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Are Retailers Poised For A 2014 Comeback?
Last year, retail took a beating from high teen unemployment. But, if recent trends continue, 2014 could be much more promising for brands that market to teens.
The most significant sign is better conditions for teen employment. Over the last five years, teens have borne the brunt of the recession. Employers didn’t want to take a chance on workers with no experience when they could hire overqualified employees for the same cost. However, the general unemployment rate recently decreased to seven percent, and the Federal Reserve expects it to dip to as low as 6.3% in 2014 and 5.8% in 2015. As the labor market stabilizes, workers with more experience will take higher-paying jobs, opening the doors for teens to take on entry-level positions. In tandem with better employment prospects, the increase in minimum wage in Washington, D.C., and California might trickle up. Congressional Democrats, with support from President Obama, want toraise the national minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. Getting the proposal through the Republican-controlled House will be challenging, but national polls show majority support for the bill. Public pressure might force Congressional Republicans to reconsider, especially when half in their own party supports the increase. While an increase in labor costs could result in employers using more automation (such as touch-screens to order fast food), it won’t happen immediately. In the meantime, employers will need to hire teens at the legislated higher wage. In addition to the increase in minimum wage, teens might also get some reprieve from student debt, which is starting to moderate. Colleges have gotten the message that students and their parents are rebelling against high tuition fees. Now that state budgets are stronger, state-funded schools are starting to hold down their tuition increases. These changes will reduce older teens’ debt burden and put extra money in their pockets. With higher employment, increased pay and stable tuition costs, teens will have higher discretionary income for clothes, video games, electronics, movies and dining. If your brand markets to teens, these economic trends spell good news but also suggest a need to re-evaluate your strategy and tactics. As the teen economy recovers, here are a few tips to consider:
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Blogging By Dr. Philip Jay LeNoble discusses the sales and sales management structure of media marketing and advertising including principles, practices and behaviorial theory. After 15 years of publishing Retail In$ights and serving as CEO of Executive Decision Systems, Inc., the author is led to provide a continuum of solutions for businesses.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
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