Costco expands delivery options

October 13, 2017

Costco is now offering same-day and two-day delivery via a new internal program and a partnership with Instacart.

1-800-Flowers.com delivers another AI shopping channel to meet gift givers wherever they're shopping

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The online florist and gift retailer is tapping artificial intelligence technologies, such as Google Assistant, to ensure it's always in quick reach of…

Impulse service on steroids

by Chip Bell — Customer Loyalty Consultant/Author, Chip Bell Group

Chip Bell explains how products involved in an impulse buy usually have some "eye catching" feature and are smartly positioned where a roving eye cannot miss.

Great expectations: Recalibrating retail as we know it

Evan Magliocca, brand marketing manager at Baesman Insights & Marketing, explains why the in-store experience must be new, exciting and something nothing ever…

Starbucks shutters online store front

October 11, 2017

Consumers can't jump online any longer to buy Starbucks stuff as the company has shuttered its ecommerce presence.

Walmart grabs up small NY warehouse

October 11, 2017

In its quest to provide same-day delivery on par with its ecommerce arm, Jet.com, Walmart has bought a New York City delivery company boasting a warehouse.

Long Island credit union branches to be video-teller only

October 11, 2017

There will be no live tellers, just video teller machines, at three soon-to-open Teachers Federal Credit Union branches on Long Island, New York.

'New wave' retail is starting to crest

by Christopher Hall — w, t

For many analysts, observers and pundits, the Sears story serves as a kind of moral or object lesson to Amazon. But ICXA Managing Director Christopher Hall…

Meal kit industry keeps expanding

October 10, 2017

Baldor Specialty Foods, an East Coast foodservice distributor, is the newest player to jump into the $1 billion meal kit industry, according to a New York Post…

It's going to be a jolly retail holiday season predicts study

October 10, 2017

Retailers should be in a jolly mood this holiday shopping season as a PwC report predicts U.S. holiday spending will spike 6 percent.

Mobile platform aims to empower store associates to boost customer experience

October 10, 2017

M.Gemi and PredictSpring are debuting a store associate app that aims to tap store associates to better the retail customer experience.

Alibaba one-ups Amazon by building a mall for retailers

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Chris Petersen writes on how Amazon and Alibaba, two great disruptors of traditional bricks and mortar retail, are focused on creating new models that will…

Human behavior is a good thing for businesses, reveals study

October 9, 2017

Companies that display good human relationship behaviors are more likely to make more money, according to the third annual Customer Quotient report from C…

Macy's revamps loyalty program

October 9, 2017

Macy's shoppers are getting a revamped loyalty program as of this month that aims to offer consumers a more engaging shopping experience.

Consumer spend inches up in August

October 6, 2017

There was a slight uptick in consumer spending in August, according to Commerce Department figures cited in a Reuters report.

TaylorMade Golf takes a big 'turn' to boost customer experience

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

The golf equipment manufacturer's new club subscription program, created in partnership with payments provider Klarna, not only makes upgrading clubs easier…

Walmart's Jet.com prepping private label brand

October 6, 2017

Jet.com, now an ecommerce arm of Walmart, is getting ready to launch a private label product line boasting over 60 household and food items.

Walmart readying same-day delivery for NYC customers

October 6, 2017

Free, same-day delivery will soon be offered by Walmart in the New York City area.

Why B2C marketers must strike a better balance between customer acquisition and retention

Eric Keating, vice president of marketing at Zaius, explains why ecommerce retail marketers should spend more time and resources turning existing customers…

Hilton testing ‘smart room’ to enhance customer experience

October 5, 2017

One day soon consumers staying at Hilton won't have to adjust thermostats once in the room, find their favorite television program or call to order the beer…