38. Anthropologie

The specialty store operates under the notion that bigger isn’t necessarily better. With 121 locations and a loyal customer base of women ages 30 to 45…

NRF launches mobile retail initiative

April 6, 2010

With consumers relying on handheld devices for everything from phone calls to Web surfing, retailers are looking to mobile as the next frontier of the shopping…

LUCY may make health matter for Kroger customers

Retail food chain Kroger is deploying a self-service healthcare and nutritional information program for its shoppers.

What does the iPad mean for retail self-service?

Software providers are already developing employee training and customer service apps for the new Apple device.

Loyalty programs: what works, what doesn't

Perhaps not surprisingly, the least costly methods of building and maintaining loyalty are often the least effective.

Redbox hints at unlimited streaming media plan

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

April 6, 2010

If a recent survey sent out by DVD kiosk operator redbox is any indication, the company is thinking about getting into the streaming media business. High-Def…

40. Trader Joe’s

The 310 Trader Joe’s locations across the country stand out from run-of-the-mill grocery chains, offering health foods, organic produce, nutritional…

39. Target

Discount retailer Target had a steadier year compared to many retailers, but continued to provide the same quality customer experience to its shoppers. In an…

Whole Foods recycling program collects 2 millionth container

April 6, 2010

The Greenopolis Recycling System celebrated the collection of its 2 millionth container this weekend at Whole Foods Market in West Hollywood, when Wayne Meza…

Kohl’s kiosk plans draw attention from press, investors

April 6, 2010

Department store chain Kohl’s plans to deploy self-service kiosks in all of its stores late this year. According to a report from Zebra Technologies’ Shelf…

PRN, Costco renew partnership

April 6, 2010

Premier Retail Networks Inc., a provider of digital place-based media services, and Costco Wholesale Corp., the third-largest retailer in the United States…

Report: Retail hiring on the increase

April 6, 2010

Kronos Inc. has announced the April release of the Kronos Retail Labor Index, a family of metrics and indices that analyze the relationship between the demand…

Just for you... here's the one word that matters

by Susie Pecuch — Client Contact, The Customer Experience Architects

Amidst the many fancy and impressive business theories, advice and strategies for retail success, there is actually only one word that really matters.

The Market Share Myth

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

The Automated and Connected Store

Store revival in retail will require a monumental shift in the retailer's mindset for overhauling a customer's destination shopping experience, personalized…

Retail CRM vendor landscape and capabilities

No single vendor can deliver all functionality defined in this retail CRM solution map, but a few vendors are close. The commercially available multichannel…

Study: Women buying more online in response to poor customer service

April 4, 2010

A recent survey by VibrantNation.com, an online community for women over 50, reveals that Baby Boomer women are shifting their clothing purchases online…

Whole Foods to stop accepting checks

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

OnMilwaukee.com reports that Whole Foods is about to take away several payment options.

Webinar: Online Retail and the ROI of Live Help - Why Global Online Shoppers Demand Live Customer Service

A growing number of retailers are turning to live chat and click-to to-call solutions to provide live online customer service instead of forcing shoppers to…

Survey: Low prices replace customer service as primary loyalty driver

Walmart dominated the 2010 COLLOQUY Retail Loyalty Index, in results that reflect a reality of the Great Recession.