The Daily Bark http://milo.com/blog Find it Local. Get it Now! Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:43:31 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.4 miloshoppinghttp://feedburner.google.com From Just Browsing to Purchasing: The Transformation of Mobile http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/GO0CtL2Ez50/ http://milo.com/blog/from-just-browsing-to-purchasing-the-transformation-of-mobile/#comments Thu, 07 Feb 2013 19:42:36 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2111 2012 officially marked the transformation of mobile devices from mere browsing tools to purchasing portals, confirms the latest data by eMarketer. Nearly 11% of total United States retail ecommerce sales last year were made on mobile devices. We take a look at the rising adoption of mobile purchasing among shoppers—a fact brick-and-mortar stores needs to consider when strategizing for 2013.

(click  image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/from-just-browsing-to-purchasing-the-transformation-of-mobile/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/from-just-browsing-to-purchasing-the-transformation-of-mobile/ The Ten-Mile Range: Why Local Search is the Next Frontier in Marketing. http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/7-G1BDrxPE0/ http://milo.com/blog/the-ten-mile-range/#comments Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:51:03 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2098 Shoppers are increasingly relying on local search results, and larger retailers are noticing. According to a recent survey by Balihoo, nearly half of the larger brands plan to increase their local marketing efforts in 2013. Below, we take a look at why it’s time for small businesses to follow the same marketing plan and keep it local.

( click image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/the-ten-mile-range/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/the-ten-mile-range/ Small is the New Big: Small Business Saturday Rolls in Big Numbers for Mom-and-Pop Shops http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/IWkboamUYaA/ http://milo.com/blog/small-is-the-new-big-small-business-saturday-rolls-in-big-numbers-for-mom-and-pop-shops/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 20:09:08 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2090 After a Civic Economics study revealed that the United States independent retailers’ market share had declined from 59% in 1990 to 48% in 2009, American Express started Small Business Saturday to help mom-and-pop shops regain their place in the economy. We take a look at the miraculous growth this movement has had since 2010—and just how much Small Business Saturday has inspired shoppers to buy locally.

( click on image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/small-is-the-new-big-small-business-saturday-rolls-in-big-numbers-for-mom-and-pop-shops/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/small-is-the-new-big-small-business-saturday-rolls-in-big-numbers-for-mom-and-pop-shops/ Charge It: Gift Cards Promise to be the Hottest Present this Year http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/90zGROk7hbo/ http://milo.com/blog/charge-it-gift-cards-promise-to-be-the-hottest-present-this-year/#comments Tue, 11 Dec 2012 22:19:50 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2088 Gift cards are the choice present of the season, making gift-giving a convenient and flexible experience for givers and receivers alike. The 2012 holiday consumer spending survey by the National Retail Federation predicts that shoppers will spend more on gift cards this year than ever before. We take a look at just how popular gift cards are and examine why it’s time for smaller retailers to provide gift cards as an option to their customers.

(click on image to enlarge)


]]> http://milo.com/blog/charge-it-gift-cards-promise-to-be-the-hottest-present-this-year/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/charge-it-gift-cards-promise-to-be-the-hottest-present-this-year/ Getting Haggled: Should Small Businesses Welcome Price Negotiation? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/bZ9MADM1Hos/ http://milo.com/blog/getting-haggled-should-small-businesses-welcome-price-negotiation/#comments Fri, 30 Nov 2012 23:01:53 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2073 Haggling for a better deal when purchasing a house or car is expected, but when it comes to smaller-ticket items, shoppers typically keep their negotiation skills at bay. While large retailers offer price-matching guarantees to gain shoppers’ confidence and avoid price negotiation, smaller stores may want to consider setting the art of haggling back on the counter as a key strategy in winning over local shoppers. We take a look at a 2012 survey by CreditDonkey.com to discover how shoppers feel about businesses that are open to haggling.

(click on image to enlarge)

 

]]> http://milo.com/blog/getting-haggled-should-small-businesses-welcome-price-negotiation/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/getting-haggled-should-small-businesses-welcome-price-negotiation/ Looking Local: Shoppers Rely On Local Search Results http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/0WBiFQU-ftM/ http://milo.com/blog/looking-local-shoppers-rely-on-local-search-results/#comments Thu, 01 Nov 2012 18:30:49 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2062 Shoppers are increasingly turning to the web, according to comScore’s 5th Annual Local Search Usage Study. While this may not be a revolutionary finding in 2012, the study did make a surprising discovery: shoppers, especially those equipped with mobile devices, are actually utilizing local search and not merely purchasing online. That’s right; shoppers are seeking to buy in-store, locally. This means it is vital for small retailers to appear in local search. Find out just how important this is to consumers and businesses.

(click on image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/looking-local-shoppers-rely-on-local-search-results/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/looking-local-shoppers-rely-on-local-search-results/ Smart (Phone) Engagement: Embracing The Mobile Shopper In-Store http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/Z2A-oEei5eU/ http://milo.com/blog/smart-phone-engagement-embracing-the-mobile-shopper-in-store/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2012 18:13:50 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2053 A 2012 Vibes report, “Understanding the Showrooming Shopper,” shows that brick-and-mortar shop owners shouldn’t fear the smart devices most shoppers use. In fact, they should welcome this technology. It turns out that embracing the mobile medium can enhance both a shopper’s in-store experience and a retailer’s bottom line. We take a look at how driving mobile engagement while “showrooming” can actually save the sale.

( click on image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/smart-phone-engagement-embracing-the-mobile-shopper-in-store/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/smart-phone-engagement-embracing-the-mobile-shopper-in-store/ Witchful Spending: Americans Aren’t Spooked to Spend on Halloween http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/rZ_KxBtBODo/ http://milo.com/blog/witchful-spending/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 21:14:07 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2043 According to the latest National Retail Federation survey, a record 170 million people plan to enjoy the thrill of Halloween this year—the most in the survey’s 10-year history. What tricks and treats are shoppers plotting? We outline the survey results below.

(click on image to enlarge)

]]> http://milo.com/blog/witchful-spending/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/witchful-spending/ Double Browsing: In-Store Shoppers Search Their Mobiles For Better Deals Online http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/LdojL83Usw0/ http://milo.com/blog/double-browsing/#comments Wed, 03 Oct 2012 17:33:26 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2032 Now that mobile phones have transformed from mere communication devices to complex portals of boundless information, they have also altered the way we perform most routine activities, such as shopping. We take a look at how Internet access via mobile has changed the in-store buying habits of shoppers.

( click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://milo.com/blog/double-browsing/feed/ 0 http://milo.com/blog/double-browsing/ Delayed Connection: Shoppers Expect Immediate Response http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/miloshopping/~3/Ko8pwldOnkU/ http://milo.com/blog/delayed-connection-shoppers-expect-immediate-response/#comments Tue, 18 Sep 2012 19:59:58 +0000 milo http://milo.com/blog/?p=2020 When it comes to service, it seems that customers’ patience runs low. Shoppers want dedicated service instantaneously, and while brands may have multiple channels of communication, most people still prefer the old-fashioned route: the phone. What consequences do retailers face if they don’t meet the immediate demand for instant customer service? Let’s take a look.

( click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

]]> http://milo.com/blog/delayed-connection-shoppers-expect-immediate-response/feed/ 1 http://milo.com/blog/delayed-connection-shoppers-expect-immediate-response/