NR Market Watch

Getting UnBundled

Mark — Wed, 16 May 2012 22:30:31 +0000

It seemed like such a good idea. Bundling your TV with your internet and your phone. Getting all your services on one bill was so much more convenient. At first, studies showed that the idea was catching on.

However a recent Nielsen study showed that last year 1.5 million homes cut the cord on the TV/internet/phone bundles. Many consumers are opting to consume their entertainment from game consoles and standalone devices like Roku. Hulu and Netflix are taking a big bite out of cable and satellite television. Amazon, Apple and even Google are diverting people away from traditional methods of TV entertainment.

The traditional land line is going away too. The availability of mobile phones and internet phone services have made bundling an antiquated home phone line valueless to most people.

The study also noted that time spent watching television is down 46 minutes per typical user. The reason – DVRs. People are skipping commercials.

What about you? How are you getting these services?

Women’s retail clothing buys dominated by “Bargainistas”

Mark — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:16:10 +0000

You’ve seen her before; always scouring the clearance racks, looking for the best sales and pulling out coupons at the register. She’s a Bargainista.

For this type of person, shopping is more like a competitive sport rather than a passive activity. This doesn’t mean she sacrifices style for cheap bargains. She is more likely to be pulling together a high dollar look with her expertly selected purchases.

Recently, BIGinsight Analysis conducted a survey that examined the behaviors of those shopping for women’s apparal. Here’s what they found . . .

Shopping Strategies and Behaviors – “Somewhat/Very true”
Adults 18+

Coupons are essential when buying apparel. (36.3%)
Getting a great deal on apparel is like a “sport” for me. (56.1%)
I browse social media sites and /or blogs for outfit ideas. (19.6%)
I enjoy looking through catalogs, direct mail advertisements and circulars for apparel. (48.1%)
I enjoy shopping for apparel sales and discounts. (58.0%)
I plan my shopping trips for apparel around the coupons I have. (33.0%)
I think that shopping for apparel is a necessary evil. (39.2%)
I try to re-create high-dollar looks on a low-dollar budget. (42.8%)
Shopping for apparel is one of my favorite pastimes. (31.8%)
The price of a garment is one of the last things I look at when shopping for apparel. (20.6%)
Value and EDLP are more important to me than apparel sales or discounts. (49.1%)

Source: BIGinsight™ Monthly Consumer Survey, APR-12 (N=8,724)

CLick here for the full report on Behaviors and Shopping Strategies of Apparel Shoppers.

Mother’s Day spending to increase to $152.52 average

Mark — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 16:53:38 +0000

The National Retail Federation is projecting average Mother’s Day spending will increase from last year’s $140 to $152 in 2012.

Spending will largely be in traditional categories: Two-thirds (66.4 percent) will buy flowers, spending a total of $2.2 billion, and nearly one-third (32.8 percent) will treat mom to a new blouse or sweater, spending $1.6 billion on clothing and accessories. Those buying electronics (12.7 percent) will shell out a total of $1.6 billion on tablets,and digital cameras.

For the full report see the National Retail Federation’s Mother’s Day story.

Vineyard surveys will be mailed in February

Mark — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:27:03 +0000

[Portland, Oregon] – The Oregon Vineyard Survey conducted by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) produces the widely used Vineyard Report every year. In 2010 it showed wine grape land had increased by more than a thousand acres, while yields dropped by 28 percent. Readers can see this information broken down by grape variety, and also by growing region within the State. Prices and grape losses are published as well. This diverse set of data shows a comprehensive picture of Oregon’s wine grape industry, essential information for successful planning and marketing.
The vineyard and winery program has changes in 2011 driven by the tightened USDA budget. In cooperation with the Oregon Wine Board, NASS reduced the project’s scope, making every attempt to retain the most valuable foundation. While the vineyard information published remains largely the same, several county-level breakouts were discontinued. The detailed winery portion has been dropped altogether. Facing financial adversity, reduction decisions were made diligently in order to preserve the elite quality of core statistics expected by the wine grape industry.
Growers and vineyard managers will receive the 2011 Vineyard Survey in the mail by the beginning of February. Participants may mail back their forms, or respond securely online at www.agcounts.usda.gov. After a few weeks, those who have not yet responded can expect a second mailing as a reminder, and in some cases a phone or personal interview. The anticipated release date for the 2011 Vineyard Report is April 16. As always, careful and complete survey responses are vital for high quality statistics.
Survey participants are guaranteed by law (Title 7, U.S. Code) that their individual information will be kept confidential. NASS uses their information only for statistical purposes and publishes data only in tabulated totals.
Results are available online at http://www.nass.usda.gov/or under “Oregon Publications”. For more information about the Oregon Vineyard Survey, call (800) 338-2157.

