Egging for the bigger basket

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

The saying goes that you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelet, but this year coloring a dozen eggs may crack your budget.

NRF announces cybersecurity initiative

April 16, 2014

The National Retail Federation is moving forward with the creation of a program that will provide retailers access to information on cybersecurity threats…

Versatile Credit introduces tablet-based credit app device for retail

April 16, 2014

Versatile Credit has announced the launch of The Hive, a new countertop kiosk designed to fit in more store environments. Versatile Credit is a business unit…

New survey says most consumers concerned about personal data privacy

April 15, 2014

A recent poll by marketing research firm GfK reveals that almost nine out of 10 (88 percent) U.S. consumers are at least "a little" concerned about the privacy…

Amazon acquiring digital comic book platform comiXology

April 14, 2014

Amazon has announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire comiXology, a company "that revolutionized the digital comics reading experience with their…

NRF reports retail sales up in March

April 14, 2014

Warmer spring weather spurred continued consumer spending and activity this March. According to the National Retail Federation, March retail sales, which…

Rogers launches NFC-enabled mobile wallet in Canada

April 14, 2014

Rogers Communications Friday launched the suretap wallet, a new application that lets customers use their NFC-enabled smartphones to make payments at tens of…

When it comes to loyalty marketing, sometimes less really is more

by Fred Thompson

Let's play a game. Ask your fellow executives to name (without looking) those perks that your customers perceive to be the top five benefits of your loyalty…

March spending growth remained positive despite Easter shift into April

April 11, 2014

First Data Corporation has released its First Data SpendTrend analysis for March 1, 2014, through March 31, 2014, compared to March 2, 2013, through April 1…

Securities analyst predicts NFC-enabled iPhone

April 11, 2014

Apple this fall will release a new iPhone with NFC integration and also include the technology in its long-rumored iWatch, according to an investor note from…

Retail lessons for today, learned from PBS' Mr. Selfridge

It turns out that what was true 100 years ago in retail is still true today.

Research: Can Bitcoin succeed?

April 10, 2014

The mixed news and reviews of Bitcoin leave the public to wonder: Is Bitcoin on its last legs, or will it become a part of the mainstream payments…

Report says U.S. retail sales topped $4.5 trillion in 2013, outpaced GDP growth

April 10, 2014

Total retail sales in the U.S. topped $4.53 trillion in 2013, and e-commerce accounted for a significant portion of that growth, up 16.9 percent in 2013 — or…

How to ensure a symbiotic mobile marketing strategy

A brand's app and mobile wallets create a cross-pollination effect that's unrivaled for driving consumer engagement.

HSN, Disney announce marketing partnership

April 9, 2014

Entertainment and lifestyle retailer HSN has announced a multifilm marketing collaboration with Disney Studios for three upcoming movies, "Maleficent,…

VeriFone unveils its first handheld EMV-capable payment terminal with Bluetooth, 3G radio and Wi-Fi

April 9, 2014

VeriFone Systems has announced the VX 690, its first handheld EMV-capable payment terminal featuring Bluetooth, 3G radio and Wi-Fi connectivity. According to…

ScanLife app joins SessionM mobile loyalty network

April 9, 2014

Scanbuy, a mobile engagement solutions provider, announced that it has partnered with mobile loyalty platform SessionM to reward users of the ScanLife app for…

Consumer spending on Easter forecast to reach nearly $16 billion

April 9, 2014

According to NRF’s new Easter Spending Survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, the average American celebrating the holiday will spend an average…

Village Vending brings back English village stores

April 9, 2014

Village Vending, a company based in the small historic town of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, U.K., is providing self-service kiosks with the look and feel of…

Sephora bringing 'experiential beauty environment' to Coachella music festival

April 8, 2014

Sephora Collection, exclusive beauty sponsor of the 2014 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, has announced that it will be hosting The Sephora Collection…