Food Lion expanding its Hispanic stores conversion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 12, 2009

It's been about a year since Food Lion started its experiment with stores aimed at Hispanic shoppers, and it appears to have been a success. The company…

Higher-income shoppers embracing rent-to-own stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 12, 2009

Here's a surprising consequence of the faltering economy: The rent-to-own segment is performing very well, bringing in new customers that likely would have…

Whole Foods named 'most humane grocer'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 9, 2009

For many consumers, the recession has changed the criteria they use to select products: Fair-trade coffee and free-range chicken can quickly move from the…

J.C. Penney takes Manhattan

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

A staple of Midwestern malls, retailer J.C. Penney is getting ready to open its first store in Manhattan, and it's doing so with an edgier advertising push…

New research dissects what makes a 'wow experience'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

A new survey from The Verde Group and the Retail Council of Canada says that most shoppers — just slightly more than 50 percent — have had a great retail…

Retailers upgrading POS, focusing on its marketing capabilities

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Aberdeen Group reports that 73 percent of retailers rate themselves as sub-par when it comes to keeping their POS systems up to date technologically. And…

NCR chief: We're 'leveraging our past to create our future'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Forbes magazine's Andy Greenberg recently sat down with Bill Nuti, chief executive of NCR since 2005 and a man with a serious vision for bringing channels…

Customers abandon food, household brands, but stay loyal to child and pet care products

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Marketing company Epsilon just released the results of its recent survey of 1,500 shoppers, exploring which types of products the newly frugal are abandoning…

Nielsen survey: Most people trust online product reviews

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 8, 2009

Notable exceptions notwithstanding — Tuscan Whole Milk, anyone? — it appears that most shoppers trust online product reviews.

Apple receives patent for media distribution kiosk

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Will the wireless-enabled device bring iTunes into retail shops and airports?

Best Buy announces new stores with interactive displays

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

June 9, 2009

Best Buy announced 13 new store openings for its second fiscal quarter, the first of which opens in Alaska this Saturday.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BREAKING: Blockbuster may be on its deathbed

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

April 6, 2009

The largest chain of movie and video game rental stores in the world appears to be teetering on the brink of collapse, according to a new filing with the SEC.

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.