Consumer Nation
- Six Pack: Beer Buzz of the Week
- Time for Flash Sales to Adapt or Die
- What Flash Sites Are Suggesting About Consumers
- Building a Beer Brand, One 'Like' at a Time
- The Six Pack: Beer Buzz of the Week
- Wal-Mart's Strong Earnings Overshadow Bribery Allegations
- Lesson for JCPenney: Consumers Are Addicted to Deals
- Fuel Prices Trump Unemployment as Risk to Retailers: Study
- The Hot Beauty Product You Never Heard Of
- The Six Pack: Beer Buzz of the Week
RSS FEED
MOST SHARED
- Greece Pours $22.6 Billion Into Four Biggest Banks
- Greece to Leave Euro Zone on June 18: Wealth Manager
- Europe Has Wall Street's Bull on a Short Leash
- Spain's Borrowing Costs Near Danger Level: Bailout Next?
- European Firms Plan for Greek Unrest and Euro Exit
- Collectors Wary Of Investing In Josh Hamilton
- The Shortage of Women Billionaires
- 11 Ways to Finance a Start Up
- A New Look at the ‘New Poor’
- Six Pack: Beer Buzz of the Week
- Greek Exit Could Trigger 50% Fall in Euro Stocks: Analyst
- Under Pressure, FHA Skews to Wealthier Home Buyers
- Big Stock Upside for Hudson City Deal: Analyst
- 5 High-Yield Stocks Ready to Boost Dividends
- Yoshikami: Four Things You Need to Know About Gold Now
- Steinbock: The Euro Zone Endgame Begins
- Option Bulls Take Another Shot on Idenix
- Spain's Debt Costs Near Danger Level: Is Bailout Next?
- US Markets Will Be Watching Europe—And Jobs Report
- European Companies Plan for Greek Unrest and Euro Exit
- Japan's Marubeni Nears $5 Billion-Plus Gavilon Deal
- Public Pensions Faulted for Bets on Rosy Returns
- Greece to Leave Euro Zone on June 18: Wealth Manager
- Italy 2-Year Borrowing Costs at Peak Since December
- Euro Bond Wins Supporters, but Details Remain Vague
- German, UK Bond Yields Will Go Even Lower
Teenage Advice for the Unhip Investor
Text Size 
CNBC Associate Web Producer
The average investor is behind the curve when it comes to the fickle world of teenage retail and should listen to the shoppers of the future, according to Kelly Jane Robertson, the 16-year-old intern at The Investors Chronicle.
 |
Robertson, the youngest contributor in the Chronicle's 150-year history, said most people that read the publication are "in their 50s and don't really know much about shopping."
One of the most striking findings from the teenage commentator is that the Internet is not king. Even though teens will often browse online to check out what certain shops have to offer, that may not be where the deal is done.
"People prefer going to stores rather than shopping on the Internet," Robertson said, citing her own survey. "I like browsing Web sites first and then going into the store to buy them."
Robertson pointed out that in the UK, less than 10 percent of all retail sales are made online. From her own survey, 87 percent of teenagers in London said they preferred going to shops.
Keeping up with the latest trends is key to retailers' success in the teenage market, she told CNBC. UK chains like Topshop and New Look get it right by having a quick stock turnover and capturing the latest trends, she said.
Brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch [ANF
Loading...
()
] and Hollister may have limited appeal because they don't move as fast, Robertson said.
(Watch the full interview with Kelly Jane Robertson above.)
"Shopping has changed from being a search for necessities to a world of 'disposable fashion' and a desire to get the latest trends, as soon as possible," Robertson wrote in the Chronicle.
"Not only do they need to keep up with the trends and what everyone else is wearing, but they need to have their own quirky and fresh style," she added.
More from Consumer Nation:
- Sexy Legs—A Recession-Proof Investment
- Target Takes Coupons Mobile With 2-D Technology
- Panera Is First National Chain to Post Calorie Counts
- For One Eatery, Fewer Calories Equals a Bigger Profit
- Pepsi CEO: Old Soft Drink Model Is a 'Relic of the Past'
Questions? Comments? Email us at
Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
