Retailers reprogram workers in efficiency push

September 10, 2008

Wall Street Journal: Retailers have a new tool to turn up the heat on their salespeople: computer programs that dictate which employees should work when, and…

'Aldi's cost-cutting makes Walmart look like Whole Foods'

by Tracy Kitten — Editor, AMC

September 10, 2008

Reveries.com: Aldi's U.S. sales are nowhere near Wal-Mart's — $3.3 billion in 2006 versus $92 billion for Wal-Mart, according to FMI. But Aldi's focus on…

iPhone used to hook customers

Innovation must meet standard etiquette and privacy best practices.

Gartner: Measuring the customer experience takes more than one metric

September 9, 2008

SearchCRM: Managing the customer experience seemed to be a major priority for many attendees at the Gartner CRM Summit this week, where it was the central…

Trail Mark store upgrades design

September 8, 2008

REjournal: Trail Mark, an 1,800-square-foot outdoor specialty retail store in the Edina, Minn., Galleria Mall, recently worked on refreshing its look with a…

Capturing leads electronically

September 8, 2008

GM adopts kiosk marketing program - an electronic solution for lead capture.

Developer tries airier feel for retail, office combo

September 8, 2008

The Globe and Mail: According to the stereotype, shopping center developers set out to cram as much retail floor space as possible onto the available land then…

Sprint takes aim at history of tepid customer service

September 8, 2008

ZDNet: Sprint, which has a shaky customer service record, wants to improve its standing with subscribers by using its reps to deliver personalized tips.

PayPal, TheFind partner to make online shopping easier in U.K.

September 8, 2008

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — For shoppers frustrated with searching online and being faced with pages of irrelevant product results and hundreds of links to sift…

Lesson for retail? Obama's veep text misses 50% of subscribers

September 7, 2008

When Barack Obama promised a text message as the means by which he'd announce his selection for vice president, the news was seen as a coming-of-age for…

Customers want to personalize gift cards, study finds

September 7, 2008

Brandweek: Gift cards continue to gain favor as a practical gift-giving alternative. But to attract buyers, more retailers need to provide the option to…

The Incentive's Role in a Survey Program's Success

September 7, 2008

Do companies need to provide an incentive to get their surveys completed? It depends.

Using online game, Best Buy amps employees on new service

September 7, 2008

MINNEAPOLIS — Ask anyone who works in a big company how many messages they receive from management on a weekly basis. Most likely, you'll hear a weary sigh…

Macy's deal makes it exclusive Tommy Hilfiger dept. store

September 7, 2008

Houston Chronicle: Starting this week, Tommy Hilfiger U.S.A. will have an exclusive alliance with Macy's that leaves it as the only U.S. department store…

Store hosts wedding of employee, customer

September 7, 2008

Fayetteville Observer: Weddings are common enough. But one in a retail store? That's the love story of Vanessa Thomas and Christopher Romano, who were married…

Walmart releases details on new 'Smart Network'

September 4, 2008

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — In a live event, simulcast between New York City and Bentonville, Ark., Walmart executives today unveiled the new Walmart Smart Network…

Branding takes the bluetooth way

September 4, 2008

Business-Standard (India): Companies are now taking the help of bluetooth technology at bus stations and other public places to promote their brands, after the…

Walmart honors HP for Pavilion packaging

September 4, 2008

The Channel Wire: Walmart named Hewlett-Packard the winner of its Home Entertainment Design Challenge earlier this week, for HP's clever packaging scheme for…

Sephora.com launches 'Ratings & Reviews' online feedback

September 4, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO — Sephora U.S. launched an innovative new "Ratings & Reviews" function from Bazaarvoice for each of the thousands of products sold on…

Store makeover starts at Orange to improve customer care facilities

September 3, 2008

Mobile Today (U.K.): Orange is looking to boost the quality of customer service in its stores by giving new and existing stores improved customer care…