Spike Santee Dot Com

Retailers and restaurants might have a little more luck o' the Irish this St. Patrick's Day as consumers gear up for private parties and special outings to celebrate the Irish holiday. According to the National Retail Federation's 2010 St. Patrick's Day survey, conducted by BIGresearch, celebrants will spend an average of $33.05 on decorations, party favors and green attire, up slightly from $32.80 last year. Total spending is expected to reach $3.44 billion.

When coming up with creative ways to promote your business, carefully think through your plans to avoid marketing blunders that might cause more harm than good.

With the 2009 holiday season now behind them, jewelers who have survived the year will find a weeded-out playing field and a consumer whose confidence will grow as the year progresses -- which means this year will be a time to look forward and not back. Industry analyst Ken Gassman says there is "zero question" that 2010 is going to be better than 2009.

The National Grocers Association held its annual convention and trade show in Las Vegas last week and attracted 20 percent more attendees than 2009. That in and of itself is an accomplishment in today's trade show environment, but it also provided insight into the current state of the independent segment of the supermarket industry where operators are bringing a unique value proposition to the market and winning the battle with some chain stores.