Epic Retail Fails of 2011 [Infographic]

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

It’s been a rough couple of years for retail, but it’s been especially bad for some. Here are seven particularly startling “retail fails” from the past year.

Kum & Go partners with NCR

December 14, 2011

NCR Corp. announced it will implement its Radiant c-store technology in each of Kum & Go's 400-plus stores. The chain, which is the fifth largest…

NRF upgrades holiday forecast, expects sales to rise 3.8 percent to $469.1 billion

December 14, 2011

With just 10 days until Christmas, the National Retail Federation has revised its holiday forecast upward, expecting holiday sales to rise 3.8 percent this…

AT&T opens interactive store in Illinois

December 14, 2011

AT&T has opened a high-tech retail store in Champaign, Ill. The store offers a unique way for customers to interact with and shop, including a hands-on…

Luxury watch retailer launches MICROS-designed website

December 14, 2011

Tourneau, a luxury watch retailer with 38 stores throughout the country, has launched its website, Tourneau.com, using MICROS-Retail Open Commerce Platform.

The problem with mobile wallet no one is talking about

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

If you own a credit card, it's entirely possible that you've run into situations where your card won't work. Maybe your credit limit was exceeded, your mag…

"I hate coupons!"

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

This from a woman who's been clipping coupons most of her life. What raised this angry cry?

Parents playing with the idea of Netflix-style toy rental

Is toy rental by mail a fad, or is it here to stay?

NRF: Most consumers have most of their gift shopping left to do

December 13, 2011

It's the final countdown. Over the next few weeks, millions of Americans will visit stores and websites in droves – some for the first time all holiday season…

Luxury spending is up

December 13, 2011

The 99 percent may still be struggling, but luxury spending is up, according to the Boston Globe, which reported that some retailers are even reporting that…

Prepaid cards see largest increase in activation dollars in 4 months

December 13, 2011

First Data Corporation, a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, today released its First Data SpendTrend Closed-Loop Prepaid Cards analysis…

PayPal to enter daily deal space with mobile product

December 13, 2011

A report from Bloomberg said that PayPal will be moving into the daily deal space to compete head-to-head with Groupon Inc. and LivingSocial.com.

The best way to feel a brand is to hear it

by Mark Murray — Director, The Store Channel

As we're all shopping (or perhaps "auditing") stores filled with the sounds of the season, it's a good time to talk sound. Believe me when I tell you - sound…

RIM's only road back: Building an iPhone killer

by Aaron Shapiro — CEO, HUGE

Once upon a time, Research in Motion was the world's leading smartphone company. Armies of executives were loyal to their "crackberries." It had a stock price…

NRF: November retail sales rose 4.5 percent

December 12, 2011

Strong promotions on holiday gifts helped a variety of retail categories draw in savvy shoppers as the 2011 holiday shopping season started strong. According…

RichRelevance acquires Searchandise Commerce

December 12, 2011

RichRelevance has acquired Searchandise Commerce, a retail search media company. The acquisition expands RichRelevance’s monetization and Shopping Media…

Verizon, redbox may offer video streaming

December 11, 2011

Rumor has it that Verizon and redbox are joining forces to create a video streaming service.

Senator: Amazon is attacking small businesses

December 11, 2011

Retailers are not happy about Amazon's recent promotion giving customers up to $5 off purchases when they use the company's app to compare in-store prices with…

CETW: Age and gender detection

Lo-K displayed its LOOK application at CETW fall 2011. The tool identifies the age and gender of passers-by, enabling retailers to do a better job of…

Nokia India launches marketing campaign for new smartphone

December 8, 2011

In honor of its new smartphone, Lumia, Nokia India is giving more than 5,000 of its retail stores a new look.