Study: Retailers' return policies often unclear, inconsistent

More than half do not include their return policy on their home page; one-quarter do not allow cross-channel returns.

Holiday e-commerce spending: $38.5 billion in 2010

More online deals means more shoppers will stay home on Black Friday, according to report.

U.S. Bank, Visa to begin mobile-payment pilot

U.S. Bank and Visa Inc. soon will begin testing mobile payments in more than a dozen states.

3-D screen aims to catch eyes, sell chips at Circle K

ProVision 3D says its advertising system will expand to several large merchants next year.

Video: Simbioz gesture-recognition digital signage at CETW

by Christopher Hall — w, t

Montreal-based Simbioz showed off its "touchless interactivity" tech on the show floor.

Three-quarters of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday

Nearly two-thirds plan to make online purchases on Cyber Monday.

Demographic differences surface in holiday shopping survey

Two-thirds of consumers say their financial situation is the same or better compared to this time last year.

CETW: Target exec hits the bullseye with CETWorld keynote

by Christopher Hall — w, t

Christopher Borek detailed Target's 8-point strategy for connecting with shoppers.

The five online commerce features that create loyalty

Product images, speedy search among the most desired features for online shoppers.

Survey: Average holiday shopper plans to spend $845 on gifts

2010 is expected to have a more optimistic outlook for holiday gift spending when compared to last year.

Glamour Shots gets a green-screen makeover

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The portrait studio is attempting to reboot its brand, and using one-fourth the footprint in the process.

Redbox to offer digital streaming in 2011 with deep-pockets partner

Execs offer few details but confirm talks with unnamed hi-tech, strong-content suitors to expand redbox beyond DVD kiosks.

Retailers, manufacturers announce joint effort to advance item-level RFID

The initial focus of the Item Level RFID Initiative will be within the apparel sector.

Study: Most grocery shoppers want more information on healthy eating

Despite healthy-eating consumer initiatives, shoppers have not changed their old buying habits, behavior and perceptions.

Can Halloween scare up more retail sales?

Trick-or-treating can be just as indicative of consumer interest in holiday purchases as back-to-school.

Using assumptions as a problem-solving tool

Author shares a four-question approach to isolating and solving operational problems.

Emerging technology and data trends in customer loyalty

Social networking is adding volumes of attitudinal data that complements behavioral transactional data.

The future of wired retail

New technologies and new shoppers are forcing the retail industry to change, and embracing change is the only way forward.

Gap on new logo: Never mind

The retailer quickly backpedaled on its new logo design after customer furor. Was it all just a PR stunt?

The three 'R's of loyalty

Technology is taking the realm of loyalty marketing from evolution to revolution.