While economic instability poised a threat to retailers hoping to boost sales during Valentine's Day 2012, a recent survey from Forbes reveals that customer sentiment, and spending, is higher than ever. In fact, results indicate that overall Valentine's Day spending will reach nearly $200 a person this year, an 8% boost over 2011. This infographic delves deeper into consumers' specific spending plans for this Valentine's Day, as well as detailed insight into whether shoppers spend more money on flowers, jewelry, candy or cards.

 
As retailers continue to search for new ways to engage with consumers, many have turned to social networking sites as their source of engagement. The latest social buzz, Pinterest, a virtual bulletin board that allows users to share interesting images and links, has driven more traffic to its web site than Google+. This infographic highlights the correlation between Pinterest and traffic referrals to retail web sites, and tips for using the web site.

As the powers of smartphones and the web continue to develop, shoppers will grow more savvy in comparing prices and seeking the best deals. While retailers point to Black Friday and Cyber Monday as key discounting days, the rise of price comparison apps is bringing forth a new era of discounting strategies. Now, retailers must adapt to make every day Black Friday.

Today's consumers expect to have access to information in real time at their fingertips. With the increase in mobile Internet use, analysts predict that by 2014, mobile Internet will take over desktop Internet. Currently, U.S. consumers spend an average of 2.7 hours per day socializing on their mobile devices, with most (91%) utilizing mobile Internet, compared to 79% who use desktops. This infographic highlights the current mobile marketing trends and how U.S. consumers are reacting to the mobile retail market.

To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, retailers must go above and beyond to please shoppers. In a recent survey, 59% of customers indicated that they have stopped doing business with a company due to poor service. This infographic reveals the consequences of a poor customer service strategy, as well as six best practices to boost revenue, brand trust and customer loyalty.

Group buying may have reached number one this year due to both the new social web and a down economy, but mobile commerce is said to become the norm. Forrester Research recently predicted mobile commerce will become a $31 billion industry by 2016 and comprise approximately 10% of all e-Commerce.