Turning retail into a game

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

"Entertainment shopping" can be fun for shoppers and profitable for retailers, but it can also ignite controversy.

Mobile Monday: Overstock.com

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A clever scratch-off feature isn't enough to salvage this thin offering.

Welcome to the new Retail Customer Experience!

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Let me be the first to cordially welcome you to the relaunched, revitalized, reloaded Retail Customer Experience web site!

Stores within supermarkets gaining popularity

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 22, 2010

Having a bank branch inside a grocery store is nothing new, and Walmart pushed the store-within-a-store concept to include nail salons and optometrists, but…

Study: Multichannel experience dysfunctional

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 22, 2010

eGain Communications Corp., a provider of multichannel customer service and knowledge management software, reported in a news release that more than 70 percent…

Retailers can connect with mom shoppers online

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Time-crunched mothers head to the Web to meet their many unique needs – so online retailers need to be ready to serve them.

Barnes & Noble named top bookseller

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 21, 2010

Barnes & Noble Inc., the world's largest bookseller, led the specialty retail category for customer satisfaction for the third year in a row, according to…

Survey: Retail IT budgets recovering

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 21, 2010

Aldata Solution, a provider of software solutions for the retail industry, has released findings from its second-annual Global Retail CIO Survey, jointly…

The customer experience checklist

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Forrester Research's customer experience guru shares an 8-step checklist for designing an experience and keeping it on track.

Apple stores take to the seas

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

February 18, 2010

Truly, there is no place on earth that couldn't use a genius or two: Celebrity Cruises, which is now an authorized Apple reseller, says it will have the…

Apple stores take to the seas

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Truly, there is no place on earth that couldn't use a genius or two: Celebrity Cruises, which is now an authorized Apple reseller, says it will have the…

Sears goes above and beyond for police widow

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Old-fashioned customer service values are on display in Pennsylvania, where the retailer is coming to the aid of the wife of a fallen officer.

NRF: Sir Terry Leahy's six drivers for growth in 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Tesco CEO gave a generous speech at NRF where addition to his ten management tips, he also offered six drivers of growth for the coming years.  

Meijer GiftCracker site lets users anonymously research holiday wants

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

December 2, 2009

Midwestern supercenter operator Meijer has done some innovative work online this year, such as its express grocery pickup program. For the holidays, Meijer…

Cartoon Network launches build-your-own-DVD tool

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 22, 2009

Cartoon Network last week added a new feature to its Adult Swim Retail Shop: an interactive tool that allows users to build a custom DVD from a pool of…

Sports Authority chain launches 'Wii Fit Experience'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 22, 2009

For the first time, video game giant Nintendo has partnered with a major sports retailer. Last week, Sports Authority began launch of its "Wii Fit Experience,…

Gallery: In Japan, barcodes can be beautiful

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 10, 2009

Blog The Dieline has run a gallery of barcodes designed by the firm D-Barcode, and they truly beg the question of why more brands aren't doing this. After all…

After last year's tragedy, Walmart prepares for traffic on Black Friday

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 10, 2009

With Black Friday on the horizon, Walmart is taking steps to make sure last year's tragic trampling death doesn't happen again.

G&D launches cell phone sticker that enables contactless payments

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 8, 2009

Giesecke & Devrient today announced the availability of its Convego Air Mobile sticker, which enables users to add full debit and/or credit card…

Barnes & Noble Nook raises questions about digital-only products

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Technology has made it possible to deliver music, movies, books and more without a physical product. But is that good for shoppers or retailers?