An independent retailer's viral plea for business

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Here in my hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, one of the most iconic fixtures of the local retail scene for the past 25 years has been the music store Ear…

Target is testing shopkick

November 15, 2010

Target today became the first mass-discount retailer to make the shopkick mobile application available to its guests. Users of the app will receive points and…

NRF: Consumer reliance on credit cards for holiday purchases lowest since 2002

November 15, 2010

To ensure they only spend within their budget, more Americans will use their debit cards or cash for their holiday purchases, while the use of credit cards is…

Target launches iPad app

November 15, 2010

Target today announced its first app for iPad is available now on the App Store. The retailer said the app provides a rich and interactive shopping experience…

U.S. Bank, Visa to begin mobile-payment pilot

U.S. Bank and Visa Inc. soon will begin testing mobile payments in more than a dozen states.

Google adds local product search

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 14, 2010

Google has added local availability results to its product search, the company announced today on its retail blog. In the works since March, the service lets…

NRF: Retail sales increase in October, marking four straight months of growth

November 14, 2010

With four straight months of sales gains under their belts and with the holiday season fast approaching, retailers have reason for optimism as consumer…

MyRegistry.com launches Android app with barcode scanner

November 14, 2010

MyRegistry.com, provider online gift registry technology, has announced the release of a new and free Android app that offers an additional method of building…

Driven by social networking, retailers' 'owned media' set to rival paid media for primacy

November 14, 2010

Media Logic has published the results of a two-month study tracking the social media- marketing efforts of 100-national retailers. The study offers concrete…

Managing Electricity Costs with Kiosks and Metering

Self-service technolopgy, in combination with a smart grid, can change the utility purchase model.

J.C. Penney unveils two new brands

November 11, 2010

J.C. Penney Co. has launched the Growth Brands, a division that will pursue high-potential opportunities in the retail sector. Growth Brands' initiatives will…

3-D screen aims to catch eyes, sell chips at Circle K

ProVision 3D says its advertising system will expand to several large merchants next year.

Video: Simbioz gesture-recognition digital signage at CETW

by Christopher Hall — w, t

Montreal-based Simbioz showed off its "touchless interactivity" tech on the show floor.

Sears, Kmart unveil Facebook e-gift program for holidays

November 10, 2010

Giving the gift of a Sears or Kmart gift card has gone social as the retailers announced the introduction of eGifting on Facebook. The new Sears and Kmart…

Three-quarters of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday

Nearly two-thirds plan to make online purchases on Cyber Monday.

Target Marketing Hits Home With CoupSmart

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Marketers spend a lot of money tracking what we buy so they can tailor promotions to our specific needs. Now, we consumers can take that tracking into our…

Sheetz launches branded rewards debit card

November 9, 2010

Sheetz, one of the fastest growing, family-owned convenience stores in the world, with more than 380 locations across six states, is now offering customers a…

Demographic differences surface in holiday shopping survey

Two-thirds of consumers say their financial situation is the same or better compared to this time last year.

Bling Nation brings mobile payments to regional grocery chain

November 9, 2010

Bling Nation has announced that Brookshire Grocery Co., one of the largest regional grocery chains operating in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, is bringing…

Digby, Invodo partnership brings e-commerce video to smartphones

November 9, 2010

Invodo, a full-service e-commerce video partner for online retailers, and mobile commerce provider Digby announced that they have formed a partnership.