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CSRA Back To School Shopping To Top $74.7M in 2023

Jul 17, 2023 3:13:52 PM / by Larry Julius

“Back-to-class shopping is one of the most important consumer shopping occasions of the year," says Matthew Shay, President and CEO of the National Retail Federation (NRF).  "Our research for 2023 shows American consumers are eager to jumpstart their back-to-school and college purchases early."

Based on per capita spending estimates from the NRF, Augusta, Georgia area parents are expected to spend a record $74,783,779 to prepare more than 91,600 children returning to grades K-12. These expenditures will exceed 2022 back-to-school sales by 12.5%

Expenditures to equip K-12 students in the Augusta area will be on:

  • Clothing: $27.3 million
  • Shoes: $21.6 million
  • Supplies: $14.1 million
  • Electronics: $11.7 million

In addition to expenditures for K-12,  $169.3 million is expected to be spent in the Augusta area to prepare college students for their return to campus. This is 27% more than was spent last year. Another record.

The biggest spending categories to equip Augusta area college students in 2023 will include:

  • Electronics: $41.8 million
  • Dorm/Apartment Furniture: $23.6 million
  • Clothing: $22.5 million
  • Food Items: $18.7 million

In order to capture the largest portion of this record back-to-class cash, Augusta small business owners will need to fight to keep these dollars local. According to the NRF, a painful majority of shoppers plan to buy online and in department stores.  While only 13-15% of consumers plan to buy locally.

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Advertising In Augusta: Why Radio Is Still The Best Option

Jun 25, 2023 1:35:58 PM / by Larry Julius

Local businesses have been marketing their goods and services on Augusta, Georgia radio since June 25, 1930. That's when Warren Davenport and Clark Jack put Augusta's first radio station, WRDW, on the air.

Mr. Davenport and Mr. Clark were owners of Musicove, a store at 309 Eighth Street that sold radios, records, and sheet music.

The inaugural broadcast of WRDW began at 1:05 am and lasted nearly three hours. The first program included a performance by local musician J. Bernard Carpenter.

A few days later on July 3, WRDW broadcast a speech by J. Roy Cooper, a candidate for Mayor in Augusta. This was the city's first-ever political broadcast.

WRDW had several owners over the years including soul music legend James Brown.  Mr. Brown's family had moved to Augusta when the singer was four years old. 

Who could have guessed that 93 years later, advertising on Augusta radio would still be the best advertising option for all types of retailers and business owners.

Every week, according to Nielsen, Augusta radio reaches 343,125 adult consumers. This reach is significantly higher than all other advertising options including local TV, cable, social media, streaming video, online audio, and newspapers.

Reach, according to Nielsen, is the audience metric most responsible for driving the success of an advertising campaign. Only the message itself carries more sway.

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Lessons A CSRA Business Can Learn From World's Biggest Advertiser

May 12, 2023 4:27:07 PM / by Larry Julius

There are 15,499 small businesses in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Metro Area, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Almost every one of these businesses is competing for a portion ofƒ the $11.4 billion of local retail spending expected to occur in 2023.*

To capture the largest share of this giant pool of consumer cash, Augusta small business owners will need to consider advertising.

"Think you have a great product?" asks the U.S. Small Business Administration. "Unfortunately, no one's going to know about it unless you advertise. Advertising, if done correctly, can do wonders for your sales., and you know what that means: more revenue and more success for your company."

One of the best ways to advertise in August may be on local radio, a fact not lost on the world's largest advertiser, Proctor & Gamble. Last year, P&G upped spending on the radio by 43% to $235 million, according to Vivvix (formerly Kantar Media), led by a big jump in local radio.

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Advertise In Augusta: Retail Sales To Exceed $11.4 Billion in 2023

Apr 11, 2023 9:50:46 AM / by Larry Julius

Despite high-interest rates, inflation, and recession fears, Augusta, Georgia, area consumers are expected to spend between $11.4 and $11.6 billion dollars at retail in 2023, according to recent per capita forecasts based on a survey by the National Retail Federation. This will be a 4-6% increase over 2022.

