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Advertising In Charlotte: Why Radio Is Still The Best Option

Jun 23, 2023 11:49:55 AM / by Larry Julius

Local businesses have been marketing their goods and services on Charlotte radio since March 18, 1922. That's when the Federal Radio Commission granted a license to the Southern Radio Corporation with the randomly assigned call sign, WBT.

From studios located in the Realty Building located at the corner of Trade and Tryon, WBT began broadcasting music from phonograph records for two hours each day. The station's early broadcasts were heard by about 22,000 people using hand-built radio receivers.

Who could have guessed that 102 years later, advertising on Charlotte radio would still be the best advertising option for all types of retailers and business owners.

Nowadays, according to Nielsen, Charlotte radio reaches 1,983,988 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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Topics best way to advertise, small business owner, reach, small business marketing, small business advertising, reach & frequency, streaming media, streaming audio, advertising reach, radio listening, share of ear, advertising options, online radio listening

Charlotte Small Business Owners Expect Record Easter Spending

Mar 27, 2023 3:55:52 PM / by Larry Julius

More than 1.8 million Charlotte area consumers are expected to celebrate Easter in 2023, according to per capita forecasts from The National Retail Federation. In all, the NRF predicts $263 million will be spent this year.

Not only will spending on Easter in Charlotte top last year's take by 16%, but it will also blow past the spending record of $237 million set in 2021.

“Easter endures as an important holiday for many Americans, signifying new beginnings and a time of celebration with friends and family,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “As consumers plan to mark the occasion through a variety of traditions, retailers are dedicated to making this year a memorable holiday.”

According to the NRF forecasts, here's how Charlotte consumers are expected to spend their Easter Holiday cash:

  • Food: $80.0 million
  • Clothing: $43.8 million
  • Candy: $41.6 million
  • Gifts: $36.1 million
  • Flowers: $19.7 million
  • Decorations: $19.1 million
  • Greeting Cards: $10.9 million
  • Other: $9.8 million

There is one obstacle, however, between small business owners and this gargantuan pool of Easter cash.

According to the NRF, the vast majority of Easter shopping will be spent at discount stores, box stores, and online. Only 22% of spending will occur at local small businesses.

 

To Keep more of this cash in the Charlotte area, retailers will need to advertise to convince consumers of the values and benefits of buying from local small business owners.  According to most marketing metrics, the best way to advertise in Charlotte is on local radio.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, holiday advertising, holiday shopping

Best Way To Advertise In Charlotte: AM/FM Radio Still Rules

Aug 30, 2022 12:24:36 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte small business owners have an abundance of options for advertising their goods and services. Choices include local TV, local cable, social media, streaming video, streaming audio, podcasts, and newspapers.

The best way to advertise in Charlotte, however, is local radio.

Every week, according to Neilsen, 1.8 million adults tune-in to their favorite Charlotte radio stations. This is significantly more than any other advertising medium.

In addition to the adults who listen to Charlotte radio over-the-air, an incremental 82,282 adults connect to their favorite stations online as well using their phones, computers, and tablets. In all, according to Nielsen, 23.4% of all Charlotte radio listeners listen both online and offline.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, reach, small business marketing, small business advertising, reach & frequency, advertising reach, advertising ROI

Advertising On Charlotte Radio in 2022: Five Things to Know

Jul 20, 2022 8:39:36 AM / by Larry Julius

Local business owners have depended on Charlotte radio to market their goods and services since WBTthe city's first radio station, went on air in 1922. Despite the advent of new media and technologies since then, advertising on local radio stations is still the best way for the area's 92,427 small business owners to create and maintain customers.

Here are five facts every business owner should know about advertising on Charlotte radio in 2022.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, radio commercials, radio listening, charlotte radio, advertising on radio, advertise on Charlotte radio, radio formats, who listens to radio, car radio, am/fm radio, online radio listening

Advertising On Charlotte TV: Where Have The Viewers Gone?

Jun 13, 2022 2:37:02 PM / by Larry Julius

During the past seven days. according to Nielsen, only 70.9% of local consumers tuned in to Charlotte television stations like WBTV, WSOC, WNSC, WCNC, and WJZY.  TV's diminishing reach among adults 18 and older has been eclipsed by the audience size for social media, cable, and Charlotte radio. Furthermore, streaming video services such as Netflix, Hulu, Prime, and Disney+ are quickly reaching parity with over-the-air options.

The erosion of local TV station audiences is stunning when comparing prime-time ratings from the past.  In 1980, the highest-ranked TV show was Cheers with a 21.3 rating. The 30th-ranked show was The Wonder Years with a 14.2 rating.

Twenty years later, Survivor was the number one show with a 17.4 rating and Family Law was the 30th ranked show with an 8.8 rating.

Finally, in 2019, Sunday Night Football was the number one ranked show with a 10.9 rating. Survivor tied with Dancing With The Stars in 30th place with a 5.5 rating.

It is stunning to think that the number one TV show in 2019 had a 24% lower rating than the 30th-ranked show in 1980.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, television advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, television, pay-tv, cable television, direcTV, satellite TV, CTV, svod, avod, cable tv, local television, streaming television, streaming TV

Advertising On Charlotte Radio Still #1 Way to Reach Consumers

Jun 8, 2022 9:48:12 AM / by Larry Julius

Every week, according to new Nielsen data, 1,767,280  adults tune in to a Charlotte radio station. This is more consumers than use social media, access local cable, watch broadcast TV, stream video channels, listen to streaming audio, read a newspaper, or download a podcast.

