Prentice Capital’s Michael Zimmerman is one voice amongst several research firms anticipating double-digit growth for e-retail efforts. Deloitte, for example, is projecting a 12.5- to 13-percent increase for non-store sales in the United States during the coming holiday period.

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/28/2013 -- E-retail sales could soar by as much as 15 percent during the coming holiday season, with total holiday internet sales exceeding $82 billion. The sales projections were compiled based on estimates of disposable consumer incomes, monthly increases in retail sales and overall consumer confidence heading into this years holiday shopping season.

Retail sales in the US are expected to increase over 2012?s numbers by 6.9 percent, with total retail — counting Web, in-store and other purchasing methods — hitting $602 billion in November and December.

Prentice Capital's Michael Zimmerman (News) is one voice amongst several research firms anticipating double-digit growth for e-retail efforts. Deloitte, for example, is projecting a 12.5- to 13-percent increase for non-store sales in the United States.

Analysts caution that some economic factors, such as the uncertain duration of the current government shutdown, could cause fluctuations in this growth. A long-running shutdown could shake consumer confidence and influence shoppers to spend less over the holidays, causing the e-retail market to fall short of projections. Strong online sales figures in September despite falling consumer confidence prove that low confidence does not always equate to weaker consumer spending however.

Michael Zimmerman (Forbes) of Prentice Capital Management believes online shopping growth will quicken as consumers turn to their mobile devices seeking ways to preserve their lifestyle choices at lower prices.

Zimmerman's pattern of investing as demonstrated through Prentice Capital Management's (CNN) SEC disclosures have shown the Zimmerman hedge fund supports this "click and mortar" e-retailing ideal, favoring stocks with powerful brands combining well conceived mobile and online commerce strategies. Zimmerman has just remarked that US consumer retail growth will likely continue to do well within the year ahead.

"Given the evidence, we seem to be entering the start of a persistent mobile age," Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at NYU Stern and creator of L2, commented in a statement. "Brands ignore this shift at their own peril."

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Michael Zimmerman of Prentice Capital Management believes online shopping growth will quicken as consumers turn to their mobile devices seeking ways to preserve their lifestyle choices at lower prices. Strong online sales figures prove that low consumer confidence does not always equate to weaker consumer spending.

New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 10/11/2013 -- Traditional stores can take on e-commerce and keep their role by reinventing themselves faster to blend instore shopping with on-line, top retailers stated on Tuesday. Michael Zimmerman (Online PR News) of Prentice Capital Management (Street Insider) believes online shopping growth will quicken as consumers turn to their mobile devices seeking ways to preserve their lifestyle choices at lower prices. Strong online sales figures prove that low consumer confidence does not always equate to weaker consumer spending.

We can all imagine that Amazon leads the way in online shopping, but you might be surprised to discover that Amazon reported total online sales volume larger than their next 12 competitors – combined! This is even more astonishing when you consider that Amazon's competitors include big brands like Walmart and Staples.

Despite the challenge from Amazon, two thirds of retailers say stores remain the most important channel for shoppers and one in three plan to expand their store footprint, according to a survey by the Australian Centre of Retail Studies released at a convention in Paris.

Mark Lewis, head of John Lewis Online states "Customers want to combine pure online with visiting stores. Stores have a big role to play,". Lewis stated that more than two-thirds of sales involved stores and online, such as collecting Internet orders in-store, researching online or scanning items with smart phones to read reviews.

"I am totally convinced that click and mortar is the future," said Georges Plassat, the head of world number two retailer Carrefour, referring to the blend of on-line sales and shopping instore.

Head of French e-commerce business Vente-privee.com, JacquesAntoine Granjon states that once pure on-line players are needing to learn from conventional retailers. "It is the end of pure players, they are finished," he said. "The future is multi-channel and cross-channel. E-commerce is just a new distribution channel."

Zimmerman's pattern of investing as demonstrated through Prentice Capital Management's SEC disclosures have shown the Zimmerman hedge fund supports this "click and mortar" ideal, favoring stocks with powerful brands combining well conceived mobile and online commerce strategies. Zimmerman has just remarked that US consumer retail growth will likely continue to do well within the year ahead.

As consumers evolve companies must keep up,, engaging their customers with innovative new approaches methods. An estimated 33% of Smartphone users check for product reviews, coupons and discounts prior to making a purchase, often while instore - a trend fuelled by Social media. Intelligent use of Social networks and Smartphone data allows forward thinking companies to analyze customer behavior and quickly address needs and concerns, adapting as necessary.

2013-14 could become a breakthrough period for mobile shopping online, especially if strong consumer uptake of smartphone and tablet devices continues at the current pace.

"Given the evidence, we seem to be entering the start of a persistent mobile age," Scott Galloway, a professor of marketing at NYU Stern and creator of L2, commented in a statement. "Brands ignore this shift at their own peril."

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New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/23/2013 -- The conference board's sentiment index climbed to 68.1 for April, surpassing the highest Bloomberg economist survey estimations. House values increased 9.3% in February from the identical time frame a year ago - the largest advance since 2006, further buttressing the economic climate notwithstanding increased taxes and weakened employment very likely making many consumers a bit more wary of spending.

U.S. stock futures were unchanged during the early hours prior to the reports, following the Standard & Poor's 500 Index advanced to a record high, as market players considered corporate income and awaited the key research.

Michael Zimmerman, CEO of Prentice Capital Management, LP, feels today's shoppers are stretched thin, having ridden the peak of home refinance plus housing benefits during the last 12-24 months, these are typically taking a harsh view of government economic policy and feeling the crunch of increased costs, taxation and lowered confidence in the job marketplace.

Jacques Porta, who helps manage approximately $776 million at Ofi Gestion Privee in Paris stated "The economic data we've seen recently has not been consistently good enough to buy and not weak enough to sell."

Regardless of this cautious perspective, Zimmerman has been enlarging his equity holdings in retailers Coldwater Creek, Pacific Sunwear of California, dELiA*s and Gaiam, according to Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Zimmerman believes retailers with effective brands who also combine mcommerce into their internet strategy produce the most robust opportunity for growth by targeting careful consumers looking for ways to maintain lifestyle choices at lower cost.

Zimmerman's view is that internet shopping will consistently take share, the emergence of tablets and much bigger smartphone as the most current frontier of business is quickening the online vs. bricks and mortar struggle, and introducing an opptotunity for shareholders with brands which are profiting from these kinds of shifts.

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New York, NY -- (ReleaseWire) -- 05/02/2013 -- Michael Zimmerman and Prentice Capital Management LP have disclosed taking a position of 5,173,656 shares or 7.61% ownership of Pacific Sunwear of California Inc (PSUN).

Pacific Sunwear, also known as PacSun, is a U.S. based retail clothing brand rooted in the youth oriented culture and lifestyle of California. The company sells speciality good rooted in the action sports, fashion and music influences of the California - lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories designed for teens and young adults. As of February 2, 2013, PacSun operates 644 stores in 50 states and Puerto Rico.

Zimmerman has recently commented on his views that US consumer retail growth will likely continue to perform well in the year ahead. His pattern of investing as revealed through SEC disclosures has shown he favors stocks with strong brands and well conceived mobile and online commerce strategies. Zimmerman believes online shopping growth will accelerate as pinched consumers turn to their mobile devices seeking ways to maintain lifestyle choices at lower cost.

About Michael Zimmerman
Graduating as an Economist from Harvard University in 1992, Mr. Zimmerman, 42, founded Prentice Capital Management, LP, a New York-based private investment firm, in May 2005. Mr. Zimmerman serves as a director of Kid Brands, Inc., and dELia's, Inc. and previously, he served as a director of The Wet Seal, Inc. He specializes in consumer and retail investments.

The Schedule 13D notice to the SEC regarding the purchase was filed on June 14, 2012 and can be viewed online here:

http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/874841/000090571812000178/pacificsunwear13gjun12.htm

To learn more about Michael Zimmerman and Prentice, please visit:

http://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-zimmerman/
http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/people/person.asp?personId=26286193

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm