Businesses are offered software that spots which customers will pay more

IN MANY types of face-to-face retailing, it pays to size up your customer and tailor your offering accordingly. In a 2006 study of Fulton fish market in New York, Kathryn Graddy of Oxford University found that dealers regularly charged Asian buyers less than whites because the Asians had proved, over time, more willing to reject high prices, and readier to band together to boycott dealers who ripped them off.

Low prices and good deals helped wary U.S. consumers overcome their growing anxiety about the economy in May, leading to stronger-than-expected sales for top retailers.

Let’s face it -- fewer and fewer people are just strolling in our front door. We have a new ritual in shopping and that is checking out stores and categories online. Years ago the Yellow Pages advertised “let your fingers do the walking.” Today, it is part of our culture.

Applicants weren’t deterred by the heavy rain that fell in San Francisco when local Jamba Inc. (JMBA) outlets opened their doors for the smoothie chain’s first nationwide summer job fair on March 27.

Something for Nothing

There is no question that major socioeconomic and technological shifts have changed the game of business. Business is now forced to play by a different set of rules. Those rules, according to popular OPEN contributor Barry Moltz, are reminiscent of how things work in a small town.

Some businesses can handle normal daily activities but need outside help to take on new projects that don't justify another employee. Other businesses are just struggling to manage day-to-day business. Still others are seeking ways to get more done or cut expenses in this challenging economy.

The year 2011 is showing great signs of retail growth due to solid Black Friday sales. Shoppers with pent up demand are now looking to open their checkbooks this holiday season and make up for the past few years of shying away from making discretionary purchases. However, 2012 will be a challenging year for inventors and retailers alike. When times are tough, people tend to stay close to home and gravitate towards things that are familiar and comforting to them.    

Retailers witnessed exciting new developments on both the industry and legislative sides in March 2012. This year’s unseasonably warm winter continued into March and helped give a noticeable boost to consumers’ moods and retailers’ sales. On the legislative front, Congress took steps in the right direction to reauthorize federal transportation funding, and the Senate held a hearing that would help boost travel and tourism to the states by reducing the visa application process – both welcome sights to NRF and retailers alike. Read on below to see what else was hot in March.