Based on per capita estimates from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Charlotte consumers are expected to spend between $42.2 and $43.1 billion at retail in 2022, a six to eight percent growth over the previous year. Utilizing radio's enormous advertising reach, local business owners can compel shoppers to spend this large pool of cash in their stores and on their websites.

The number of consumers reached is critical to the success of an advertising campaign.

According to a Nielsen study, after the actual content of the commercial message itself, reach is the most potent advertising element that can drive sales. Reach is more important than brand, recency, or even context. Charlotte radio provides local business owners with the most significant reach among consumers.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, roi, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, reach & frequency, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, advertising reach, in-car audio, advertising ROI

Father's Day 2022: Charlotte Consumers Will Spend $170 Million

May 31, 2022 1:20:04 PM / by Larry Julius

Father's Day this year is on Sunday, April 19. Based on projections from the National Retail Federation (NRF), Charlotte shoppers are expected to spend $170.4 million on the dads in their life. This is on par with the record-breaking $171.2 million spent in 2021.

“Despite growing concerns about inflation, consumers plan to spend approximately the same amount as last year in celebration of Father’s Day,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Spending patterns also reflect the sentimental nature of the holiday as consumers are prioritizing unique and meaningful gifts.”

The NRF projects that nearly 60%, of all Father's Day purchases in Charlotte, will be for special outings, clothing, gift cards, and electronics. Although most category spending will be down slightly from last year, the amount of money spent on special outings such as dinner is expected to increase by over 8%.

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

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, holiday advertising, holiday shopping, consumer confidence, advertising options, FATHER'S DAY, father

Charlotte Radio Listeners Lead The Return To 'Normal'

Apr 28, 2022 10:23:01 AM / by Larry Julius

Each week according to Nielsen, 1.9 million consumers tune in to a Charlotte radio station. This is significantly more adults than watch local TV stations, cable, or streaming video. It is more than browse social media. It is more than listen to streaming audio services or podcasts. It is more than read local newspapers.

There are two traits Charlotte radio listeners have in common. First, they are very loyal to their favorites, tuning-in to, on average, only 2.3 different stations each week.

Second, and of particular importance to Charlotte small business owners, radio listeners are returning to 'normal' at a faster rate than the general population after more than two years of pandemic.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Nielsen has been measuring consumer sentiment in regard to normal behaviors. In a survey conducted in March of this year, 83% of adults say they are "ready to go and feel life is becoming more normal". This is up dramatically from the same time last year.

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Topics best way to advertise, consumer spending, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, consumer confidence

Advertise In Charlotte: How To Book Guests For A Podcast

Apr 26, 2022 1:26:05 PM / by Jason Muth

According to Nielsen, 96.0% of Charlotte adults have access to the internet. An online connection is all that is needed to listen to a podcast. In all 27.1% of consumers, in fact, do listen to podcasts every month. They listen while at home, commuting, at the gym, at work, at the local coffee shop, pretty much anywhere there is WIFI or good cell service.

Most likely, at one time or another, each of the 593,300 podcast listeners in the Charlotte area has thought to themselves, “I could do that. I could launch my own podcast.” This is theoretically true.

A quick Google search by aspiring Charlotte content producers will reveal which recording equipment to buy, how to edit shows, and how to post episodes for the world to hear on platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify Google, Stitcher, and Tune-In. The magic of being a successful podcaster, however, involves persistence, longevity, and consistently engaging content.

One element of podcasting that often adds dimension and perspective to new episodes is the use of podcast guests. Not only do guest experts supply engaging content, but usually they will participate in return for exposure without the need to shell out any cash.

But how does a Charlotte business small owner get started? It’s a very chicken-and-egg situation.

A podcaster first needs to publish episodes to demonstrate to potential guests that the podcast is worthy of their participation, especially because there are so many choices. Currently, there are over 2.4 million valid podcasts in Apple’s Podcast directory alone, according to podcast industry insights expert Daniel J. Lewis.

So, what separates podcasters who stick it out for the long haul from those who give up after just a few episodes?  One of the primary factors is the subject matter and the ability to book guests.

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Topics small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, podcasts, podcasting

Social Media Advertising In Charlotte: Should A Business Pay?

Apr 12, 2022 11:23:41 AM / by Ali Ahmed

According to Nielsen, 1.9 million adult consumers in Charlotte use social media every month, an audience that continues to expand. As a result of this growth, social media has become a crucial part of local advertising campaigns.

Social media allows Charlotte business owners to continually be in front of their target customers and to stay top-of-mind. It allows businesses to communicate daily and be the first company on call when needed. Social media has become essential for marketing local goods and services.

The best part is that social media is free to use for both Charlotte consumers and business owners.

There is no subscription service for social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram which, according to Nielsen, are used by 77.6% of Charlotte consumers each month. There are no monthly payments or premium memberships required to unlock more services.

