Ken Blanchard on giving 'legendary service'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The key is to create a culture in which employees truly care, says one of the world's most respected authorities on leadership.

Amazon teases 'amazing' new device coming later this month

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Amazon has uploaded a brief video, showing the reactions of various consumers to a new mystery product.

The one thing about Big Data that retailers aren't talking about enough

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The collection of consumer data is not just transactional – there is an emotional component that is being ignored.

Want to connect with customers? Think mobile first. [infographic]

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Most Americans now own a smartphone and are using them to shop and eat out.

Retail Roundtable: Amazon's patent for 'anticipatory shipping'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Can the online giant really ship products before they're ordered, or is this another well-executed piece of hype?

The 'miserable men of shopping,' via Instagram

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

In the early days of my marriage, my wife and I spent a lot of time at local shopping malls. In those pre-children years, shopping was more a leisure activity…

NRF 2014 opener: Retail stores 'meet a human need, not just a commercial one'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

An innovative mall operator opened this year's Big Show with a fresh breath of optimism and positivity.

New Sears TV spot emphasizes that the retailer 'always has parking'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

I understand what they're getting at here, and by the end of this recent 30-second bit the point is made. Kinda. Maybe.

Retail Roundtable: Amazon and USPS Sunday shipping

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Our experts weigh in on possible ramifications of this very big retail partnership.

GameStop is safe (for now): PlayStation 4 won't block used games

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The multi-billion-dollar video game industry is currently between generations — that is, most of the major hardware manufacturers haven't put out a new machine…

At NRF this year, tablets were everywhere

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Mobile in-store tech is the next big thing, if this year's exhibits were any indication.

IKEA's Valentine offer: Free cribs for babies born 9 months from now

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 15, 2013

Here's a retail marketing campaign with a real sense of humor: On Valentine's Day, IKEA ran ads in Australian newspapers offering a free crib to any baby born…

When retail associates hold their head up

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

During a panel discussion this morning at the NRF 102nd Annual Convention & EXPO, the conversation turned to hiring and keeping employees that are willing…

Retail Social Media Top 10 [Infographic]

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A look at how some of the top U.S. retail brands stack up on social media.

The one simple thing your retail associates should be doing, but probably aren't

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

As Dale Carnegie's sixth principle teaches us, the sound of a person's name is the sweetest and most important sound to that person. It is an immutable truth…

I Saw Mommy Googling Santa Claus [Infographic]

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

U.S. holiday retail sales are expected to reach $586 billion in 2012. Online and mobile sales will account for larger portion of those sales than ever before.

These Target training videos are a joke. I think.

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

We've all got that one family member who thinks he's hilarious, but he is not. Let's call him Uncle Kevin. At any family gathering, Uncle Kevin can be counted…

Retail Customer Experience launches retail podcast

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The weekly wrap-up show will focus on the big events of the week, with food-for-thought for the days ahead.

Roundtable: Vidal Sassoon's lasting legacy for retail

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The beauty pioneer changed the way people think about hair and built a retail empire in the process.

Why small retailers must work harder on customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

This is a tale of two retailers, one of them a single-location local boutique shop, the other a major multinational corporation. One of them recently gave me…