Top 100: 31. Loyalty programs

John Bartold, vice president of loyalty solutions at Epsilon, sees one sure indication that the U.S. economy remains in slow recovery: Loyalty cards are…

Consumer study offers insights into the U.S. gift card market

More consumers are reloading open- and closed-loop cards, which can mean more visits and a greater spend.

Is self-checkout in danger of checking out?

by Christopher Hall — w, t

Troubling news from Albertsons and Kroger is raising concerns about the future of self-checkout.

Muzak extends partnership with Sports Authority

July 6, 2011

Muzak, a Mood Media company and provider of sensory branding services for business in North America, announced today that it has signed a new agreement with…

NIKE, Hurley and Converse open third Salvation retail store

July 6, 2011

According to a Business Wire story on MarketWatch.com, Nike continues to make retailing inroads into the youth-oriented action sport and culture market with…

Duane Reade introduces 'Virtual Assistant'

July 6, 2011

Shoppers entering the flagship Duane Reade drugstore in Manhattan, New York, will now be greeted by the retail industry's first "virtual assistant." As…

NetWorld Alliance publishes introductory guide to self-service and kiosk usability

July 6, 2011

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – NetWorld Alliance, publisher of Kiosk Marketplace and other B-to-B news and information portals, has published "Executive Briefing…

You know your brand stinks when the government adds regulations

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued new rules for the airline industry including price disclosures and cash penalties for a variety of airline…

Transaction Wireless secures patent for social gifting tech for Facebook

July 5, 2011

Transaction Wireless, a provider of multi-channel digital gift card and integrated marketing solutions, announced today that it has been granted a United…

No clear winners in wake of Durbin Amendment final rule

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Both sides claim the consumer will bear the burden.

Top 100: 33. Behavioral targeting

The constant deluge of user-generated content churned out by users of Facebook, Twitter and YouTube is nothing less than a behavioral marketer's dream come…

Top 100: 32. Quick response (QR) codes

Almost everyone could tell at first glance that those funky, oversized, Rorschach-looking QR Codes (short for "Quick Response") were going to be the next cool…

You have got to hit the customer

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

No, not literally! Although while hitting customers would obviously be bad for business, it would give you a chance to build a relationship with Bubba the Bail…

Survey: Retailers unsatisfied with cross-channel abilities

Only 21 percent of retailers are satisfied with their ability to deliver across channels.

Interactive window displays debut in UK

July 4, 2011

Hidden Creative, a Manchester, UK creative agency, has unveiled the newest in window displays: a fully interactive display that window shoppers control with…

Canadian Tire adds mobile shopping app, digital signage kiosks

July 4, 2011

According to Retail Info Systems News, 1,200-store general merchandise retailer Canadian Tire is testing both a personalized location-based mobile shopping app…

Custom men's fashion meets the house call

July 4, 2011

A story in the Centre Daily Times from State College, Penn. highlights the growth of J. Hilburn, a men’s clothier that specializes in bespoke shirts and…

AMA to take action on insurers steering patients to retail clinics

July 4, 2011

The American Medical Association is getting tougher with insurers, according to American Medical News, the organizations news publication. The AMA has had a…

Help the front line right the wrong

by Jeanne Bliss — Founder, CustomerBliss

Alma Rettew bought a holiday gift for a friend, and asked L.L. Bean, whom she bought it from, to get it to her friend on a specific date (the company has a…

No teller of loyalty

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Got a surprising piece of news in the mail recently from my bank. Effective July 1, it said, I will no longer be able to earn reward points on purchases made…