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Topics social media advertising, instagram, small business, small business owner, facebook, small business marketing, small business advertising, social media, facebook advertising, twitter

Advertise In Charlotte: Retail Spending To Top $42.2 Billion in 2022

Mar 21, 2022 4:46:23 PM / by Larry Julius

There are 92,427 small business owners in the Charlotte 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), Charlotte-area consumers are expected to spend between $42.2 and $42.9 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 Charlotte, could reach as high as $10.2 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 Charlotte 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 best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, reach & frequency, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, advertising reach, advertising ROI

How To Create A Podcast For A Charlotte Small Business

Mar 11, 2022 2:50:11 PM / by Jason Muth

If you're anything like the 1.9 million Charlotte consumers who, according to Nielsen, listen to or download a podcast every month, you probably already see the value in podcasting as a relatively new audio medium that entertains, enlightens, motivates, or informs listeners.

But if you're part of the 73% of local adults who are not regular podcast listeners, you're probably wondering why on earth would anyone want to listen to a podcast, let alone create one for their Charlotte business.

Launching a podcast might seem like a daunting test for small business owners without much technical background or an understanding of how to structure a compelling conversation that will engage prospective customers.

In reality, local small business owners can easily reach new customers with podcasts and complement their traditional advertising in Charlotte with a longer-form, conversational medium that showcases the company's knowledge in an authoritative manner.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, podcasts, internet, podcasting, internet advertising

Advertising In Charlotte During A Time Of Inflation

Jan 26, 2022 3:47:27 PM / by Larry Julius

The current high rate of inflation is tempering how much Charlotte business owners can spend on advertising.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are approximately 92,000 small businesses in the Charlotte area. There is one thing each of the owners of the companies has in common, whether they own a hardware store in Indian Trail, a furniture store in Rock Hill, or a restaurant in Matthews, They are all experiencing the negative consequences of inflation.

In a monthly survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business Owners (NFIB), inflation now ranks second as the single most important problem companies face. A year ago, inflation was barely an issue.

Inflation has not hampered the enthusiasm to spend among Charlotte area consumers keeping retail sales hovering above pre-Covid levels. But, inflation is taking a dramatic toll on the amount of revenue business owners can keep.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, small business owners see inflation-fueled price increases in almost every cost of operation, including inventory, utilities, rent, and wages.

Because of these rising operational costs, Charlotte business owners are looking to cut expenses where they can, including advertising expenditures. But, because there is still robust consumer demand for goods and services, these companies need to make sure that the amount they do invest in advertising has the best return possible.

By almost any marketing metric, advertising on Charlotte radio provides the greatest return-on-investment (ROI) of any medium available to local business owners.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertising options, inflation, advertising on a budget

Best Way To Reach Charlotte's Holiday Shoppers In 2021

Oct 26, 2021 1:45:06 PM / by Larry Julius

Attention Charlotte small business owners and retailers: nearly half of holiday shoppers are already spending money. According to the National Retail Federation, 49% of consumers will start their Christmas season shopping before Hallowe'en. 

Consumers plan to spend $997.73 on gifts, holiday items, and other non-gift purchases for themselves and their families this year, according to the annual survey released today by the NRF and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

In all, based on forecasts from Deloitte, the world's largest accounting firm, Charlotte consumers are expected to spend between $10.9 and $11.1 billion during the holiday shopping period. This would be a 7-9% increase over 2020.

"We anticipate strong consumer spending for the upcoming holiday season. As vaccination rates rise and consumers are more comfortable being outside of the home, we are likely to see increased spending on services, including restaurants and travel, while spending on goods will continue to hold steady. A steady decline in the savings rate to pre-pandemic levels will support consumer spending and keep retail sales elevated this season," said Daniel Bachman, Deloitte's U.S. economic forecaster. "Further, e-commerce sales will continue to grow as consumers demonstrate an ongoing and steady movement toward buying online across all categories."

Charlotte retailers are noticing that the opening bell for holiday shopping has rung earlier than ever for local shoppers.

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Topics small business, small business owner, roi, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, parent, children, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, millennial parents, holiday advertising, holiday shopping, christmas, advertising ROI, online shopping, shopping

Advertising On Charlotte Radio: How Smart Speakers Add Value

Sep 28, 2021 11:47:59 AM / by Larry Julius

Since 1922 when WBT-AM first signed on, local small business owners have been advertising on Charlotte radio to market the goods and services they sell.

Lately, some of these advertisers are voicing concerns, though, that the accelerating use of smart speakers could erode the effectiveness of commercials on local stations. Current research, however, reveals that these devices actually extend the reach of the medium and its ad content.

More than 663.403 consumers in Charlotte have a smart speaker in their homes, according to Nielsen. This is 30.4% of the local adult population.

Smart speakers are internet-enabled devices controlled by spoken commands and capable of streaming audio content, relaying information, and communicating with other devices. 

According to the Cooperative Institutional Research Program (CIRP) data, Amazon Echo (aka Alexa) accounts for 69% of all smart speakers in use. Google's smart speaker makes up another 20% of the market. The remaining 11% of the market comprises Apple Home (aka Siri), Sonos, and Bose.

Charlotte consumers can use their smart speakers to accomplish a diverse range of tasks, including accessing news, weather, and sports information; turning on lights in the house; shopping; and food delivery.

The most common use of a smart speaker, though, is streaming audio, including Charlotte radio stations, according to eMarketer. Edison Research's Share of Ear Study indicates that consumers devote 13% of their total time using a smart speaker listening to AM/FM radio stations. This is second only to the time spent listening to Amazon Music at 19%.

