PCI compliance dominates talk at NACStech

by David Drain

Data security is on the minds of retailers, and one of the themes of this year's show was "making scary go away."

Loyalty segmentation needs to extend into the store

When front-line employees are left out of the loyalty process, points programs miss the point.

Five underutilized features of the modern POS

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Today's point-of-sale systems are sophisticated business tools, but many retailers are still using them as glorified cash registers.

RetailWire Discussion: Most loyal customers aren't profitable

A recent Harvard Business Journal article suggests that few customers are profitable — and of the ones that are, most are not loyal.

Three specialty stores that stand out from the pack

When times are tight, experience counts more than ever. Here are three small retailers with singular in-store experiences.

Why Microsoft's Project Natal could revolutionize in-store media

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Unveiled at the E3 show this week, the user recognition and tracking device could have a major impact on how shoppers interact with displays.

Commentary: Online retail over-analyzed, 'stripped of all brand soul'

A brand consultant argues that too much emphasis on search engine optimization has diminished the online shopping experience.

Witron system aims to fully automate shelf replenishment

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The experimental SRS concept could eliminate empty shelves and aisles full of product pallets.

Five viral marketing mistakes to avoid

There's a lot of buzz surrounding viral marketing — but retailers need to make sure to avoid these common missteps.

Netflix takes service outage, turns it into a customer service opportunity

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Quick response and a proactive attitude turn what could have been a negative into a win for the brand.

The financial discipline of customer experience

For the retail CFO, customer experience needs to shift from a "nice to have" to a "must have."

Secrets of high-concept retailers

Retailers such as American Girl that forge their own path thrive, despite tough times.

KIOSKCOM: Economy a theme, but not an obstacle

Organizers stepped up their promotional efforts in the weeks leading up to the show by offering free full-conference passes and utilizing social media…

Solving the player-to-screen puzzle

How to make the right networking and connectivity choices when planning retail digital signage.

Opinion: Retailers giving lip service to customer service

Noted retail trainer and author discusses how the concept of customer service has been watered down by many retailers.

Satisfying the customer whose credit has been denied

The retail credit scene is tough, but retailers don't have to bear the brunt of rejection.

Is price the only 'P' that matters?

Convenience-based value propositions are losing their appeal as people are repricing their free time.

GS1 DataBar set to improve the grocery checkout experience

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The new barcode standard packs more info into a smaller space, creating opportunities for retailers and saving time for shoppers.

Finding the financial value of the customer

When making customer service decisions, consider the lifetime revenue each customer provides — and their potential for sending referrals.

Live chat drives sales, satisfaction — but only when executed honestly

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Web retailers that offer live text-chat assistance can increase conversion and generate word-of-mouth, but poor or dishonest execution can spell disaster.