Economic Forecast 2014 - Kathy Doyle Thomas, CSO, Half Price Books, October 25, 2013, Dallas, TX

1. 2014
Economic
Forecast
Kathy
Doyle
Thomas
Chief
Strategy
Officer
Half
Price
Books

3. State of Retail
in North Texas
Kathy Doyle Thomas
Chief Strategy Officer
Half Price Books

4. Texas-based Retailers

5. New to North Texas

6. Real Estate in Metroplex
• The market is alive and booming
• Multi-family properties are popping up everywhere
• DFW office space is at a premium – vacancy rate dropped a
full percentage point quarter-to-quarter
• Many retailers are taking over existing centers instead of
building new ones

7. Issues for Retailers this
Holiday Season
• NRF says government shutdown makes customers cautious
about holiday spending
• Shoppers plan to spend 2% less
• 29% say government situation affects spending plans
• 51% say the economy would have impact on holiday spending
• 79.5% plan to spend less overall
• Thanksgiving is late, so shopping season shorter

8. Buying Habits
• Amazon is every retailer s competition
• Showrooming is a major problem for retailers
• 43% of people have admitted to showrooming

9. Buying Habits
• Customers more savvy than ever
• Mobile devices allow for immediate product research
• If they don t like something, they love to share

10. Mobile Devices/Tablets
• 55% of time spent with online retail in June 2013 occurred
on a mobile device
• 44% on smart phones and 11% on tablets
*according to a survey by comScore

11. HPB Customer Strategy
• HPB offering new product mix like new bestsellers at
all stores
• We cannot let a customer leave without buying a book

12. HPB Customer Strategy
• Half Price Books is revamping website to help
compete in online sales
• Customer service is more important than ever to
compete with Amazon