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Topics radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, smart speakers, google home, amazon echo, siri, effective advertising, radio listening, alexa, how to advertise, apple

B2B Advertising: Why Job Sites Depend On Charlotte Radio

Sep 2, 2021 11:40:21 AM / by Larry Julius

If you were one of the 1.9 million adults who tuned in to Charlotte radio last week, then chances are excellent that you heard advertising for ZipRecruiter.  That's because the company purchased 1,137 advertisements to air on local stations during the month of August, according to Media Monitors.

ZipRecruiter is an online recruitment site that helps companies of every size advertise open jobs. Overall, more than 2.8 million companies have posted an opening on ZipRecruiter.com

It is no wonder that ZipRecruiter and its competitors like Indeed have been making significant advertising investments on Charlotte radio. Finding qualified workers is one of the toughest challenges facing local business owners. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings in the U.S. has reached a record high 10.1-million jobs with just not enough candidates to fill them.

If you've heard these commercials on Charlotte radio, then you know that ZipRecruiter is not advertising to attract job seekers to its website.  Rather, the company's goal is to convince local business owners to buy help wanted ads from them.

So, why has ZipRecruiter chosen Charlotte radio as a business-to-business (B2B) advertising resource?  The first reason is revealed in the first line of their commercial.

"According to research," says the announcer, "82% of people remember radio ads."

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, recruitment advertising, b2b advertising, business-to-business advertising, Zip Recruiter, indeed, advertising options

Advertising On Charlotte Radio: The 3 Frequency Myth

Aug 18, 2021 2:41:36 PM / by Larry Julius

Every week, according to Nielsen, Charlotte radio reaches 1.9 million adult consumers. This is significantly more people than are reached by local TV, cable, social media, streaming video, streaming audio, or newspapers.

Because of its humongous reach, area small business owners advertise on Charlotte radio to successfully market the products and services they sell.

Many first-time advertisers on Charlotte radio will ask how many times a consumer needs to hear a commercial before they become a customer.  Often the business owner is told that to be effective, a consumer needs to be exposed to a message three times before they will buy.  Unfortunately, this prescription for a three-time frequency is more myth than substance.

A study by Nielsen provides some data-based insights about effective frequency, But first, here's the origin of the mythological rule of three.

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Topics small business, small business owner, reach, frequency, small business marketing, small business advertising, reach & frequency, advertising reach, effective advertising, effective frequency

Best Way To Advertise In Charlotte With A Limited Budget

Aug 10, 2021 7:10:00 AM / by Larry Julius

To maximize success, every Charlotte business owner needs to advertise.

"Think you have a great product?" asks the US Small Business Administration. "Unfortunately, no one’s going to know about it unless you advertise.”

The SBA goes on to say, “Advertising, if done correctly, can do wonders for your product sales, and you know what that means: more revenue and more success for your business.”

According to the US Census Bureau, there are 92,497 small businesses in the Charlotte area. This geography includes Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, and every point in between.  Most of these diminutive companies have limited dollars to invest in advertising.  

Advertising successfully in Charlotte is achievable, though, with a small budget if the available funds are invested wisely.  Oftentimes, this means selecting one medium rather than spreading money over several.

So which medium makes the most sense for small business owners with limited budgets? By most key advertising metrics, advertising on Charlotte radio is the best option.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, reach & frequency, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, advertising reach, radio commercials, advertising ROI, duplication

Advertising In Charlotte: Five Amazing Facts About Local Radio

Jul 23, 2021 8:53:34 AM / by Larry Julius

Advertising is crucial to the success of Charlotte business owners. According to Investopedia, "lack of adequate marketing and publicity are among the issues that drag down small business".

According to Borrell Associates, a company that tracks advertising trends across the country, Charlotte business owners are expected to spend $1.03 billion to advertise the goods and services they sell. This represents a 7.9% increase versus last year.

The majority of these dollars are being spent by Charlotte business owners to capture a significant share of the $38.8 billion dollars local consumers will be spending this year. These estimates are based on a revised forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Of course, there is an over-abundance of ways a local business owner can advertise. Perhaps the best way to generate sales from local consumers is with Charlotte radio. Here are the top five reasons why...

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, millennials, roi, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, reach & frequency, advertising reach, radio commercials, time spent listening, advertising ROI

How Often Are Charlotte Consumers Online?

Jul 15, 2021 3:25:03 PM / by Larry Julius

Almost 96% of Charlotte adults have access to the internet.  Ubiquitous technology such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and connected TVs allow North Carolina consumers to go online whenever they choose, which, for some adults, is always.

The Pew Research Center, a public opinion research company, reports that one-in-three consumers say they are online constantly. A 50% increase from 2015.  In total, 85% of consumers say they connect at least one time every day.

So, how are Charlotte consumers spending all this time connected to the internet?

According to Nielsen, streaming audio and video content, social networking, checking the weather, and banking are the top online activities for Charlotte consumers each month.

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Topics best way to advertise, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, streaming media, streaming audio, CTV, streaming video, svod, avod, online shopping

Advertise On Charlotte Radio: Still Best Option For Small Business

Jul 9, 2021 9:37:26 AM / by Larry Julius

Retail spending in the Charlotte area is expected to reach $38.8 billion this year, a 13.5% increase versus 2020. These estimates are based on a revised forecast from the National Retail Federation (NRF).

