Mobile Retail Monday: The Tour Wrist app

Our expert says the new panoramic image tool is a killer app for retailers.

NFC in the UK

Orange and Barclaycard introduce U.K.'s first contactless payment product

Are Apple stores preparing for NFC?

by James Wester — Editor 1, Mobile Payments Today

UPDATED: Rumors are swirling that Apple is bringing NFC to its stores' POS systems.

The CXO: Why the time is now for customer experience officers

Retailers are hiring c-level executives whose sole focus is the customer experience.

Report: Consumers influenced by a retailer's physical appearance

More than two-thirds of consumers say they have avoided a store based on its external appearance.

Study says $16 billion worth of loyalty program rewards go unredeemed each year

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Americans accumulate approximately $48 billion in rewards points and air travel miles annually.

Mobile Monday: Aisle 411

The app shares store-level maps and product positions with customers via their smartphones.

Top 100: 46. American Girl

Mattel's American Girl line of dolls, accessories, books and (more recently) movies, has dominated the big and expensive ($95) doll market for 24 years.

Top 100: 47. Best Buy

In the sixteen months since taking the wheel as Best Buy CEO in the midst of a global economic crisis, Brian Dunn has kept the world's largest consumer…

Opinion: Retailers need to wake up to 'tender steering'

Retailer associations have been virtually silent on the topic, and there are no reports of major retailers pushing this service.

Three ways packaging can impact, improve the retail experience

Brands are increasing their focus on more distinctive packaging that attracts a loyal customer base.

Red Chariot retail immersion center to open in June

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Services are aimed at reinventing the shopping experience post-recession.

Book excerpt: "The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of the Supermarket Chains"

Read an excerpt from Chapter 9 of this new book, "The Internet and Other New Ways of Shopping."

Top 100: 48. Cafes and other amenities

In-store cafés have become an integral part of bookstores, offering shoppers an oasis in which to linger over reading material. Last year, upscale chain…

Survey: Consumers will pay a premium for good service

U.S. consumers also tell twice as many people about bad service compared to good service.

Top 100: 49. Interactive storefront windows

More companies are using channels such as augmented reality (see No. 77) to create enhanced interactive storefront displays designed to allure and captivate…

Supermarket chain Big Y offers rewards card - with a fee

While some consumers expressed interest in the new plan, others were unenthusiastic.

HP expands retail portfolio with kiosk, POS solutions

HP's technology can be used in a variety of settings, including retail, hospitality and healthcare.

Is your store ready for tablets? Three steps to help make the decision

Develop a meaningful application strategy before you even look at hardware and software.

EyeTrackShop uses webcams for online eye tracking

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

The online eye tracking tool delivers results at one-tenth of traditional costs.