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Retail Paradox Weekly
Retail News Analysis by RSR Research
March 11, 2008
Despite Downturn, Customer Centricity Still a Top Concern
By Paula Rosenblum, Managing Partner
3/11/2008
History tells us that in an uncertain economy, retailers retreat into tortoise-like shells. So when the industry reported less than stellar holiday results, technology vendors and analysts alike feared the worst. I actually received one inquiry from a reporter who asked quite literally, "Given the difficult holiday season, do you expect massive layoffs, store closings and a shutdown in spending?" I'm "new-agey" enough to be vaguely alarmed by such projections of negativity, and yet I had to answer "Boy, I hope not. That would be the wrong thing to do," even as I wondered if something along those lines would actually occur.
IT Spending: In Spite or Because of Economic Uncertainty?
By Brian Kilcourse, Managing Partner
3/11/2008
Last week, a well-known analyst firm warned companies to start now to cut back on IT spending in the face of was looks like rocky economic times. While it's certainly understandable that companies might respond in that fashion, recent RSR research suggests that a more measured approach might be in order, for these reasons:
First, capital is cheap at the moment... More
Economic Stimulus Plan a Missed Opportunity
By Nikki Baird, Managing Partner
3/11/2008
Retailers did not have a merry Christmas. Sales were anemic in total, and January and February did little to ease their pain. In fact, concern over the economy has been significant enough that on February 13 President Bush signed the Economic Stimulus Act, a $168 billion plan designed to inject new life into the economy. Individuals meeting certain income and tax requirements will receive a minimum of $300, and couples could receive $1200 or more.
The success of the plan lies in part with how... More
One Bright Spot: Invest in Saving Cost - and Your Kids' World
By Steve Rowen, Partner
3/11/2008
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