Category Archives: MarketStar Retail  RSS Subscribe

Tuesday, March 27th, 2012
Posted by Manuel Rietzsch - B2B Marketing Manager
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How great would it be to only have customers who buy frequently, never return products and drive a ton of referral business without ever needing support?

Of course, we all know this is not possible but implementing the right after-sales strategy might get you closer than you think. The key, as bad as it sounds, is to use your customers. While social media has increased competition and evolved buying behaviors, it also has amplified the potential value customers can bring to your company. Continue reading →

Posted by  Manuel Rietzsch   Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 Leave a comment


Wednesday, February 15th, 2012
Posted by Joe Dallimore - Director Business Intelligence
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MarketStar was recently referenced in a TWICE Magazine article regarding TV sales leading up to the Super Bowl. The article cited our analysis of retailer point-of-sale data, which indicates a significant uplift in sales just before the Super Bowl — approximately 15% over typical run rate sales. But the question is this: Is it the event hype or simply the consumer market responding to retailer marketing programs?

The uplift in television units to close out the “holiday buying season” is not surprising. As my economics professor used to say, “There is no supply demand curve on this planet where units don’t increase when price decreases.” (Note: He also told us that drinking significant quantities of expensive, imported beer was his personal pathway to success, a theory not validated by the author.) Continue reading →

Posted by  Joe Dallimore   Wednesday, February 15th, 2012 4 Comments


Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Posted by Katie Salter - Retail Marketing Manager
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They say what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas… but in the case of what was shown at CES, I hope not! The technology was awesome—from breathtaking new televisions to ultra-thin new ultrabooks, and all sorts of fun for music lovers. Equally inspiring were some of the people presenting products, including our own MarketStar brand advocates.

I spoke with brand advocates on the show floor representing brands like Sony, LG, Canon, ZTE and BlackBerry who were doling out a wealth of information like free candy. Their passion for the technology and brands they represent combined with their superior knowledge of these products was more than impressive– it was stunning! I interviewed a handful of brand advocates to ask “What does a MarketStar brand advocate do?” …..


Continue reading →

Posted by  Katie Salter   Thursday, February 2nd, 2012 3 Comments


Thursday, January 19th, 2012
Posted by Manuel Rietzsch - B2B Marketing Manager
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Back to the topic of content marketing! Today, I spent some time viewing and dissecting a couple of videos created by Coca-Cola. These videos provide a great overview of how Coca-Cola will evolve its marketing to change from “creative excellence to content excellence.” They are very well-produced and fun to watch, but the amount of information communicated is a little overwhelming. I am not sure why Coca-Cola decided to share these videos with the world — probably so people like I can blog about them. I highly recommend watching these videos but here are some great insights: Continue reading →

Posted by  Manuel Rietzsch   Thursday, January 19th, 2012 4 Comments


Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Posted by Katie Salter - Retail Marketing Manager
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Here at MarketStar, we are still buzzing with excitement after working hard at some of the busiest areas on the CES show floor including Canon, Microsoft, Sony, Blackberry, ZTE, and LG.

If you attended CES or followed the media, the fact that it was the most attended show in history probably doesn’t surprise you. At 153,000 visitors, 2012 beat out everyone’s expectations including my own. Continue reading →

Posted by  Katie Salter   Tuesday, January 17th, 2012 42 Comments


Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
Posted by Katie Salter - Retail Marketing Manager
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At 45 years running, an average of 140,000 attendees, and 18 days to set up, run and take down, the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is heralded as the largest technology show in the United States.

This year’s show will run Jan. 9-13, and despite some company withdrawals, it is still projected to be one of the largest in history, attracting more than 149,000 attendees (nipping at the heels of the largest CES show on record — 152,000 in 2006). Show-goers know it’s critical to make an impression at the busy CES showroom. This year, the floor will house 2,700 exhibitors stretched over an exhibit hall larger than 1.8 million square feet. Exhibitor displays, technology reveals, and uniquely branded experiences become more extraordinary and effective every year. Continue reading →

Posted by  Katie Salter   Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012 1 Comment


Monday, November 28th, 2011
Posted by Brian Buck - EVP Strategy and Insights
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As predicted, it was certainly an unusual Black Friday weekend. Retailers opened as early as Thanksgiving or right at the stroke of midnight with doorbuster savings that expired at 3a.m.! These enticements lured in lots of foot traffic – over a quarter of billion people were shopping. But the big question remains, “can it sustain?”

Our forecast correctly predicted frugality. Early reports are showing that while consumers were out in droves and spending, specifically in consumer electronics, they were looking for deals and spending primarily only on discounted deals. Unfortunately, those deals may be difficult to sustain over the next month and no one knows for sure what the “deal threshold” is for consumers (the point at which a consumer thinks it’s a deal). Continue reading →

Posted by  Brian Buck   Monday, November 28th, 2011 Leave a comment


Monday, October 24th, 2011
Posted by Katie Salter - Retail Marketing Manager
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Hello again! I’ve just returned from the Windy City, visiting the Shopper Marketing Expo and some of my favorite stores along the Magnificent Mile … ah, a shopper’s paradise.

Like most B2C marketing segments, the retail industry is buzzing with mobile. The expo highlighted geo-fencing and location-based marketing, to QR codes and “tap to pay” technology introduced by Google Wallet (if you think this is science fiction, realize it is already in a number of test stores with Office Max, Radio Shack, Macy’s, Sports Authority, and more). Continue reading →

Posted by  Katie Salter   Monday, October 24th, 2011 1 Comment


Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Posted by Katie Salter - Retail Marketing Manager
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If I have a claim to fame, it might be that I am a marathon shopper. As the word “marathon” suggests, I’m not talking about speed. I married a sprinter. My husband’s shopping strategy is to get in and out quickly, by any means necessary, wife in tow.

I, on the other hand, am an endurance shopper. I’m thrilled to shop for anything from rain coats to receivers, and very lucky to have a few girlfriends willing to shop at least four hours with me (a trip I’d consider rather mild, but satisfying nonetheless). My dirty little secret: I’ll often stop by unexplored or updated stores after work just to check things out. Continue reading →

Posted by  Katie Salter   Tuesday, October 18th, 2011 12 Comments


Thursday, September 29th, 2011
Posted by Brian Buck - EVP Strategy and Insights
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This will be the most competitive holiday on record. Consumers recovering from their tryptophan-induced comas on Black Friday will walk into the hands of manufacturers and retailers seeking to win their loyalty. This will be no ordinary turkey shoot. This year’s consumers will be more informed, more demanding and more frugal than ever before. And with flat retail sales, retail not hiring as much seasonal staff, and no new holiday “must haves,” our 2011 CE retail holiday forecast predicts it will be a difficult holiday for manufacturers. Continue reading →

Posted by  Brian Buck   Thursday, September 29th, 2011 9 Comments