“In just the last three years, the retail industry has experienced growth that would normally take almost a decade by pre-pandemic standards,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “While we expect growth to moderate in the year ahead, it will remain positive as retail sales stabilize to more historical levels."

The challenge for CSRA retailers, however, is keeping a significant share of these dollars in local cash registers. According to the NRF, the amount of money spent online and non-store options will increase by 10-12%. This is nearly twice the growth rate of all 2023 retail dollars and translates to more than a $1.1 billion dollar outflow.

To keep the expected deluge of new retail dollars local, area small business owners will need to advertise to convince Augusta consumers of all the benefits of buying from local companies.  By almost every marketing metric, the best way to advertise is on Augusta radio.

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In-Car Listening Drives Augusta Radio To The Top

Mar 15, 2023 7:49:59 AM / by Larry Julius

Augusta, Georiga radio reaches more CSRA consumers each week than any other advertising medium.

According to Nielsen, 367,447 adults tune in to their favorite AM/FM stations every week.  This is significantly more consumers than are reached by Augusta TV, cable, streaming video, streaming audio, social media, or newspapers.

AM/FM radio's dominance among local consumers is driven, in large part, by the 406,962 CSRA adults who take to the road in their car or truck every week, according to Neilsen.

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Best Way To Advertise In CSRA: Furniture & Mattresses

Feb 23, 2023 3:15:35 PM / by Larry Julius

Over the next 12 months, according to Nielsen, 62,631 Augusta, Georgia area households plan to buy furniture and mattresses. Based on a per capita forecast from Furniture Today, these expenditures will total $223.7 million during 2023, a $4.1 million dollar increase over 2022.

Although the forecast growth of furniture and bedding sales is expected to moderate a bit versus 2021, what retailer would not want to grab a share of the multi-million dollar category growth this year?

To capture a bigger share of the increased spending on chairs, couches, beds, tables, and mattresses will require local stores to invest in marketing. And according to most key metrics, the best way to reach CSRA furniture buyers is with advertising on Augusta radio.

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Topics return on investment, roi, retail, radio advertising, television reach, radio reach, reach, furniture, mattresses, retail sales, retailer, retail stores, reach and frequency, reach & frequency, retail spending, advertising return on investment, advertising reach, advertising roi

Valentine's Spending In Augusta & CSRA Expected To Grow 8.4% in 2023

Jan 26, 2023 1:58:35 PM / by Larry Julius

CSRA business owners should brace for a sweet Valentine's Day in 2023.

Based on per capita spending forecasts from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Augusta area consumers are expected to spend $45.9 million on their Valentines this year, 8.4% more than they did in 2022.

Overall, says the NRF, 52% of consumers plan to celebrate Valentine's day this year. On average, each celebrant will spend $192.80 on holiday gifts and outings. This is $17 more than last year.  Here is the most interesting part, though.

"While spending on significant others and family members is in line with last year, many consumers are looking to show appreciation for the other meaningful relationships in their lives," says the NRF. "Of the $17 increase in per-person spending, $14 comes from gifts for pets, friends, and co-workers, along with classmates or teachers."

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Topics return on investment, roi, retail, television reach, radio reach, valentine's day, reach, retail sales, retailer, retail stores, reach and frequency, reach & frequency, retail spending, advertising return on investment, advertising reach, advertising roi

Surprise? Augusta Radio Is Still #1 Way To Reach CSRA Consumers

Nov 30, 2022 4:22:44 PM / by Larry Julius

Augusta, Georgia area business owners have an abundance of options for marketing their goods and services to local consumers. New research from Nielsen, however, indicates that advertising on Augusta radio is still the best way to reach local shoppers.

Every week, according to Nielsen, Augusta radio reaches 367,446 adults. This is significantly more than are reached by social media, local TV stations and cable systems, newspapers, streaming video and audio, and podcasts.

In addition to listening to their favorite Augusta radio stations over the air, Nielsen reports that 106,828 adults also listen to local stations online every month.