Since March 18, 1922, when WBT-AM signed on as the first station in Charlotte, local business owners have depended on radio advertising to help market their goods and services to North and South Carolina consumers.  But has the Coronavirus pandemic altered the medium's ability to deliver customers to ring up sales for local retailers?

Two critical marketing metrics indicate that advertising on Charlotte radio remains the best way for a small business to advertise.

The first measurement is reach. This is the number of different consumers who are exposed to an advertising campaign.

The second measure is return-on-investment (ROI). This is the amount of sales a business can expect for every one dollar invested in advertising.

Based on these metrics, here is how advertising on Charlotte radio measures up to other options available to local small business owners.

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Topics radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, effective advertising, advertising ROI

Charlotte Retail Sales Expected To Blow Past Forecasts

Jun 24, 2021 1:54:56 PM / by Larry Julius

Earlier this year, based on projections from The National Retail Federation, Charlotte-area consumers were expected to spend more than $36.8 billion at retail this year, a 6.5% increase versus 2020. New data, however, indicates spending will be remarkably higher.

The NRF revised its data this month, and now expects annual growth of 10.5% to 13.5%. Based on these revisions, the Charlotte area retail economy could now top $38.8 billion. Excellent news for North Carolina small business owners.

“The economy and consumer spending have proven to be much more resilient than initially forecasted,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “The combination of vaccine distribution, fiscal stimulus, and private-sector ingenuity have put millions of Americans back to work. While there are downside risks related to worker shortages, an overheating economy, tax increases and over-regulation, overall households are healthier, and consumers are demonstrating their ability and willingness to spend. The pandemic was a reminder how essential small, mid-size and large retailers are to the everyday lives of Americans in communities nationwide.”

To put in historical context for Charlotte small business owners, Mr. Klenhenz noted that he anticipates the fastest growth the U.S. has experienced since 1984. The reopening of the economy has accelerated much faster than most had believed possible a year ago.

To capture the largest possible share of spending growth, local retailers will need to advertise. By the most crucial marketing metrics, the best best way to reach area consumers is by advertising on Charlotte radio.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, advertising ROI

Advertising On Charlotte Radio Makes Good Sense For Business Owners

Jun 16, 2021 12:34:14 PM / by Larry Julius

Since March 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was reported in the Charlotte area, more than 307,012 local people have been infected, according to data collected by USA Facts. The measures imposed to contain the outbreak have transformed the way consumers work, shop, commute, and conduct the business of everyday life.

One aspect of daily life in Charlotte that remains little changed due to the pandemic is radio listening. Despite the Coronavirus crisis, radio has held its long-held position as the most used of all local media. This is good news for area business owners who depend on radio for marketing their goods and service.

Each week, according to Nielsen, 1.9 million adult consumers tune-in to a Charlotte radio station.  This is significantly more people than are reached by all other local advertising options, including TV, cable, streaming video, streaming audio, social media, and newspapers.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, radio listening, listening location, time spent listening, advertising ROI

Wow!! Charlotte Millennials Turn 40 This Year

Apr 29, 2021 2:14:16 PM / by Larry Julius

There are 559,886 millennials in the Charlotte area.  The oldest of them turn 40 this year. According to The Pew Research Center, millennials comprise the generation of Americans born between 1981 and 1996.

As a consumer group, millennials account for an outsized percentage of retail spending. This generation represents 25.9% of the Charlotte area population but almost one-third of metro-area sales. 

All in, Charlotte millennials are expected to ring up more than $16.9 billion in purchases during 2021.  You name it, millennials are planning to buy it.

According to Nielsen, over the next 12 months, Charlotte millennials will be showing up in huge numbers at auto dealerships, furniture stores, mattress stores, appliance stores, home improvement stores, and scores of other area retailers and service providers.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, millennials, roi, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, reach & frequency, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, advertising reach, millennial parents, advertising ROI

Who Listens To Charlotte Radio?

Apr 22, 2021 3:37:52 PM / by Larry Julius

Every week, according to Nielsen, 89% of adult consumers tune in to a Charlotte radio station. This is significantly more people than watch broadcast TV, local cable, or video streaming services. It's more than use social media sites like Facebook or Instagram.  And, it's more than read local newspapers.

Charlotte radio is also the medium with the greatest reach among millennials, a generation that not only has embraced an abundance of online media options but also accounts for nearly a third of all local consumer spending.

This reach advantage is a crucial reason why local small business owners depend on Charlotte radio to market their goods and services.

A study released this week by Edison Research and NPR discovered that their six distinct types of radio listeners. The study also examines how each group of listeners engages with both programming and advertising.  These distinctions are important for Charlotte small business owners to understand.

The six listener categories as described in the study are:

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, reach, small business marketing, small business advertising, reach & frequency, advertising reach, effective advertising, share of ear

How Much Do Charlotte Business Owners Spend on Advertising?

Apr 16, 2021 9:05:37 AM / by Larry Julius

Now is a crucial time for Charlotte small business owners to advertise.  

According to the Conference Board, consumer confidence has surged to 110, the highest it has been since the onset of the pandemic last March.  The index has bounced back from a low of 89.6 in February. 

Moving forward, North and South Carolina business owners can expect buyer optimism to remind high.

