File this under "how do they do that?" The Shout Color Catcher. It's a patch of cloth you put in with your laundry and if you accidentally mix that brand new bright red t-shirt with your white …

Before the news about Bin Laden, people were talking a lot about the effects from the tragic events in Japan. Of course there is a human side which we are all very concerned about, as well as a …

A strange transformation takes place when a person takes on a sales role. It doesn't matter whether it's a "sales professional," a solo entrepreneur, a business owner or CEO of a major corporation …

Just how important is mobile? According to Julie Ask, a vice president and principal analyst at Forrester Research, mobile will be transformational. Ask, speaking at the Mobile Marketing Strategies …

For all of those consumers who would never go to Walmart, the hyperchain has found a way to come to you.The world's largest retailer is testing a home-delivery concept, called Walmart To Go, in San …

In 1999, a teenager and a relatively simple piece of technology rocked the music industry. The teen was Shawn Fanning, the technology was P2P file sharing, the phenomenon was Napster and it changed …

To find retail's sweet spot, a purchase, put the customer ahead of technology. For multiple purchases, make customers influencers for your business. That's the advice Jeremiah Owyang, an industry …

As retailers, we're always striving to do better. We have previously suggested that benchmarking can help give retailers the unique perspective they need to improve their overall performance. But the …

Here are four initiatives to focus on right now for a positive impact on your long-term business results. I've written about these before, but I also keep talking with clients and readers who aren't …

My friend Stan Phelps turned me onto this little marketing innovation from Pepsi. It's actually pretty cool -- they've reinvented the vending machine and linked it to social media. Stan has got a …

The best leaders in my life asked more questions than they gave answers. Too often we jump to prescribing. We feel we know what customers want. We believe we know the answers. But the real difference …

It's fascinating how predictable pricing is, especially during changing economic times. During economic downturns the vast majority of companies discount heavily in failed attempts to salvage market …

No matter what state the economy is in, no matter how frugal consumers are, customer-centric retailers are building business. Here's one way for you to be one of them. You've heard of social media …

A while ago a colleague and I worked together on what we both believed was a great opportunity. After a lot of hard work, especially on my colleague's part, the project turned out to be a bust …

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we can't help but think about all the wonderful moms out there who are customers in our favorite retail stores. For many retailers, women &mdash …

Wal-Mart recently announced its purchase of social media firm Kosmix to help it better manage and capitalize on its social and mobile marketing efforts. What is clear from the announcement is that …

General Motors, recognizing that many potential buyers' credit is less than stellar these days and that funding sources aren't readily available, has entered the subprime auto loan business. The goal …

Procter & Gamble has figured out one sweet way to bottle up its leading line of shampoos – and it might just help keep prices down. The consumer products maker is now packaging its Pantene …

If you've been looking for an easy and inexpensive way to bring in more business, check this out. Taking advantage of people's propensity to sit — at their desks, on their couches, and behind …

The nightmare of finding people to work on the selling floor continues. It seems like it's been a problem forever. But the last 25 to 30 years it's been getting worse. Today it's a mind blower. I was …