Virgin Mobile woos shoppers with free beer

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 28, 2009

The new Virgin Mobile web site in Australia uses new nomenclature when describing its customers — in fact, they are no longer called customers, but rather…

Cirque du Soleil reinvents its retail shop

The entertainment company recognized an opportunity to expand its performance experience into the concession and retail shop, creating a marketplace truly in…

JC Penney testing mobile coupon program

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 24, 2009

JC Penney has announced that it will support the Cellfire mobile coupon program, which allows shoppers to download and carry coupons on their smart phones. In…

Pharmacy chain installs in-store music and messaging system

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 24, 2009

Bartell Drugs, a 57-store pharmacy chain headquartered in Seattle, has added music and messaging capabilities from PlayNetwork in its stores. Bartell is the…

RetailWire Discussion: Brands not connecting with women through social media

A new study finds that three out of four women who engage with brands via social networking sites say they are not influenced to purchase based on what they…

Restoration Hardware attempts to differentiate — by raising prices

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 23, 2009

It's a move that raises eyebrows at any time, much less during a bad economy, but high-end furnishings retailer Restoration Hardware is raising its prices in…

KioskCom, The Digital Signage Show promise new content for NYC editions

A $10,000 giveaway and execs from Coca-Cola and Coinstar get top billing at November's co-located tradeshows.

Microsoft acquisitions extend company's Dynamics line

September 22, 2009

Microsoft Corp. has announced the acquisition of industry solutions that will extend the core capabilities of one of Microsoft's ERP products, Microsoft…

Opinion: The difference between clerking and selling

The Retail Doc explains why in-store staff should be moved beyond low-hanging fruit and into real selling.

More grocery stores to stop accepting checks

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 21, 2009

Whole Foods has stopped accepting consumer checks at three of its stores this month, a test to see how consumers will react.

The Limited deploys video analytics system

September 20, 2009

DIGIOP Technologies, with technology provider ObjectVideo, has successfully completed a nationwide deployment of its video management systems for Limited…

Blackhawk unveils open-network gift cards

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 20, 2009

Blackhawk Network, the largest third-party gift card provider, has announced the availability of its Rewards Visa Gift Card through its B2B program. Cards can…

Performance Bicycle selects 3point5.com for online retail training

September 20, 2009

Performance Bicycle, the nation's largest specialty bike retailer, announced that it has selected 3point5.com to provide online training for its retail…

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?