StoreNext to offer the LaneHawk shrink-prevention system

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 14, 2009

StoreNext Retail Technologies, a division of Retalix, announced that it will distribute the LaneHawk bottom-of-basket scanning system. The company will offer…

Retailers can weather economy by focusing on basics

Trusted brands and an enlarged pool of skilled workers provide leverage.

Safeway online coupon program coming to all stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

July 13, 2009

Drug Store News reports that Safeway is expanding its couponLink program, an interesting and innovative take on online coupons.

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…

Eight tips for better retail brand messaging

A New York City ad agency lays out a process to ensure retail communications reach their full potential.

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.

Opinion: Retailers need to cut their SKUs

Increasingly, less is more. Here are some tips on shaving your product assortment down to a more manageable, profitable size.

Niemann Foods testing in-store mobile messaging program

July 7, 2009

NORMAL, Ill. — American Digital Signage, a digital out-of-home network and digital signage solutions provider, has announced it was chosen by retail chain and…

New service tracks deli shopping habits

July 6, 2009

Progressive Grocer: The NPD Group is now tracking consumer shopping habits, purchases and perceptions of the supermarket deli department through its new…

Amazon explores private label opportunity

The online giant, like many other retailers, is looking to strike gold with the introduction of a new private label line.

Retailers localizing discounts

July 6, 2009

The Wall Street Journal: Retailers such as Walmart and Home Depot have taken on or expanded some form of "localized markdowns," rather than slash prices the…

HSN transformation a success, so far

July 5, 2009

Multichannel News: It was two years ago this month that HSN CEO Mindy Grossman completed what she hoped would be a transformation of the second-largest home…

REI prototype wins sustainable design award

July 5, 2009

GreenBiz: Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI) opened a new store in Round Rock, Texas, last year that tested several retail design and green building concepts.