“The recovery in consumer confidence is set to continue in the coming months, buoyed by the combination of improving health conditions and wider vaccine distribution,” said Lydia Boussour, lead U.S. economist at Oxford Economics. “This should support hearty consumer spending and pave the way for a mini-boom in economic activity this spring and summer.”

As Charlotte consumers gain confidence, they are expected to unleash the record $11.1-billion in personal savings amassed during the pandemic. This number is based on figures reported by Barron's in November. 

This combination of consumer confidence and the cache of cash-on-hand has led the National Retail Federation (NRF) to forecast a 7% increase in retail spending in 2021 versus last year.

To claim a significant share of the expected spending tsunami, Charlotte business owners plan to boost advertising investments this year.

According to Borrell Associates, a company that tracks advertising trends across the country, Charlotte business owners are expected to spend $1-billion to advertise the goods and services they sell. This represents a 7.9% increase versus last year.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, roi, reach, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertising reach, budget, advertising ROI, ad spending

Why Audio Advertising In Charlotte Drives Purchase Decisions

Apr 8, 2021 11:35:17 AM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte consumers are expected to spend nearly 7% more at retail in 2021 than in 2020. This forecast is based on recently released data from the National Retail Federation.

To lay claim to a significant share of growing consumer spending, North Carolina retailers will need to advertise.

“Think you have a great product?” asks the US Small Administration. “Unfortunately, no one’s going to know about it unless you advertise.”   

“Advertising, if done correctly, can do wonders for your product sales, and you know what that means: more revenue and more success for your business."

Scientifically speaking, the fastest way a marketing message can reach the areas of a Charlotte consumer's brain responsible for purchase decisions is through the ear.  That's why audio advertising can be far more potent than visual messaging.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, spotify, pandora, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, streaming audio, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, sirius/xm, podcasts

OTT & CTV: Who Watches Streaming Video In Charlotte?

Mar 19, 2021 8:27:54 AM / by Larry Julius

Each week, according to Nielsen, 67.6% of Charlotte consumers watch video programs that aren't delivered over-the-air by local TV stations.  They aren't coming from a local cable company or by satellite.  Instead, these programs are being streamed directly to viewers via an internet connection.

This type of streamed video content is called OTT (Over-The-Top-Television) or CTV (Connected-Television). These two terms are sometimes are often used interchangeably but do have a subtle difference.

OTT generally means the video is watched on a small device like a computer, tablet, or smartphone.  CTV, on the other hand, typically means the content is viewed on a smart-TV or a regular television using a streaming device like a Roku or Amazon stick.

In Charlotte, OTT/CTV has exceeded the weekly reach of local newspapers and streaming audio services such as Pandora and Spotify. The medium is rapidly approaching the reach of local cable and broadcast TV stations.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, streaming media, CTV, streaming video, advertise in charlotte, internet

Does Anyone Listen To Charlotte Radio At Night?

Mar 9, 2021 2:26:48 PM / by Larry Julius

Each week, according to Nielsen, more than 1.9 million adult consumers tune-in to a Charlotte radio station. This is significantly more than watch local TV or cable. More than stream video channels like Netflix or Hulu. More than read local newspapers. More than use Facebook or Instagram. More than listen to online audio services like Pandora and Spotify.

But almost everyone knows (including many who advertise on Charlotte radio) that consumers only listen to local radio stations during the day. Right? Wrong!

According to Nielsen, 49% of local consumers listen to Charlotte radio stations each week between 7:00pm and 12:00am. This is a larger audience than Pandora, Spotify, and Instagram combined reach during an entire week.

For Charlotte small business owners, radio's immense nighttime audience offers a unique value proposition.

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Topics small business, small business owner, time of day, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, effective advertising, radio listening, advertise on Charlotte radio, night, prime-time

Grab A Larger Share Of Charlotte's Accelerating Retail Spending

Mar 4, 2021 12:28:15 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte area consumers are expected to spend upward of $36.8-billion at retail in 2021. This would be, at minimum, a 6.5% jump over 2020. The forecast is based on newly released estimates by the National Retail Federation.

“Despite the continuing health and economic challenges COVID-19 presents, we are very optimistic that healthy consumer fundamentals, pent-up demand and widespread distribution of the vaccine will generate increased economic growth, retail sales and consumer spending,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said.

“From the outset of the pandemic, retailers have gone above and beyond even the most conservative safety guidelines to protect and serve their associates and consumers alike."

To capture the largest possible share of spending growth, local retailers will need to advertise. By the most crucial marketing metrics, the best best way to reach consumers is by advertising on Charlotte radio.

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Topics consumer spending, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, retail sales, retail stores, retailer

Advertise in Charlotte: How Local Consumers Use The Internet?

Feb 25, 2021 12:36:59 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte area business owners are expected to invest $595-million during 2021 to advertise to consumers connected to the internet. This forecast was produced by Borrell Associates, a company that tracks business advertising expenditures across the country.

These online marketing dollars will be spent on banner advertising, search engine marketing, email, as well as audio and video advertising. This is all to capture the attention of shoppers and buyers as they go about their connected days.

According to Nielsen, 95.8% of adult consumers in the Charlotte area have access to the internet. They connect, primarily, with desktop and laptop computers; smartphones; or tablets.

