Photo: Bloomberg | Getty ImagesWhile smaller beer brands may be more nimble, one global brewer who has managed to successfully navigate the social media waters is Heineken. With more than 6.8 million "likes" on its main Facebook account, it has the largest worldwide fan base of any beer brand on the platform. “Got craft beer?” The phrase may seem like a laughable spoof of the famous “got milk?” campaign but not long ago the need for a similar style campaign was being discussed in craft beer circles. “Years ago we debated on the (Brewers Association) PR and Marketing Committee if we needed a ‘got milk?’-type campaign, if we needed to be on TV or billboards talking about craft beer,” Steve Hindy, Brooklyn Brewery's co-founder and ... Continue reading →

Just when you thought JCPenney expectations might be low enough? Nope. Not even close. Turns out the American consumer is addicted to a deal.Ryan T. Conaty | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesThe problem is the JCPenney [JCP Loading... () ] management team did not realize just how much their customer is addicted to the coupon drug. Weaning them off their addiction looks like a bigger challenge than Ron Johnson had originally anticipated. Same-store sales for first quarter plunged 18.9 percent and the reported loss was more than two-times expectations. Customer traffic was the main issue, and for the foreseeable future, I am not sure why that would change. Traffic declined 10 percent. High-traffic weekends were simply not high traffic, and the number of shoppers in the ... Continue reading →

Here it comes, Mother’s Day, the second biggest gifting holiday on the calendar behind Christmas. KidStock | Blend Images | Getty ImagesThis year, consumers are expected to stretch their budgets to show Mom the love. Consumers are expected to spend an average of $152.52 on Mother's Day gifts, up about 8 percent from $140.73 last year, according to a survey conducted by BigInsight on behalf of retail industry trade group, the National Retail Federation. Total spending should reach $18.6 billion. “Despite grappling with high gas prices, Americans will look for sentimental and unique ways to shower mom with affection this year,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. According to the NRF survey, consumers will spoil mom with special meals, clothing, electronics, flowers and more. ... Continue reading →

If you don’t know what a “beauty balm” or “blemish balm” is yet, chances are you will soon. Daniel Bosler | GettySales of the products, which are also known as BB creams, have grown significantly in the past several months, according to a new report from market researcher NPD Group. And it’s no wonder, as the creams blend together the benefits of several beauty products all in one — a plus for time-pressed women. Most combine the functionality of primers, sunscreen and moisturizers, along with the anti-aging benefits of skin serums. The relatively new product is catching on quickly among a small segment of U.S. women, NPD said. About 2 percent of women who buy beauty products are purchasing them. But the growth has been ... Continue reading →

Tetra Images | Getty ImagesSix items that have consumers buzzing in the world of beer, wine and spirits as we head into the weekend: 1. Marker's Mark Wax Seal Deserves Trademark: A U.S. appeals court has ruled that Beam's [BEAM Loading... () ] Maker's Mark Bourbon is allowed to enforce its trademark on the well-known dripping wax seal on its bottles. Citing bourbon's "unique place in American culture and commerce,” the court said the company could stop rival companies from using similar decorative seals. 2. Three Floyds Warns Against Black-Market Sales: Limited-release craft beers are becoming a cult-like phenomenon and brewers are now facing an increasing problem: limited supply is outpacing rabid demand. Munster, Indiana-based Three Floyds brewer took to their website to warn against ... Continue reading →

Getty ImagesEmployee turnover levels at retailers are on the rise, particularly among part-time store workers and positions tied to the booming ecommerce sector, according to the findings of a new survey by global management firm Hay Group. The findings may signal improvement in the economy, as employees are more likely to stick with a job — even if they don’t like it — when it is hard to find new work. But the development could be a double-edged sword for retailers, who are reporting that their turnover costs are about the same as pre-recession levels and are slowly starting to climb. In fact, 26 percent of the retailers Hay Group surveyed reported their turnover costs have increased over the past year. “On one hand, it’s ... Continue reading →

Disappointing results at accessory retailer Fossil sparked a selloff of the company’s stock that rippled throughout the retail sector, including the seemingly Teflon high-end retail sector. Source: FossilDisappointing results sparked a selloff of Fossil shares that rippled throughout the retail sector. Although Fossil’s [FOSL Loading... () ] first-quarter profit and revenue rose 4.2 percent and 9.8 percent respectively, revenue fell shy of analysts’ expectations. But it’s the company’s concerns about Europe and its lowered guidance that is sending its shares tumbling. Prior to today, Fossil shares were up 58 percent this year. Now, the stock is negative for the year-to-date period. “In Europe, a softening macro environment toward the end of the first quarter and changes in our merchandising and assortment strategies across certain categories ... Continue reading →

Source: Patron SpiritsCinco de Mayo festivities may begin tomorrow, but super-premium tequila producers have plenty of reasons to celebrate year-round. Last year, revenue rose 11 percent for suppliers of the luxury spirit, outpacing the five-percent growth for the total tequila category, according to the Distilled Spirits Council. Drawn by the popularity of the margarita and new higher quality tequilas, consumers are flocking in droves to more expensive products. Since 2003, revenue for the super-premium segment has shot up 357 percent while overall tequila sales have jumped 87 percent. “To some extent, this tracks what’s happening throughout the various categories of distilled spirits,” said Frank Coleman, the council’s senior vice president of public affairs and communications. “There’s been a steady migration by U.S. consumers. Consumers are ... Continue reading →

Tetra Images | Getty ImagesSix items that have consumers buzzing in the world of beer, wine and spirits as we head into the weekend: 1. North Carolina Sings the Blues: Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery has announced they are expanding to North Carolina. The company says it will open a brewing facility and restaurant/music venue in downtown Brevard, NC. The Oskar Blues announcement follows California-based Sierra Nevada Brewing and Colorado-based New Belgium Brewing announcing they will be opening facilities in Asheville, N.C. 2. Bell’s Brewery To Be Sold?: The future ownership of the seventh largest craft brewer in the country is being negotiated. Larry Bell of Michigan-based Bell’s Brewing says he is in negotiations to buy out 11 of 14 current shareholders. Bell is not ruling ... Continue reading →