A Test Material Girls Should Love: Macy’s Pilot

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

A new loyalty program may soon be rewarding shoppers who purchase brands by Madonna, Martha Stewart and Donald Trump – and they do not have to charge it.

Survey: Retailer brand strength improves with gift card exchange

August 24, 2010

Gift card exchange Plastic Jungle has announced the results of a recent independent study examining the impact of gift card exchanges on retail brands. The…

Target launches new services for electronics buyers

August 24, 2010

Target has announced three new consumer electronics services that will provide guests with an enhanced shopping experience both in-store and at home …

Making the most of transactional emails

80 percent of the revenue generated from transactional emails comes from shopping cart recovery.

Consumers Union wants protection for smartphone payments

August 24, 2010

Although payments with smartphones are about to be tested, the Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, wants businesses that offer mobile phone…

YOU ARE HERE...Whether You Like It Or Not

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

A look at the emerging location-based marketing channel and its impact on brands and retail.

Three retail debuts in Dubai

Retail design firm Callison announced the completion of three significant retail projects in the Middle East. Bloomingdale’s and Cole Haan make a local…

Overstock launches private sale site Eziba

August 23, 2010

Overstock.com Inc. has announced the launch of Eziba.com, a private sale website. Eziba.com features exclusive deals on the latest home décor products from…

You can get most anything at a kiosk in Miami

August 23, 2010

The Miami Herald looks around South Florida and finds that automated kiosks have become pervasive with applications at movie theaters, medical centers, retail…

The psychology of retail marketing

From rounded corners to natural textures: Neurological research reveals why consumers react the way they do to the in-store experience.

Bank of America to pilot payments with mobile phones in New York

Participants will use their BlackBerrys and iPhones to pay for purchases at merchants who accept contactless payments.

Pricing: An Added Convenience?

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Real World Inventory

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Nordstrom made a splash in the news this week with the announcement of offering real-time in-store inventory on the web.  In some ways, Nordstrom is ahead of…

Whole Foods unveils wellness app

August 22, 2010

Whole Foods Market has announced its Missions App is available on the App store. As a part of the company's ongoing mission to promote wellness and encourage…

Nordstrom Integrates Social Media on New Web Site

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Nordstrom's new website is killer. It blends the best of efficiency and design in one site that's easy to use, feels great, and keeps the customer focused on…

Visa, B of A testing cell phone payments

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 19, 2010

Reuters reports that Bank of America and Visa have entered a partnership to begin testing a plan that will allow shoppers to make payments with their smart…

Choo-Choo! Shoppers May be Trading Up

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Chin-up, glossy-floored department stores. U.S. retailers may be experiencing a reversal of fortune, if a couple of recent earnings reports are an indication.

Survey: 43 percent of customers rely on shopping lists

August 18, 2010

A shopper experience study currently underway by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research revealed that 43 percent of general market shoppers always rely on a…

Average family has completed more school shopping compared to same time last year

August 18, 2010

Consumers got a jump start on their back-to-school and college shopping this summer as extreme temperatures drove them into stores and out of the pool…

Smartphones look to replace plastic as payment

Several wireless carriers are testing a system that allows consumers to pay for purchases with a wave of their smartphones.