happening on the High Street" research is highlighting the key areas that retail promotions and marketing experts like you want to address most as times get tougher.
Think your marketing plans for '09 could benefit from a little collective thinking? Take three minutes now (before January 30) to tell us how you think promotional and marketing experts in retail need to fight back in ‘09 and we'll make sure you're one of the first to receive the collective thought document that we compile using your insight together with 100 other retail marketing experts just like you.