Kroger's prescription for phone relief

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Anyone who regularly goes to the pharmacy knows that the sound of a ringing phone is as prevalent as the rattle of bottled pills. Now Kroger Co. is testing a…

NCR enhances self-checkouts with new software

April 27, 2012

NCR Corporation is making its Advanced Back Office sofware available to U.S. independent grocery stores through the NCR Interact Global Partner Program, NCR's…

What is an industry leader?

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

"Industry leader" is one of the financial press' favorite phrases, yet how often do they define the term? What makes one company, above all others, the…

Google launches e-commerce site

April 26, 2012

Consumers can now buy Google's Galaxy Nexus smartphone, manufactured by Samsung, from the company's new online store, Google Play store, previously called…

Time reporter disses Best Buy kiosks

April 26, 2012

Best Buy is reexamining the processes around its Express kiosks, managed by ZoomSystems, after a columnist from Time Magazine published details of his…

Self-service Vending Fridge now available

April 26, 2012

There's a new refrigerator on the market that allows customers to buy cold products using QR codes and a Mobile App. The Vending Fridge, created by ShelfX, a…

NRF urges FTC to move cautiously on mobile payments

April 26, 2012

The National Retail Federation this week urged the Federal Trade Commission to move cautiously in establishing regulations for mobile payments, and said any…

'Retail is theater'

April 26, 2012

Retail is a form of theater, visual merchandising guru Martin M. Pegler said recently during his session at the 2012 International Home + Housewares Show in…

Retail Technology, Motorola launch StoreMobile

April 26, 2012

Retail Technologies Corp., a developer of retail store solution software, will unveil its StoreMobile at the JDA FOCUS Conference April 29-May 2 in Las Vegas.

Retail Anywhere, SPS Commerce to deliver POS, supply-chain solutions

April 26, 2012

Retail Anywhere, a provider of POS and retail management systems for midsize retailers, and SPS Commerce, a provider of on-demand supply chain management…

Furniture kiosk brings online experience to stores

April 25, 2012

Natuzzi Americas, a leather upholstery company, has unveiled an interactive kiosk for retailers to help deliver product information, videos and photos to…

NRF: Despite gas prices, Mother's Day spending will rise this year

April 24, 2012

Riding the coattails of a spring where they spent freely on everything from garden supplies and home décor to colorful fashions, consumers will stretch their…

Modell's Sporting Goods launches e-commerce site

April 24, 2012

New York-based Modell's Sporting Goods used technology from MarketLive to create its new e-commerce site, according to a company press release.

JDA releases 3D merchandising/visualization tool

April 24, 2012

JDA Software Group Inc. has released its integrated category optimization and 3D virtualization solution to provide consumer-driven collaboration and…

When to use customer service games in training

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Customer service games can add spice to a training program. I ought to know, I wrote the book! Unfortunately, I've seen too many games used just because ...

Infographic: The evolution of customer experience

Sheridan Orr gives an overview and history of the ever-changing customer experience.

Why 'Tweets for Treats' must die

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

It was only a matter of time before marketers developed a work-around to avoid the heavy lifting of great social media. Companies like Amex and now retailers…

Loyalty plan: A compelling showroom model

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Recent news stories regarding the trend of "showrooming" have me wondering why more merchants aren't showboating the one feature that distinguishes them from…

Maurices launches AT&T's location-based mobile app

April 23, 2012

When customers walk into one of maurices' 800-plus stores, they can now check in with their smartphones using a new branded mobile app developed by AT&T…

CGS releases merchandise planning module

April 23, 2012

Computer Generated Solutions has released its BlueCherry Multi-Channel Merchandise Planning (MCMP) solution designed to improve individual retail, wholesale…