Opinion: Loyalty is more than points programs

Building a perfect loyalty program requires a delicate balance between reward and customer effort — and online retailers are leading the way.

Microsoft's Retail Experience Center: It's all about connectedness

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Redmond giant's retail test lab focuses on connecting all the moving parts of a retail enterprise, right down to the customer level.

New research initiative to measure qualitative effectiveness of in-store marketing

7-Eleven, Ahold, Frito-Lay North America, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages, Walgreens are among the research participants.

What green can mean for a retailer's image

Properly leveraged, green initiatives can make customers feel better about shopping at certain stores.

Michaels, world's largest arts and crafts retailer, redesigns its in-store experience

Consumer insights key to creating prototype with smart space allocation to maximize brand and ROI.

Loyalty programs and brand loyalty

Branded goods, and stores themselves, need to find new ways to engage and connect with shoppers.

GlobalShop 2009: Optimism and strength

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Despite the economic chill in the air, attendees and exhibitors made last week's tradeshow a success in the eyes of its organizers.

Digital signage lessons from GlobalShop 2009

Best Buy's in-store video producer reflects on what he learned during Digital Signage Day at GlobalShop 2009.

The retail power of suggestion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A carefully worded farewell can often subliminally impact shoppers into coming back for more.

Zain launches 'store of the future' in Bahrain

Wireless service provider's new flagship store is an interactive retail experience.

Circuit City: What went wrong?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

As the once-great electronics retailer winds down, experts weigh in on what mistakes were made.

The psychology of color at retail

Cultural, demographic differences play crucial roles in color design for the retail environment.

Basket-at-once scanning technology exists, but retailers aren't biting

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

RFID-based scanners can massively speed up checkout and cut wait times, but supply chain challenges have prevented adoption.

Opinion: 12 ways to maximize the customer during a recession

The author of Retail Business Kit for Dummies weighs in with tips on how to get more out of each customer interaction and drive repeat business.

Tough times drive retailers back to basics

The economy is prompting a number of retailers to drop their experimentation with millennial marketing.

Queue management targets the last stage of the purchasing process

Discipline blends design, engineering and technology to maximize efficiency and reduce walk-aways.

Luxury brands respond to tough economic times

Given the worldwide economic decline, the once seemingly recession-proof luxury sector is under siege.

Digital Signage Expo Featured Exhibitors: The solutions providers

All-in-one digital signage providers and aggregators showed a distinct focus on the small-to-medium business.

Digital Signage Expo Featured Exhibitors: The software and content providers

As content was a focus of the pre-show day and expo, we highlight the featured content providers and the software that drives it.

Digital Signage Expo Featured Exhibitors: The hardware providers

DSE '09 in Vegas showed the industry some of the latest in hardware developments including 3D screens, video vending machines and huge displays.