The back-to-school shopping season, second only to the holiday season in terms of consumer spending, has been thrown into uncertainty bordering on chaos as parents and retailers do their best to plan for what school will look like in the coming weeks.
Set against the backdrop of a highly contagious viral pandemic and the devastation it has woven across the U.S. economy, 2020's back-to-school season is unlike any other.
"It's the most challenging time in history for back to school," said Burt P. Flickinger III, managing director of Strategic Resource Group, a consumer consulting firm in New York City.
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The Enjoyment of In-Store Shopping Is a Culture We Must Not Forget
"Consumer sentiments have well and truly changed. But, whilst presented with a safer, more convenient online alternative, retailers must ensure that the valuable aspects of the in-store shopping experience are not forgotten."
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Any sceptics of the in-store shopping event just need to look at the news on retail recovery, with many brands experiencing spikes in sales in June, as widespread store closures came to an end. Of course, much of this revenue was generated online, £3 out of every £10 in fact, but Robert believes that the pent-up demand from those who still value the physical phenomena should not be ignored.
Hackers target MSU shopping website, exposing credit card numbers
LANSING — Hackers breached Michigan State University's online store, exposing customer credit card numbers, addresses and other information.
The hackers gained access to shop.msu.edu, a website selling MSU-branded merchandise, and used malicious code to expose names, addresses and credit card numbers of about 2,600 shoppers between Oct. 19, 2019 and June 26, according to an MSU press release issued Monday. The MSU information security team has since corrected the vulnerability that enabled the intrusion.
South Bay Malls Turn to Open-Air Shopping During COVID-19 – NBC Bay Area
A row of red and white popup tents beckon customers to peruse the latest fashion, watch an art demonstration or grab a snack from a food truck. Luxury brands like Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Versace offer viewings by appointment in cabanas inside the mall. This is Westfield Valley Fair's solution to the state shuttering malls on July 15 due to a rise of COVID-19 in Santa Clara County.
"Participating retailers are thrilled because it keeps guests thinking about their brand," said Sue Newsom, senior general manager at Westfield Valley Fair. "Everyone's trying to do the best we can to service the customer and keep businesses going. This was a way for us to do it thinking outside the box."
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Akron launches 'Akronite' app to encourage local shopping - cleveland.com
The Akronite app encourages residents to shop locally by offering points, or "blimps," for purchases at participating businesses.
AKRON, Ohio – The City of Akron on Monday announced the launch of the "Akronite" app, which offers incentives for residents to shop locally and help small businesses bounce back from losses incurred due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mayor Dan Horrigan and the city's Office of Integrated Development worked with Israel-based Colu to design the free app, which is available for Apple and Android devices.
Consumers favor smartphones for back-to-school shopping, study finds | Retail Dive
The back-to-school shopping season is the second-most important time of year for retailers and often serves as a preview of what to expect during the holidays months later. As AdColony's survey found, the pandemic is not only affecting how people shop — with a growing emphasis on mobile — but also what they plan to buy for students whose schools offer some form of distance learning.
With many students attending virtual classes, the demand for electronics that help them connect with their schools is up. The most popular product categories for distance learning include computers (34%), tablets (30%), smartphones (23%) and web conferencing accessories like webcam, microphones and headsets (19%), AdColony said.
Classic Answer Man: Right turn on red arrow? Shopping cart dogs?
Note: A fresh Answer Man column will publish Wednesday. Before then, enjoy this classic column that appeared Aug. 13, 2012, with an update from Aug. 27, 2012.
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Of course, I never tire of your burning questions. Let's get to them, along with my smart-aleck responses and the real deal.
Question: Over the last year, I have witnessed a dog riding in a shopping cart at a local grocery store. The first time I mentioned it to the manager, he said he would take care of it. A few months later it happened again, and the manager apologized and said he would take care of it. The third time it happened, the manager said he thought it was a service dog, so they had to allow it. Is this true?
GUEST SEGMENT: BBB gives tips for back-to-school shopping online
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - Going back to school may look different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but it hasn't stopped parents from trying to be prepared.
With supplies low and demand high, some people are shopping with new online retailers they have never used before, which is causing extra stress and money loss.
Happening on Twitter
Y'all My girlfriend lives in the Hamptons.... and her 20 year old son has been living with them since March (covid… https://t.co/QpRJGZZeZW JaimePrimak (from All over) Mon Aug 10 02:44:48 +0000 2020
The Big Ten has canceled fall football. What an embarrassing, GUTLESS decision by the school Presidents. To bring p… https://t.co/od2Y7IFCR4 Aaron_Torres (from USA) Tue Aug 11 19:06:48 +0000 2020
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