How mobile will reshape the customer experience

Mobile applications for smart phones are poised to be the future of retailer communications with shoppers.

Grocery deploys deli self-order system

September 16, 2009

Troy, Mich.-based NEXTEP SYSTEMS has announced that Baesler's Market in Terra Haute, Ind., has deployed NEXTEP's Deli 1-2-3 touchscreen self-order kiosk…

NCR, Publix will roll out Blockbuster Express DVD-rental kiosks

September 16, 2009

NCR Corp. says it will deploy its Blockbuster Express DVD-rental kiosk in Publix Super Markets, which it says is the largest employee-owned grocery chain in…

Research: Canadian shoppers have no patience for browsing, waiting in line

September 15, 2009

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Canadians are adjusting to the economic uncertainty by comparison shopping on the Internet and searching out efficient retailers who can…

Demo: Custom foot-scanning kiosk from eSoles

ESoles, a maker of high-performance, custom foot insoles often used by athletes, recently developed the eFit kiosk to bring its product to a mass market. Here…

Report: Multichannel buyers more active, have higher spend per household

September 14, 2009

According to Epsilon Targeting, the newly formed data division of Epsilon, online sales continue to grow and certain product categories remain popular among…

E-tail clinic: Amazon.com

It's the king of online retail and a serious competitor to many a brick-and-mortar. But just how good is the Amazon customer experience?

Walmart displays emphasize 'family night'

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 13, 2009

Mega-retailer Walmart has already rolled out one recession-driven ad blitz, in which it emphasizes how families can make homemade meals for just a few dollars…

Great customer service: Remembering the little things

Tough times mean retailers need to squeeze all the value they can out of their assets, and that includes the small touches that can make a big difference.

A&P to split its brand into four store types

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 10, 2009

In an interview with New Jersey Business News, A&P chief executive Eric Claus outlined his company's plan to launch four distinct store types, each aimed…

Halfords reaches one millionth online reservation for in-store pickup

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 10, 2009

British retailer Halfords launched a "reserve and collect" feature on its web site last year, and it appears to be clicking with customers: The company…

Study: Community features drive traffic, sales to online retailers

September 10, 2009

As social networks proliferate and consumers report spending more of their time online, e-commerce is ripe to weave community into the customer experience. On…

The theater of the brand: Building entertainment experiences at retail

Retailers are using three pivotal tools to engage and stay top-of-mind with consumers.

Nielsen: Affluent shoppers more likely to be heavy coupon users

September 8, 2009

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — In today's economy, more U.S. consumers are using coupons when purchasing consumer packaged goods (CPG) items with 1.6 billion coupons…

Kronos index shows signs of recovery in retail hiring

September 8, 2009

CHELMSFORD, Mass. — Kronos Incorporated has unveiled the first installment of its Kronos Retail Labor Index, a family of metrics and indices that analyze the…

Walmart's 'Project Impact' shoots for cleaner stores, better customer service

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 8, 2009

Time is reporting on the real-world impact of Walmart's "Project Impact," a makeover initiative that sees the retailer focusing on cleaner store environments…

RetailWire Discussion: Guys join the 'get out of shopping' club

Where does the shopping-averse and fashion-challenged male go for help? One answer is Trunk Club, a new online personal shopping service.

How to make men feel at home while shopping

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 7, 2009

San Francisco Chronicle fashion correspondent Aaron Britt recently went on a walking tour of S.F. men's retail with Bertrand Pellegrin, author of "Branding the…

Grass-roots marketing: Retailer mails hand-written thank you notes to shoppers

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 7, 2009

In Palm Springs, Calif., one retailer is going back-to-basics for customer service, reviving the art of the hand-written thank you note.

Making the case for custom point-of-purchase content

A core factor of the retail customer experience is advertising. But how we speak to a potential customer versus a customer at the point of purchase are not the…