Best Buy, Circuit City compete for NY holiday shoppers

December 19, 2007

USA Today: Consumer electronic rivals Best Buy and Circuit City are battling head-to-head in Midtown Manhattan this holiday season. The duel was set up when…

Measuring and managing the customer experience

December 19, 2007

Retailers must measure, manage and improve the experiences of their customers, in order to grow their businesses effectively.

Harley-Davidson integrates HVAC with other in-store systems

December 19, 2007

Keeping one of the largest motorcycle dealerships in the world comfortable and efficient required an elegant solution as distinctive as Harley-Davidson itself.

Interactive signage gives power to the people

December 19, 2007

A new trend in digital signage is emerging that combines the strength of digital signs with the interactivity of digital kiosks. For many areas, such as retail…

Fossil integrates retail, wholesale operations

December 19, 2007

The global watch and accessory company wanted to integrate information systems for its growing retail operation with the SAP software environment that…

Marks and Spencer saves money with supply-base refocusing

December 19, 2007

A.T. Kearney worked with Marks and Spencer and their leading suppliers to deliver cost savings from supply-base re-focusing, joint retailer/supplier process…

Whole Foods to get rid of plastic bags

December 19, 2007

Progressive Grocer: In a first step that may soon spread companywide, Whole Foods Market said yesterday that it will no longer offer plastic grocery bags at…

New retail trend: 'park-your-husband lounges'

December 19, 2007

Forbes: When men accompany their ladies on a shopping trip, the last thing stores — and women — want is a nagging, bored husband. After all, the more time…

Now hear this

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

December 19, 2007

In-store audio blazes beyond the blue light special.

HP launches RFID solution for retail

December 19, 2007

Business Standard: Hewlett-Packard has launched RFID products for the Indian retail market. The new offerings designed specifically for the supply chain would…

Breaking the rules of retail

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

December 19, 2007

Charging a fee for customer service? Asking shoppers to make an appointment for help? These might be the kiss of death for most retailers, but not Apple.

Trading places

December 19, 2007

Customer empathy is the best way to better customer service.

Personalized marketing

December 19, 2007

Influence positive customer experiences through psychology.

Is your live TV legal?

December 19, 2007

Digital signage that incorporates network programs is legal only if licensed correctly. Here are pitfalls to avoid.

What does online shopping really cost employers? About $7

December 18, 2007

Forrester Research released a composite overview of the "typical" multi-channel shopper - someone who shops online, through catalogs and in retail stores.

Survey: customer service trumps price

December 18, 2007

A recent benchmark survey on "The State of Retail Workforce Management," conducted by Retail Systems Research (RSR), and sponsored by Kronos Inc., indicates…

POPAI research: digital window signage increases footfall

December 18, 2007

Research commissioned by 3M and POPAI demonstrates the effectiveness of back-projecting dynamic promotional messages onto shop windows.

White-label ATMs clean dirty cash?

December 18, 2007

The Canadian Press: Canada's white-label ATMs have been found to allow fraudsters to launder money with alarming ease, leaving authorities struggling to track…

More gift cards going unredeemed

December 17, 2007

A Consumer Reports survey conducted in October found that among people who received a gift card during the 2006 holiday season, 27 percent of them left one or…

Customer satisfaction takes first dip in two years

December 17, 2007

Customer satisfaction is down for the first time since early 2005, according to the third quarter report of the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI).