According to the ninth annual Retail Horizons, Benchmarks for 2010 from the National Retail Federation and KPMG LLP, 41% of retailers intend to increase domestic store expansions in 2011, up from 25% in 2010.  Additionally, 25% will expand overseas, up from 21% a year ago.


Signaling an overall consensus that the worst is behind them, 58% of the 318 retail executives surveyed report that cost reduction/cost containment will remain a companywide strategic initiative, down from 81% in 2010.


“After several years of belt tightening, retailers are also ready to begin experimenting again with new brick and mortar concepts, hoping to appeal to shoppers interested in buying discretionary items once again,” said Mark Larson, partner in charge of KPMG’s retail group. “They will, however, move ahead with cost discipline in mind.”
Among other findings:


-69% identify mobile e-commerce or m-commerce as a strategic initiative, up considerably from 28% a year ago.


-74% of retailers in 2011 will increase their consumer insight and data gathering initiatives, up from 65% in 2010.


-75% said customer service would be a top priority in 2011, up from 56%.


-79% of retailers report using Twitter, up from 61% in 2009. An additional 18% plan on using the social networking site for their e-commerce program during the next 18 months.


In reviewing customer insight initiatives, 78% of the execs ranked customer loyalty programs first, up from 65% a year ago.


-80% of retailers surveyed said leadership development will be a top priority in 2011, up from 69% in 2010.


Among supply chain initiatives, greater focus will be made for optimizing the distribution network, increasing from 38% in 2010 to 52% in 2011, and for cross-docking, up from 17% to 24%.