Ninety-six percent of Charlotte adults spend at least one hour per week online, with most spending at least 10 hours connected.

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Topics small business, small business owner, facebook, charlotte observer, online advertising, digital advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, facebook advertising, CTV, svod, avod, online shopping, advertise on Charlotte radio, advertise in charlotte, internet

Advertising In Charlotte: Reaching Female Consumers

Feb 10, 2021 7:56:48 AM / by Larry Julius

There are 1,148,000 adult women in the Charlotte area. Based on research from the Harvard Business Review, as a consumer group, females account for 70-80 percent of all consumer purchasing through a combination of their buying power and influence.  According to Nielsen, this will amount to between $35.9 billion and $41 billion this year.

Overall, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the US Census Bureau:

  • Single women across all income brackets spend, on average, $34,817 on goods and service
  • Working married women contribute over a third of their families’ incomes
  • Over a quarter (29.4%) of wives earned more than their husbands in 2018, an increase from 15.9% in 1981.

Furthermore, according to research published by Forbes:

  • The top homebuyers after married couples are single women (18%, double the percentage for single men at 9%).
  • Women are 50% more likely than men to regularly watch online how-to videos.
  • 94% of women between the ages of 15-35 spend over an hour per day shopping online.
  • 70% of travel consumers are women.
  • 85% of women say that if they like a brand, they will remain loyal to it.

For Charlotte small business owners to successfully capture a meaningful share of the local female economy requires advertising.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, working mothers, advertise on Charlotte radio, advertise to women, market to women, moms

How Smart Speakers Affect Advertising On Charlotte Radio

Feb 4, 2021 1:24:53 PM / by Larry Julius

Charlotte's first radio station, WBT-AM, began broadcasting on March 8, 1922.  The process of getting the station's programming from the studio into the home of local listeners required tall-transmitting towers with miles of underground copper wire in the middle of massive fields.

For the next 71 years, this massive investment in real estate, steel, and cooper was the only method of delivering a radio advertiser's message into the ears of Charlotte consumers.

In 1993, however, new technology permitted Charlotte radio stations to augment the reach of their tall towers by simultaneously streaming its over-the-air programming via the internet. This provided local consumers with the choice of listening to their favorite stations on their car radios, clock radios, and boom boxes or on an internet connected devices like computers, smartphones, or tablets.

Today, based on estimates from Edison Research, 11% of listening to local radio stations occurs on a streaming media device.  The ability for AM/FM to migrate from their tall towers to internet streaming allows Charlotte radio to reach more local consumers every week than all other media.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, streaming media, streaming audio, smart speakers, google home, amazon echo, siri, advertising on radio, alexa

Advertising In Charlotte: Drivers Turn Up The Radio

Jan 20, 2021 1:33:57 PM / by Larry Julius

Local radio came to Charlotte on March 18, 1922. That's when the Federal Radio Commission granted a license to the Southern Radio Corporation with the randomly assigned call sign, WBT.

From that day, many predicted radio's success would succumb to advances from new technologies. In 1927, the challenge came from talking movies. In the 1940s, the predators were 13-inch TV sets. In the 1970s, it was 8-track and cassette tapes. In the past 20 years, there was a multi-flank attack from iPods, Zunes, YouTube, Sirius, XM, Pandora, Spotify,

So far, all of these challengers have failed. Not even a pandemic has been able to remove radio as a vital force in the life of Charlotte consumers.

Every week, according to Nielsen, more adults tune-in to Charlotte radio than watch TV or cable. Use social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Read newspapers. Or, stream music from Pandora or Spotify.

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Topics best way to advertise, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, vehicle traffic, in-car audio, radio listening, point of purchase, mobility, advertise on Charlotte radio

Is Advertising On Twitter Right For Charlotte Small Business Owners?

Jan 12, 2021 8:09:54 AM / by Larry Julius

How important is Twitter to Charlotte area consumers? Yesterday, for instance, the social media platform was mentioned in at least ten articles published by the Charlotte Observer yesterday.  Almost every local TV newscast included references to the site as well.

Twitter's outsized presence in the news, however, is enormously disproportional to the importance of the micro-blogging app in the life of Charlotte's consumers.

According to Nielsen, only about 19% of adults in Charlotte use Twitter during the course of a month. This is minuscule compared to other social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook.

Twitter offers 20 different options that Charlotte small business owners can utilize to market their goods and services to local consumers.  The platform's minimal reach, however, can hamper the success of any advertising campaign.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, social media advertising, instagram, small business, small business owner, facebook, small business marketing, small business advertising, facebook advertising, twitter

Small Business Advice: 5 Facts About Advertising On Charlotte Radio

Dec 17, 2020 8:32:07 AM / by Larry Julius

Local radio came to Charlotte on March 18, 1922. That's when the Federal Radio Commission granted a license to the Southern Radio Corporation with the randomly assigned call sign, WBT.

From studios located in the Realty Building located at the corner of Trade and Tryon, WBT began broadcasting music from phonograph records for two hours each day. The station's early broadcasts were heard by about 22,000 people using hand-built radio receivers.

For almost 100 years, small business owners have depended on local radio stations to successfully market their goods and services through depressions, recessions, wars, and natural disasters. Even now, during a pandemic, advertising on Charlotte radio remains a dependable way to make cash registers ring.

Here are five facts every Charlotte Small business owner needs to know about local radio in 2020.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, time spent listening, online shopping, advertise on Charlotte radio

Online Advertising In Charlotte: How Much Do Local Businesses Spend?

Dec 14, 2020 3:46:10 PM / by Larry Julius

Over 95% of Charlotte adults have access to the internet, according to Nielsen. Seventy percent of these consumers spend more than five hours a week connected.

Nielsen reports that Charlotte consumers go online to stay connected to friends and family; research products and services; learn the latest news, and obtain directions to where they are going and know what the weather will be when they get there.  

Here are some of the many reasons why Charlotte internet users go online each month

  • Social Media: 77%
  • Weather: 57%
  • Online Banking: 54%
  • Maps/Directions: 47%
  • Product Reviews: 41%
  • Current Events: 35%
  • Restaurant Reviews: 30%
  • Sports Scores/News: 28%
  • Job Search: 19%
  • Real Estate: 16%

And, of course, there is shopping.  Over the past six months, according to Nielsen, 82% of Charlotte consumers shopped online for every imaginable product and service including, cars, golf clubs, office supplies, wedding rings, mattresses, tires, medicine, shoes, socks, and eyeglasses.

To reach local consumers while they are online, Charlotte businesses will spend $587 million for digital advertising in 2020, according to Borrell Associates.  Here is how the money is being spent:

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Topics radio advertising, social media advertising, small business, small business owner, online advertising, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, social media, e-commerce, wedding, CTV, email marketing, email advertising, online shopping

Advertising In Charlotte: Top 5 Articles From 2020

Dec 8, 2020 1:28:47 PM / by Larry Julius

As the pandemic rages on, advertising is no longer a luxury for the 92,000 small businesses in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area .  Advertising has become a tool for survival.
 
As cash becomes precious, though, Charlotte area small business owners and retailers need to ensure that every dollar spent  on advertising has a significant effect on sales.
 
To make the best advertising choices, thousands of local business owners have sought advice and direction from www.AdvertiseInCharlotte.om.  Here is a recap of the top 5 articles read on the site during 2020.
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Topics radio advertising, small business, small business owner, television advertising, newspaper advertising, newspaper readers, small business marketing, small business advertising, OTT, television, pay-tv, cable television, radio listening, CTV, svod, avod, cable tv, 2020

Who's Spending Now? Charlotte Small Business Owners Ask.

Dec 4, 2020 2:40:03 PM / by Larry Julius

There are 676,000 adults in the Charlotte area who have earned a four-year college or postgraduate degree, according to research from Nielsen. A study from the Federal Reserve indicates that these educated consumers have been least affected by the economic consequences of the pandemic.

"While the labor market disruptions have affected workers in a wide set of industries and occupations, those without a college degree have experienced the most severe impact," say Mary C. Daly, Shelby R. Buckman, and Lily M. Seitelman authors of The Unequal Impact of COVID-19 in the Economic Letter published by the Federal Reserve of San Francisco.

Although the unemployment rate increased among consumers of every education level in late March when the Governors of North Carolina and South Carolina lockdown their states to slow the spread of the Coronavirus, the smallest increase was among those with bachelor or postgraduate degrees, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Seven months later, job recovery among those with college degrees is closer to pre-pandemic levels than consumers with lower levels of educational attainment.

Many small business owners have seen the correlation between advertising and survival during the economic crisis inflicted by the pandemic.  With precious few dollars to invest, it is crucial that every advertisement reaches consumers who have disposable income to buy. Right now, the most likely spenders are customers with college degrees.

By key advertising metrics, the best way to reach consumers with higher education is on Charlotte radio.

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Topics best way to advertise, radio advertising, small business, small business owner, small business marketing, small business advertising, advertise on radio, radio commercials, radio listening, charlotte radio, advertising on radio, college graduates, education

Advertising In Charlotte: Still Time To Ring Up Holiday Sales

Dec 1, 2020 1:19:20 PM / by Larry Julius

There is cheerful news for small business owners from Davidson to Matthews and every city and town in between.

Based on the latest projections from the National Retail Federation, holiday sales are expected to grow 3.6%-5.2% over 2019.  This means despite the economic ravages of the pandemic, Charlotte area shoppers will be spending between $6.4 and $6.5 billion on gifts and other trappings of the season.

The NRF forecast is based on an economic model that takes into consideration a variety of indicators including employment, wages, consumer confidence, disposable income, consumer credit, previous retail sales and weather. NRF defines the holiday season as November 1 through December 31. Numbers forecast by NRF may differ from other organizations that define the holiday season as a longer period or include retail sectors not included by NRF, such as automobile dealers, gasoline stations and restaurants.

"Consumers have shown they are excited about the holidays and are willing to spend on gifts that lift the spirits of family and friends after such a challenging year," says NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay. "We expect a strong finish to the holiday season." 

“Given the pandemic, there is uncertainty about consumers’ willingness to spend, but with the economy improving most have the ability to spend,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “Consumers have experienced a difficult year but will likely spend more than anyone would have expected just a few months ago."

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Topics consumer spending, small business, small business owner, television advertising, roi, return on investment, small business marketing, small business advertising, retail spending, retail, television, retail sales, retail stores, retailer, cable television, holiday advertising, holiday shopping, christmas, advertising ROI, consumer confidence

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