Retailers can expect to see greater traffic using their retail point of sale software, as consumers are predicted to be out in greater numbers this spring.

According to the Global Retail Manufacturers and Importers Survey, 43.2 percent of survey respondents said that the spring 2012 shopping season will surpass last year's, and another 40 percent believe that the summer 2012 season will perform better year-over-year.

Additionally, 40 percent of respondents said that retailers ordered more merchandise than last year, with 47 percent reporting that stores' orders increased by 3 to 5 percent.

"These numbers are very encouraging for the overall state of the consumer-driven economy," said Andrew Tananbaum, executive chairman of CBC. "This is the first time in nearly three years that the importers we work with are manufacturing more than they did last year and are planning on having to restock shelves."

The figures are only one of many recent indicators that the U.S. economic recovery is gaining steam. Last month, more than 225,000 jobs were added to the economy.

With a projected surge of investment, UK retailers may need to prepare with updated retail software such as point-of-sale systems.

According to a recent report from corporate adviser Clearwater Corporate Finance, UK retail is predicted to see a large increase in foreign investment, following a series of acquisitions last year, Retail Week reports.

The report, called "The Spend," noted that overseas investment has been increasing since 2009. Last year, overseas investors accounted for 42 percent of mid-market deals, compared to 2009, when they constituted 18 percent of the total deals.

"Both UK and overseas [corporations] are acquiring for a number of reasons, including to establish a market presence, grow market share, acquire particular capabilities or access brands that have the capability to be grown globally," said Gareth Iley, partner at Clearwater's consumer sector team, according to Retail Week.

Currently, luxury retailers are taking advantage of the market, snapping up spaces in London's prime shopping districts.

Today's companies conduct retail merchandising in a myriad of locations. One of the most popular outlet spaces is the airport.

Airports are increasingly ditching souvenir stands for local businesses and high-end designers and chains, making it imperative for retailers who operate within them to properly target their customers and keep abreast of demographics trends.

In fact, according to an article in the Los Angeles Times, retail spaces are increasingly being devoted to formerly overlooked shoppers – women, children, the tech-savvy and many others. However, airport staples such as business shoppers and the affluent are not being overlooked.

"For retailers, airports offer 'a captive audience in today's post-9/11 world,' said Gerry Cecci, vice president of airport management at mall operator Westfield, is quoted by the LA Times. The source adds that after clearing security, passengers' wait time may extend past an hour.

Retailers can keep stock of their customers in a number of ways, including working with professional demographic analytics firms and soliciting advice via Facebook or email surveys.

Warm weather, improved consumer confidence and the Valentine's Day holiday combined to form a perfect storm for apparel retailers, many of which topped Wall Street estimates for the month of February, Retailing Today reports.

The Thomson Reuters Same Store Sales Index – which analyzes 21 different companies – is expected to hit 4.8 percent for February when the report is released. This would beat last year's index reading by 0.8 percent. The big winners include Limited Brands, Gap and Zumiez, all of which exceeded or met the 4 percent average.

On the other end of the spectrum, "Wet Seal same-store sales fell 5.8 percent, but still beat Wall Street expectations of a 9 percent decline," the news source added.

Going into 2012, retailers expected big apparel sales, although the primary buyer isn't the traditional target audience of many of these companies. Men are expected to drive retail apparel this year, a recent IBM report found.

"The forecast of men's apparel sales reflects a growing trend: men are definitely developing a taste for fashion – especially in business attire," Jill Puleri, global retail leader for IBM Global Business Services, explains.

Retailers are increasingly looking to marketing options to set them apart from their competitors. However, a recent report suggests that companies may want to harness a more traditional strategy to boost their store operations.

Consumers are increasingly augmenting their shopping and purchasing experiences with coupons and special offers, according to the 2012 NCH Coupon Facts report. The research found that approximately $470 billion of coupon value for consumer package goods was offered to U.S. consumers in 2011, MediaPost reports.

Of the amounts offered, $4.6 billion in savings was realized by consumers, amounting to a 12.2 percent increase over 2010 and a 58.6 percent jump over 2006. Consumers used 3.5 billion coupons, an increase of 6.1 percent from 2010.

Additionally, retailers embraced new delivery modes for coupons last year.

"Digital coupons, as the newest media choice for marketers to reach consumers, grew with 11 percent more print at home and paperless offers distributed and tracked on NCH's database; yet, the total quantity of coupons in these growing formats doesn't yet exceed 1 percent of all coupons distributed in the U.S," MediaPost explains.

Retail POS technology may see increased use over the next few weeks, as experts predict an increase in sales for Valentine's Day.

Research from IBISWorld predicts total sales for the romantic holiday to rise by 0.5 percent over 2011 figures this year, with a return to dining and getaway purchases as well as jewelry, flowers and candy.

The study notes that jewelry will see another year of solid growth. Sales are expected to rise by 5.2 percent to total $1.6 billion, following last year's large 9 percent growth. Additionally, candy sales will increase by 3.6 percent coming to $2.7 billion for the holiday.

Restaurants are poised to be the big winners this Valentine's Day, though. "Restaurants are likely to see the biggest boost this year with sales slated to increase by 6.1 percent to an estimated $9.5 billion," the study found. "Consumers are anticipated to return to dining out, which will be led by restaurants' initiatives (including special courses for the holiday and prix fixe arrangements)."