As a matter of fact, according to a study conducted by Edison Research during the third quarter of 2022, among Adults 25-54, 17% of all time spent listening to local AM/FM stations occurs online. This share of online listening has nearly doubled since 2016.

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Holiday Spending In Augusta Will Top $1.7 Billion In 2022

Nov 11, 2022 4:47:31 PM / by Larry Julius

Economic concerns among CSRA consumers are not expected to subdue holiday shopping in in 2022.  Based on forecasts from The National Retail Federation, local shoppers are projected to spend at least $1.7 billion this year. This would be 6% more than was spent in 2021.

“While consumers are feeling the pressure of inflation and higher prices, and while there is continued stratification with consumer spending and behavior among households at different income levels, consumers remain resilient and continue to engage in commerce,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “In the face of these challenges, many households will supplement spending with savings and credit to provide a cushion and result in a positive holiday season.”

The biggest challenge facing Augusta, Georgia area business owners is keeping holiday spending local. NRF expects 10-12% of purchases to happen online from retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

To lay claim to this expanding pool of holiday spending,  and keep business local, small business owners will need advertising. By, most marketing metrics, the best way to advertise is on Augusta radio.

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Topics return on investment, roi, holiday shopping, christmas shopping, consumer spending, radio advertising, advertise on radio, holiday advertising, advertising return on investment, advertising reach, advertising roi

CSRA Consumers Still Spending Despite Economic Sentiment

Aug 9, 2022 10:15:56 AM / by Larry Julius

Local consumers may have a gloomy feeling about economic conditions, but their spending has not tapered. This is good news for the 391,000 small business owners in the Augusta, Gerogia area.

According to the latest University of Michigan's Survey of Consumers, sentiment about current economic conditions remains near the all-time low. Concerns about volatile gas prices, rampant inflation, and a looming recession have driven the survey's index down 37% versus a year ago.

Despite these dim consumer sentiments, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's July report shows that real personal consumption expenditures are pacing well above pre-Covid levels. According to Morgan Stanley research, consumers' ability to spend is being driven, in part, by a massive amount of excess savings accumulated over the course of the pandemic.

Earlier this year, based on per capita spending data from the National Retail Federation (NRF). Augusta area consumers were forecast to spend nearly $8.7 billion at retail this year. The current level of spending suggests that shoppers are on track to hit that number.

Of course, for local business owners to successfully compete for a share of this record spending requires marketing. By most key marketing metrics, the best way to advertise is on Augusta radio. This is especially true among business owners who must limit the number of marketing channels that can be used because of economic restraints.

Of all media, advertising on the radio provides the greatest return on investment.

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Topics best way to advertise, roi, recession, consumer spending, radio advertising, reach, reach and frequency, consumer confidence, advertising reach, inflation, advertising roi

Augusta Radio Is The #1 Advertising-Supported Medium

Jul 7, 2022 10:41:16 AM / by Larry Julius

Local business owners have been advertising on Augusta, Georgia radio since WRDW first signed-on in 1930.  But, back then, there were only two options for reaching a mass audience: newspapers and radio.

Today, though, advertisers have an over-abundance of marketing options both over-the-air and online. But every week, according to Nielsen, 391,000 adults listen to an Augusta radio station, giving the 101-year-old medium, by far, the biggest reach amongst local consumers.

A new report released last week by Nielsen underscores AM/FM radio's durable reach among all media.

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Mother's Day Spending In CSRA Will Top $55 Million In 2022

Apr 22, 2022 1:43:28 PM / by Larry Julius

Eighty-four percent of all adults say they will celebrate Mother's Day in 2022. Based on per capita forecasts from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Augusta, Georgia area consumers are expected to spend $55.9 million on the moms in their lives. This is a 13% increase over last year.

“Consumers are eager to find memorable ways to honor their mothers and other important women in their lives and are willing to spend a little extra on this sentimental holiday,” said NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay.

The NRF spending projections indicate that CSRA consumers will spend $12.3 million on jewelry and another $9.3 million on special outings such as dinner or brunch. This will be the highest level of Mother's Day spending ever in these categories.