Newton to speak at DTO breakfast Jan. 26

Mark — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:24:07 +0000

Douglas Timber Operators Breakfast Meeting Announcement Please join us for our January 26 Roseburg Breakfast Meeting when we welcome our guest speaker Mike Newton Professor Emeritus, Oregon State University Program: Can Management of Douglas-fir Forests Provide What Everyone Wants? Elmer’s Thursday, January 26, 2012 7:00 a.m. No-Host Breakfast For more information, please contact Audrey at (541) 672-0757.

The best Super Bowl ads? Here’s a dozen that made a difference

Mark — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:18:00 +0000

Are these ads good? You bet! I still remember 11 of them. See them here.

From Eugene, OR – A work of art and science ranked best

Mark — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:05:18 +0000

Oregonians are not immune from taking undue pride in what we consider first and best in the nation. Bottle bills, assisted suicide, health programs are all regularly mentioned at least within the state as evidence of our progressive nature.

A Eugene man, David Imus, however, has created something of real merit. A singular work of art and science, map of the United States which took best of show at the annual competition of the Cartography and Geographic Information Society.

Six thousand hours of work over two years to create something special. You can read about it in Slate and you can purchase a copy of it here.

Is it time for a new job or just a new attitude

Mark — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:28:44 +0000

I admit that the first 3,000 times, or so, that I heard a speaker professing the need for passion fin the workplace I was dismissive. Just another paid talker throwing around the word du juor. I was unimpressed.

Sure, I’ve caught myself (often) speaking passionately about the work of newspapers, management issues, the past, present and future of media and community. People have described me as passionate about our mission and over time I have grudgingly come to terms with the word. When pressed, I know it is true.

So, I was struck by Jessica Stillman’s blog entitled, “Be passionate about work: No job change required”. The concept is easy to grasp and it is timely advice as we start the new year.

I’ve been fortunate to work in a field that is important: doing important things, with talented people, using abilities I’ve been blessed to have.

I suspect there are few fields of work that would give me as much satisfaction, and I know not everyone is as fortunate. If you are not similarly blessed with meaningful work it is probably time to move on, but until then Jessica’s advice was set to lyrics a few years ago by Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young – “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one your with”.

Roseburg’s 1st Citizen Banquet is Jan. 19

Mark — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:22:06 +0000

Theme ~ In Business For Business
5:45 p.m. Reception ~ 6:45 p.m. Dinner
Douglas Hall, Douglas County Fairgrounds
$60 per person or $575 for table of ten

Full tables will have priority seating and must be paid for in full at the time of registration. Reservations and payments will be accepted online on January 2, 2012 at www.roseburgareachamber.org/chamber/events.php. The chamber office will take reservations and payments beginning on January 3.

Title sponsors for this grand affair are Umpqua Bank and Umpqua Insurance Agency. ATRIO Health Plans, bbg Marketing and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians share the honor as corporate sponsors.
Future First Citizen awards sponsored by Umpqua Bank, The Bruce Family and Mercy Medical Center.

Doug County unemployment improves, still high

Mark — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 22:16:20 +0000

DOUGLAS COUNTY – The county’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains at a relatively high level and significantly above the statewide rate (9.1%). According to a survey of households, Douglas County’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 12.8 percent in November. Although lower than last year (14.5%), it is the fifth highest in the state. Losses continue to be particularly noticeable in the manufacturing sector, especially in the county’s wood products arena.

	November 2011	November 2010	November 2009
Civilian Labor Force	45,759	46,775	46,318
Employed	40,435	40,032	39,777
Unemployed	5,324	6,743	6,541
County Unemployment Rate	Seasonally Adjusted: 12.8%	Seasonally Adjusted: 14.5%	Seasonally Adjusted: 14.8%
State Unemployment Rate	Seasonally Adjusted: 9.1%	Seasonally Adjusted: 10.6%	Seasonally Adjusted: 11.0%
November 2011 Gains and Losses: (these are preliminary estimates and will be revised) Selected net, over-the-year (private sector) gains: Professional & business services: +140 Trade, transportation, & utilities: +130 (especially retail trade) Mining & logging: +60 Selected net, over-the-year (private sector) job losses: Manufacturing: -260 ; (wood products manufacturing: – 290 ) Leisure and hospitality: -80

Population: Portland State University Population Research Center estimates	July 1, 2011 107,795 21.3 people/square mile	July 1, 2010 107,690	2010-2011 change +105 (0.1%)
Average Pay per Job:	Douglas 2010 $33,341	Oregon 2010 $41,667	Douglas 2009 $32,742
For additional information: http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/BIC or The Douglas County Labor Trends publication: http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/PubReader?itemid=00000046 or Oregon Labor Trends (statewide) : http://www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/PubReader?itemid=00000051 If you would like to regularly receive this monthly update, please drop me an e-mail or phone! Annette.I.Shelton-Tiderman@state.or.us Workforce Analyst, Oregon Employment Dept.; 541-530-0605 (cell)