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additional information contact:
Katherine R. Clarke
TNS Retail Forward
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kclarke@retailforward.com
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Shopping Centers Battle Declining Traffic, TNS Retail Forward Reports
COLUMBUS, August 5, 2008—Not only are shoppers changing their behavior in reaction to higher food and fuel prices, but the shares of monthly shoppers and monthly clothing shoppers continue to decline across most shopping center types, reports TNS Retail Forward. Recent TNS Retail Forward ShopperScape™ survey results indicate the shares of survey respondents shopping most shopping center types monthly—either for any kind of merchandise or specifically for clothing—again declined in 2008.
“The only locations to capture larger shares of monthly shoppers as well as monthly clothing shoppers in 2008 are power centers, strip malls with supermarket anchors and online sites,” comments Kelly Tackett, Senior Consultant with TNS Retail Forward.
“While high gasoline prices are boosting the popularity of power centers, they are deterring shoppers from trekking to outlet malls,” Tackett adds. “Likewise, our research indicates that the appeal of regional malls continues to dwindle, and despite the increased construction of lifestyle centers, the format still hasn’t gained traction among a majority of shoppers.”
There is some good news for shopping center retailers catering to a younger and more affluent demographic. ShopperScape™ research indicates that shoppers age 18 to 24 and 25 to 34 shop a variety of shopping center types monthly, both in general and specifically for clothing, compared with other shopper segments. Although about one-third of all primary household shoppers visit regional malls monthly, that share surges to more than half for respondents age 18 to 24. And, among those shopping specifically for clothing, slightly more than one-quarter of all shoppers are in a regional mall at least once a month, compared with nearly 40% of 18- to 24-year-olds.
Monthly shopping incidence also tends to increase along with income across most formats.
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About TNS Retail Forward
TNS Retail Forward (www.retailforward.com
») is a global management consulting and market research firm specializing in retail intelligence and strategies. The company's syndicated research and executive development program, known as the Retail Forward Intelligence System™, provides members with an authoritative perspective on the retail and consumer products industries.
About ShopperScape™
TNS Retail Forward’s ShopperScape™ survey is conducted monthly with a nationally representative sample of 4,000 U.S. primary household shoppers. Survey results are available to members of the Retail Forward Intelligence System™ and ShopperScape™ as well as through individual reports available for purchase. For more information on ShopperScape™ or the Retail Forward Intelligence System™, contact kclarke@retailforward.com » or visit www.retailforward.com
».
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