Word-of-mouth has big influence on shopping
Word-of-mouth has a big influence on electronics and apparel purchases, according to a survey released by the Retail Advertising and Marketing Assoc. (RAMA). "With the strong influence that product reviews and word-of-mouth are making in buying decisions, it's no wonder that many retailers are exploring viral marketing to attract customers this holiday season," said RAMA executive dir. Mike Gatti. Viral marketing spreads news about products using pre-existing social networks and often employs new types of media. The RAMA survey showed that 69.2% of consumers between the ages of 18-35 regularly use a cell phone, 37.9% regularly use instant messaging and 32.3% use an mp3 player. Add to that another challenge for advertisers: 22.6% of this age group regularly use digital video recording, like TiVo, to record and replay TV shows, often skipping commercials.

Trees for Troops campaign takes off
FedEx and the Christmas Spirit Foundation recently launched Trees for Troops, a nationwide program to deliver more than 3,000 cut Christmas trees to soldiers and their families. The campaign kicked off Nov. 16 in Columbus, Ohio, when FedEx and the Ohio Christmas Tree Assoc. collected and shipped more than 200 trees to the Middle East. In addition to the international transport, the Trees for Troops program will collect and deliver trees to military bases in the U.S. until Dec. 9.

Marketers explore Hispanic buying habits
Hispanics are increasingly flexing their consumer clout. Here are some facts and figures about this burgeoning market.
→ Study explores Latino identity. Assoc. of Hispanic Advertising Agencies
→ Hispanic buying power grows. UGA Selig Center
→ Top Latino markets. Ethnic Marketing Solutions

U.S. Mint unveils presidential $1 coins
The first 4 in a series of $1 coins commemorating U.S. presidents were unveiled Nov. 20. Coins featuring George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison will enter circulation next year. The Washington coin will start distribution in mid-February and the remainder of the coins will be issued in 3-month intervals. The new presidential coins are identical in color and size to the Sacagawea Golden Dollar coins. Each president will be honored with a single $1 coin, regardless of the number of consecutive terms he served. Grover Cleveland, the only U.S. president to serve non-consecutive terms, will be honored on two coins. No living former or current president will appear on a coin.

Amazon is tops in customer service
Amazon.com is the nation's top company for customer service, according to Nat.'l Retail Federation Foundation/American Express Customer Service Survey. Amazon.com is followed by Nordstrom, L.L. Bean, Overstock.com and Lane Bryant. Retailers rounding out the top 10 are Boscov's, Kohl's, REI, Lands' End and Macy's. Survey respondents said they expect the most customer service from restaurants, specialty stores and department stores.

X-Factor contest winner selected
Congratulations to Mary Edwards of Mary's Nursery & Landscaping in Genesee, Idaho., who won the Oct. X-Factor contest and received $500 worth of Goldsmith Seeds' Ramblin' trailing petunia pots and tags.

Worth a visit
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