Eight characteristics of successful retail concepts

What do Apple, Zappo's, REI, IKEA, Walmart and other successful retail brands have in common?

NRF: Disney Store shares details about POS, store redesigns

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A complete overhaul of both technology platform and store design draw up a new in-store experience.

NRF: Convergent technologies on the retail horizon

Shoppers want a seamless cross-channel experience; retailers who miss on convergence could fall behind.

NRF: VeriFone debuts mobile payment solutions (VIDEO)

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The payments giant unveiled its strategy for mobile at an early sneak-peek on NRF opening day.

HP's new retail digital signage, POS offerings at NRF BIG Show

by Christopher Hall

HP continues its move into the digital signage space and strengthens its retail offerings at the BIG Show.

NRF: Panel considers what retailing will look like in 2020

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Changing demographics, emerging markets among the seismic changes retail is facing in the coming decade.

NRF: Target, Walgreens execs talk mobile strategy

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Executives discussed their strategic approach to integrating mobile with the in-store, online experiences.

NRF: Executive schools retailers on mobile payment

Retailers could reap a plethora of benefits by implementing mobile-payment systems

Livetweet: Follow the NRF 2011 Big Show

This weekend, the retail world will converge on New York City for the NRF 100th Annual Convention & EXPO. The event takes place January 9-12 at the Jacob…

Shedding legacy practices is key to building great customer experiences

There is opportunity for those who grasp that customers will respond to an experience delivered from their point of view.

The top 10 Retail Customer Experience stories of 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Practical information and tactics resonated loud and clear with readers this year.

Top 100: 90. Dollar General

After raising $444 million in an IPO taking the discount retailer public in 2009, private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. promptly paid down $73…

Five ways retail kiosks can extend a brand

Kiosks can make it next-to-impossible for consumers to forget a brand.

Council takes wait-and-see approach to mobile payments

PCI SSC announced it would not approve or list any mobile-payment applications as compliant for the time being.

Top 100: 93. Michaels Stores

Founded in 1984, Michaels Stores anticipated the modern arts and crafts boom by providing nascent painters, scrapbookers, knitters, florists and cake…

Top 100: 92. JCPenney

While other retailers closed stores or laid off workers in response to the downturn, JCPenney continued investing, most notably opening its first Manhattan…

Top 100: 91. Family Dollar

Yet another "dollar store" (see Nos. 82 and 90) has reported a sharp increase in profit thanks to wary consumers in a struggling economy. Family Dollar’s…

Top 100: 94. Old Navy

Old Navy hoped to leverage consumers' renewed frugality last year when the company recommitted to its original focus and began redesigning more than a thousand…

Top 100: 95. Ross Stores

Even though off-price discount retailers have generally been top performers in recent years, Ross Stores has distinguished itself against its closest…

Top 100: 96. Sears

With Sears Holdings Corp.'s total revenues falling $93 million to $10.5 billion for the second quarter of 2010, the retailer began revamping its Web strategy.