Retail and Entertainment

This message has been cross posted to the following Discussion Forums: Committee of Corporate Architects and Facility Management and Retail and Entertainment .
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Four new types of American shoppers have emerged this holiday season.

There's the bargain hunter who times deals. The midnight buyer who stays up late for discounts. The returner who gets buyer's remorse. And the "me" shopper who self-gifts.

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/4-new-types-of-american-shoppers-emerged-this-holiday-season-2011-12#ixzz1hkfFpYf8

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Michael Lingerfelt AIA, LEED AP
President of Architecture and Design
Lingerfelt International
Orlando FL
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Interesting stuff.  USA Today yesterday had an article about the disappointing holiday sales over the season as well.  After a few years of constrained economic times, does this reflect a longer term shift in the consumer share of the national economy (a good thing in my opinion), or is this simply a short (but lingering) deviation from the 'normal' 70% consumer driven economy?

What does it mean for retail and retail related design and construction?  As we start the new year, what do you all see as the driving trends in our industries (retail AND entertainment) looking into the next 10 years - assuming the Mayans are wrong and the world does not end in 12 months...

Happy New Year to all!

Ed

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Edward Shriver AIA
Principal
Strada Architecture, LLC
Pittsburgh PA
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