KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Head to a mall anywhere in the metro and you'll find a mix of old school and contemporary shopping strategies and trends.
For example, coupon clipping is making a come back. According to research firm Inmar Inc., 2009 is the first time the activity has grown since 1992. In fact coupon use has spiked 20 percent since last Christmas.
The National Retail Federation says 42 percent of people expect to use a coupon this holiday season.
Some are clipping them from magazines, newspapers and mailers while others are going to Web sites like
www.coupons.com.
Another trend this season: using Facebook and Twitter for shopping advice and deals. A study through Comscore Inc. shows 28 percent of shoppers are being influenced by social media this holiday, whether it's a product review from a friend or a relative or a special offer from a retailer.
Rosemary Salerno, the General Manager of Zona Rosa, says the mall's fan base has grown to nearly 8,000 in just a few months.
"I mean it's direct communication, you can't do that with newspapers or tv or radio," Salerno said. "You just don't get that direct response from people."
Trend number three: last minute shopping. According to a recent study by UBS and America's Research Group, nine out of ten people are holding out for discounts of at least 50 percent before they wrap up their holiday shopping.
Trend number four: getting back to the basics. Ryan Oester, the Director of Marketing and Business Development at the Independence Center says "people are focusing more on traditional items, like clothing, music and books."
While many retailers are offering deals similar to Black Friday, some are even sweetening their discounts. Because retailers are keeping their inventories lean this year they're trying to avoid the huge deals they were forced to offer last year. But if this weekend isn't strong, analysts say they could be forced to give in.
According to ShopperTrak RCT Corp, sales have fallen 18% since the week of Black Friday. Last year at this time, sales were only down 14 percent.
