How storytelling enhances the sales process

[Monika D'Agostino] From a very early age on I was fascinated by fairy tales and stories. Storytelling is essential in a consultative sales environment. It helps you connect with your prospects and it is a great way to add value rather than pushing a feature. 7 May 2013 06:59

Women in sales - are we equals?

[Monika D'Agostino] Last week, on the train back from a business meeting in New York City, I started reading Sheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In". 30 Apr 2013 07:02

Young men: Their beauty secret

CHICAGO, US: While "made for men" beauty products are now mainstream, latest research from Mintel reveals that online retailing is the ultimate shopping channel for American men when it comes to beauty. Indeed, the ease and convenience features of shopping online appeal to some 60% of men aged 18-34 who buy beauty products and agree that buying online is more convenient than shopping in-store. This compares to 52% of women of the same age - and 41% of their older male counterparts (aged 55+). 21 Jan 2013 11:53

Festive facts from Mintel for the holidays

CHICAGO, US: As the final countdown begins, Mintel gets into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive stats and figures covering food and drink, health, alcohol, shopping, household goods and personal care. 31 Dec 2012 07:59

Green Monday spending jumps 13% to US$1.275bn

RESTON, US: comScore has reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 40 days of the November-December 2012 holiday season. 14 Dec 2012 07:24

US online holiday spending approaches US$27bn

RESTON, US: comScore, a leader in measuring the digital world, has reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 37 days of the November-December 2012 holiday season. For the holiday season-to-date US$26.6bn has been spent online, marking a 13% increase versus the corresponding days last year. 11 Dec 2012 12:52

US Cyber Monday results

RESTON, US: comScore has reported holiday season retail e-commerce spending for the first 30 days of the November-December 2012 holiday season. For the holiday season-to-date, US$20.4bn has been spent online, marking a 15% increase versus the corresponding days last year. 3 Dec 2012 08:27

Online US holiday sales seen growing 17%

WASHINGTON: US online holiday sales are already on the rise, and are expected to grow 17 percent from last year to US$43.4 billion, a new forecast said on Wednesday, 21 November 2012. 22 Nov 2012 11:23

#MedicationMarketing: How the pharma industry is using social media to sell

NEW YORK, US: A multi-billion dollar industry that's banned in all but the US and New Zealand, Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) pharmaceutical marketing is beginning to embrace social media, explains the latest report by international business experts GBI Research. 3 Jul 2012 10:06

American women most likely to use anti-aging face creams, the West leads in NPD

CHICAGO, US: The US$2.3bn (in 2011) US anti-aging skincare market has experienced substantial growth in the past five years, as women continue to clamour for the next advancement to stave off the signs of aging. 22 Jun 2012 09:26

Small business gets an official day

NEW YORK, US: In 2010, American Express created Small Business Saturday, a new shopping day right after Black Friday, to help small businesses get what they needed most: more customers. 21 Jun 2012 05:56

Being a mom changes your purchasing habits

CHICAGO, US: When Mother's Day nears, many children, fathers and loved ones are shopping for the perfect gift to show their appreciation for their parent or significant other. However, recent Mintel research found that being a mom changes the way women shop, as an increased emphasis is put on the safety, value and nutrition of everyday purchases. 16 May 2012 12:06

comScore: US$44.3bn in Q1 2012 US retail e-commerce spending

RESTON, US: comScore, Inc has released its Q1 2012 US retail e-commerce sales estimates, showing that online retail spending reached US$44.3bn for the quarter, up 17% versus year ago. 10 May 2012 09:55

MasterCard launches partnership program

PURCHASE, US: MasterCard has announced a global initiative called the MasterCard Mobile Money Partnership Program to help more than 2.5 billion financially-underserved consumers worldwide gain access to formal financial services through their mobile phones. 28 Feb 2012 11:08