Here is how this large pool of Mother's Day cash in Augusta is expected to be distributed by all retail categories.

The NRF research indicates that men will outspend women 3-to-1 this year on Mother's Day gifts. Most of these dollars will go towards presents for their moms, stepmoms, and wives.

Of all the money spent, CSRA consumers are expected to spend 36% online, 30% at department stores, 27% at specialty stores, and 23% at local small businesses.

To compete for a share of record-high Mother's Day spending this year, local business owners will need to advertise. By most key marketing metrics, the best way to reach holiday shoppers is by advertising on Augusta radio.

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Advertising ROI: Augusta Radio Best Choice For CSRA Retailers

Apr 14, 2022 2:12:29 PM / by Larry Julius

Augusta, Georgia area consumers are expected to spend close to $8.9 billion at retail in 2022, based on per capita spending estimates from the National Retail Federation (NRF). This would be an eight percent increase versus 2021.

To capture significant shares of the increased retail spending, the 15,499 small business owners in the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) would typically invest in advertising. Persistent and pernicious inflation pressures, however, are starting to gnaw away at marketing budgets.

According to the National Federation of Independent Business Owners (NFIB), businesses cite inflation as their number one problem. For many Augusta business owners, uncontrollable wholesale, transportation, and labor costs are forcing retailers to raise the prices they charge their customers. But, for many retail products, inflated retail prices can drive customers away. 

To limit consumer price increases and still make a profit, CSRA business owners, then, are forced to cut expenses, including advertising and marketing. This means it is now imperative that the limited investments retailers can make in advertising must deliver the strongest returns possible. 

According to a recent study by Nielsen, advertising on Augusta radio can provide the best return on investment (ROI) for local retailers.

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Topics return on investment, roi, retail, television reach, radio reach, reach, retail sales, retailer, retail stores, reach and frequency, reach & frequency, retail spending, advertising return on investment, advertising reach, advertising roi

Advertise In CSRA: Retail Spending To Top $8.7 Billion in 2022

Mar 23, 2022 9:22:14 AM / by Larry Julius

There are 15,499 small business owners in the Augusta, Georgia area, according to the US Census Bureau. Each of these companies will need larger advertising budgets to successfully compete for a fair share of the expected explosion in consumer spending this year.

Based on new forecasts from The National Retail Federation (NRF), Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) consumers are expected to spend between $8.7 and $8.9 billion at retail in 2022, a six to eight percent growth over the previous year.

The NRF's forecasts exclude restaurants, gas stations, and automotive dealers. Included in the numbers, though, are non-store and online sales, which, in Augusta, could reach as high as $2.1 billion this year. This level of spending would be 13% more than in 2021.

Even though the rate of growth rate for 2022 is lower than the 14% jump in 2021, the NRF points out that this year's spending will be well ahead of the 10-year,  pre-pandemic growth rate of 3.7%

To participate in the expected surge in retail spending will require CSRA business owners to advertise. Especially if retailers want to hold their own against the continued growth of non-store and online competition.

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Topics return on investment, roi, retail, radio advertising, radio reach, reach, retail sales, retailer, retail stores, reach and frequency, retail spending, advertising return on investment, advertising reach, advertising roi

Augusta Radio Still Reaches More CSRA Consumers Than All Other Media

Dec 10, 2021 3:52:26 PM / by Larry Julius

When WRDW-AM became Augusta's first radio station in 1930, there was no Facebook, no Xfinity, no Sirius/XM, no Netflix, and no podcasts. It would be 23 years before there was even a local TV station.  Consequently, it was pretty easy for radio to become the number one reach medium among local consumers.

Over the past 91 years, CSRA business owners have come to depend on the mammoth reach of radio among local shoppers to successfully market the goods and services they sell. Advertising on Augusta radio has helped Georgia and South Carolina companies to survive and thrive during world wars, natural disasters, recessions, depressions, and even a pandemic.

Heading into 2022, local consumers have more media choices than ever before. But, despite the overabundance of social media, video streaming, audio streaming, cable, and other technological marvels, Augusta radio is still the most used advertising medium.

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