The economic downturn spares no one, and this is especially true for the struggling Historic Ellicott City in MD. With consumers focusing only on the necessities, the historic city feels the pinch.

General Growth Properties, a Chicago based company plans to redevelop Howard County’s Columbia Town Center and bring the area into the 21st century. The 30 years plan will include residential, retail, hotels and office spaces.

High concept retailers such as American Girl continue to thrive due to the ways they cater to their customers. They focus on delivering exceptional services beyond what is expected, and that is what keeps them successful.

You are cordially invited to attend Music from the Heart: A Father’s Day Classic Event at Michos on Saturday, June 20, 2009 from 4-8 pm.

With the uncertainty of the economy, consumers continue to spend less on items not needed and focus only on necessities. Consumer Spending in down overall as the economy slowly continues to rebuild itself.

With the real estate market in a slump and the collapse of the nation’s second largest electronic retailer, Circuit City. A lost of other retails chains are looking to ways for capital gain.

Amazon.com, the online giant moves towards retail venues. On Tuesday a patent was granted for the new mini-store design.

Wal-Mart continues to thrive during the recession due to selling low-price items and focusing their marketing on the essentials to consumers. While competitor Target struggles to keep up and turns to groceries for growth.

Best Buy is seeking new ways to market to women shoppers in their stores, as well as getting more women employees. To be specific, in their boardroom.

Filene’s Basement has agreed to sell most of its stores to the highest bidder after filling for bankruptcy protection earlier this month. This opens the doors and allows other retailers to buy some of its stores and this seems to have created some competition in acquiring the century-old retailer.

One of the common mistakes companies make in their marketing is not knowing the audience they are trying to reach. Retailers who in various ways study their audience tend to have higher success rates in conveying their messages.

As consumers change the ways they shop, stores are also changing in order to adapt to their customers needs. Retailers are rethinking how to better market to their consumers, from offering bargains on the internet to redesigning their products.

According to a survey done by the National Retail Federation, graduation gift giving varies in the items given and by price according to age and gender. They predict that young boomers and men are likely to spend more money on gift items.

After their annual meeting last week, Macy’s is thinking of pursuing the outlet stores approach. This will allow each store to have more variety and gives local stores better inventory management.

Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting for 5 Wacky Women in Cockeysville, MD.

Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting for 5 Wacky Women in Cockeysville, MD.

Artscape is the country’s leading public arts festival and takes place in Baltimore, MD. Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting design for The Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts.

Baltimore’s Fashion Week is a dynamic event that brings a lot of different groups together, from models to photographer, from artists and designers alike. Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting for Baltimore Fashion Week.

Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting for Cups of Cakes.

Here is a project sample created by Epps Consulting for Daniston in Towson.