2012: A Presidential Election Year

Here's a friendly reminder from one (me) who analyzes customer files with twenty years of purchase history.

• Sales growth in Presidential Election years is unstable, and, on average, tends to under-perform non-election years, especially in the months around the election.

Go look at your own historical data ... how did customers perform vs. your lofty plans?


Now toss in the decimation of the EU, high unemployment, tea party and #ows movements, a chronic low-growth environment, crippling local, state, and federal debt.  


You have the recipe for mega-instability in 2012, from an e-commerce standpoint.


Be wise.  Be conservative in your planning for 2012.  Be ready to react to what may well be a bumpy ride next summer/fall.