Current News
May, 2012 – This article from JustLuxe discusses the results of the Spring 2012 American Affluence Research Center survey of the wealthiest 10% of all U.S. households - view article
March, 2012 – This article from the South Florida Sun Sentinel discusses the make up of the top 1% income households in South Florida – view article
February, 2012 – This article I wrote for Luxury Daily discusses the validity and reliability of research among “luxury” and “affluent” consumers – view article
February, 2012 – This article from JustLuxe.com discusses the complicated nature of affluence research and what to be careful of when using the results – view article
February, 2012 – This article from Inman News discusses an upscale, gated and guarded subdivision developed by Disney – view article
February, 2012 – This article discusses the dirty little secrets of online panel research – view article
January, 2012 – This article from Luxury Daily discusses seven facts that should serve as signs of caution before basing marketing plans on trend forecasts – view article
November, 2011 – This article from The Wealth Report of The Wall Street Journal discusses expectations that the richest 1% of Americans will spend about 2.3% more than they did last year on their holiday shopping – view article
November, 2011 – This Consumer Nation article on CNBC.com discusses the holiday spending projections for the affluent and their current mood concerning the economic situation – view article
November, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the rise in luxury men’s apparel – view article
November, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the affluent community’s attraction to the Breitling American Tribute Watch promotion to honor U.S. troops – view article
November, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the growth in the men’s segment of luxury apparel – view article
November, 2011 – This Travel Weekly article features AARC research about how the affluent plan to increase their cruising plans for 2012 – view article
November, 2011 – This Sea Trade Insider article features AARC research about how the affluent have increased their cruising plans for 2012 – view article
October, 2011 – This Wall Street Journal article features AARC research about how affluent people spend on holiday gifts – view article
October, 2011 – This Diamond News Broadcast article features AARC research about the affluents’ view on current business conditions and their plans for holiday gift spending this year – view article
October, 2011 – This Justluxe.com article features information about the economic mood/confidence of the affluent – view article
October, 2011 – This article from The Fiscal Times features data about the growth for the wider luxury industry – view article
October, 2011 – This 4Hoteliers article features information about the use of direct mail marketing campaigns with the affluent - view article
October, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the importance of product catalogs in the luxury world - view article
October, 2011 – This Justluxe.com article features AARC research about affluent people’s assessment of current business conditions declined 36 points from the Spring 2011 survey to the Fall 2011 survey - view article
October, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features AARC research on the increase in 2011 holiday spending plans of the affluent – view article
September, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features AARC research on the effectiveness of email sales campaigns with an affluent audience – view article
September, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features AARC research on how the tactile quality of a catalogue can contribute to an image of luxury – view article
September, 2011 – This article from The Centurion (E-Newsletter & Info Hub for Prestige Jewelers) features AARC research about the differences between the affluent market and the luxury market—and who jewelers actually are serving – view article
August, 2011 – This Wall Street Journal article features AARC research about aspirational consumers- view article
August, 2011 – This Daily Finance article features data about spending levels in luxury stores- view article
August, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features information about the outlook for luxury consumption – view article
July, 2011 – This article features AARC research about changing housing demographics for Baby Boomer retirees – view article
July, 2011 – This article features research about the use of new technology for marketing to the affluent - view article
July, 2011 – This video contains highlights of Ron Kurtz’s February 2010 presentation to the Palm Beach Luxury Marketing Council – view video
July, 2011 – This article features highlights of our AARC Spring 2011 research printed in Bowden’s Market Barometer – view article
June, 2011 – This video features Dr. Richard Ragatz’s review of AARC research that was presented at the Global Networking Expo 2011 for international developers of time share andshared ownership vacation plans- view video
June, 2011 – This article from Fox Business includes AARC research on the latest trends in affluent travel- view article
June, 2011 – This video features Ron Kurtz at the Global Networking Expo 2011 for international developers of time share andshared ownership vacation plans- view video
June, 2011 – This article features AARC research that was featured at the Global Networking Expo 2011 for the shared ownership industry- view article
June, 2011 – This article highlights AARC research about familiarity and interest in shared vacation property- view article
June, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features AARC research on how the decline in consumer confidence of the general public is not particularly relevant to the luxury industry – view article
May, 2011 – Ron Kurtz quoted in Mobile Commerce Daily about smartphone and tablet use among affluent Americans- view article
May, 2011 – Ron Kurtz quoted in the New York Post about the increase in the number of millionaires in the U.S.- view article
May, 2011 – AARC Spring 2011 survey results referenced in JustLuxe Affluent Lifestyle Guide- view article
May, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the affluent clicking through to retailers’ websites from Twitter and Facebook – view article
May, 2011 – AARC Spring 2011 survey results referenced in WSJ article about post-recession spending amongst wealthiest Americans- view article
May, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses some retailers eliminating shipping fees to be responsive to their customers – view article
May, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses the affluent market’s use of smartphones and tablets – view article
May, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses experts’ predictions of a possible 8 percent growth on luxury goods spending in 2011 – view article
May, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses AARC research about affluent customers’ use of mobile devices to make purchases – view article
April, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses Audi’s strategy is to gain exposure and to develop a good feeling among the affluent audience – view article
April, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article features AARC research about affluent people’s use of social media – view article
April, 2011 – This Luxury Daily article discusses how direct mail can incorporate various types of media to communicate a strong message – view article
March, 2011 - Ron Kurtz quoted in Cruise Industry News article about luxury in the cruise industry- view article
February 25, 2011 - Ron Kurtz announced as keynote speaker for upcoming Timeshare and Fractional Networking Expo- view article
December 7, 2010 – AARC quoted in WSJ.com about the affluent spending plans- view article
December 7, 2010 – AARC quoted in AtlantaJournalConstitution.com about the affluent outlook for the economy- view article
November 29, 2010 – AARC releases a press report about 2010 holiday spending for the affluent market - view press release
November 4, 2010 – AARC quoted in brandweek.com about the return of the aspirational consumer- view article
October 11, 2010 – AARC quoted in kitchenbathdesign.com blog on when affluent spending will return to pre-recession levels- view article
October 7, 2010 – AARC quoted in the WSJ in an article on Wealthy Family 2010 Holiday Spending Plans – view article
August 30, 2010 – AARC quoted in the WSJ in an article on the Bush Tax Cuts – view article
April 22, 2010 – AARC releases a press report about “Frugal Fatigue” – view press release