69. Microsoft

How do you become a retailer if your most popular products are mainly sold through OEMs? That was the debate following Microsoft's announcement of plans to…

Five great uses of social media at retail

Retailers are struggling to figure out how to fit social media into their holistic strategy. Here are five retailers that are doing it right.

Tesco entering the movie business

January 27, 2010

When Tesco CEO Sir Terry Leahy told this year's NRF attendees to "follow the customer" for new business ideas, he might have had this in mind: AdAge reports…

Nanonation announces support for Apple iPad

January 27, 2010

Software developer Nanonation has announced plans to support and develop new customer-facing applications utilizing Apple's latest iPad product platform.

70. Virgin Megastores

The reign of Virgin Megastores as tourist attractions came to an end with the closing of all six U.S. locations. The stores in general remained profitable, but…

Sears goes above and beyond for police widow

Old-fashioned customer service values are on display in Pennsylvania, where the retailer is coming to the aid of the wife of a fallen officer.

NCR continues self-checkout march into eastern Europe

January 26, 2010

NCR Corp. has signed an order with SPAR, the world's largest food retail chain with more than 126,000 stores in 32 countries, to install NCR self-checkouts in…

Sears goes above and beyond for police widow

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Old-fashioned customer service values are on display in Pennsylvania, where the retailer is coming to the aid of the wife of a fallen officer.

Abercrombie & Fitch, Hollister build mobile storefronts

January 25, 2010

Digby, developer of mobile commerce solutions for the retail and e-commerce market segments, announced today that global retailer Abercrombie & Fitch has…

Study: Loyalty programs are failing to connect with customers

January 24, 2010

As more marketers turn to loyalty and rewards programs to spark business growth, a new report from the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) Council indicates that…

Secure POS Vendor Alliance announces new members

January 24, 2010

The Secure POS Vendor Alliance (SPVA) recently announced five new members, bringing its inaugural year total to nearly 20.

Amazon exploring electronics trade-in program

January 24, 2010

Financial Times reports that online retail giant Amazon is developing its own platform for accepting trade-ins of consumer electronics.

Macy's will open Bloomingdale's Outlet stores

January 21, 2010

Macy's announced in a press release that it will launch a new store concept this year called Bloomingdale's Outlet. Four of stores are planned for 2010, each…

71. redbox

Retailers' ultimate dream is to create a totally new product or concept that's a commercial success, yet not overrun with competition. That's been the reality…

The Lost Art of the Loss Leader

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

Traditional strategies for promotional discounting are being ignored, and retailers are losing revenue as a result.

Target remodeling stores, adding TV delivery service

January 20, 2010

Big changes are afoot at Target, including an announced budget of $1 billion to renovate 340 stores this year. According to MarketWatch, the retailer is also…

Home Depot spending $60 million on handheld devices

January 20, 2010

DIY retailer Home Depot is spending big bucks this year to help its staffers improve the in-store experience: According to BusinessWeek, the retailer announced…

Food Lion, Bloom pay customers to buy private-label products

January 20, 2010

Grocers Food Lion and Bloom are getting aggressive with their private-label products, says Progressive Grocer. In a marketing campaign that runs through Feb.

What e-commerce conversion rates from January 5 and 6 can tell us

Data points to a link between shopping cart abandonment rates and bargain seeking behavior, but it could also potentially indicate widespread out-of-stocks…

72. BOSE

When BOSE announced it was laying off 1,000 employees, or 10 percent of its workforce, in February, most analysts immediately linked the cuts to the demise of…