Five ways digital marketing can improve loyalty programs

In too many cases, new digital channels and a retailer's loyalty program are disconnected.

Tracking customers via cell phones: Good marketing or privacy invasion?

Two malls halted testing the new technology after a U.S. senator said it invades consumer privacy.

M-commerce sales shoot up as more consumers buy via mobile

Sales will nearly double this year and more than quadruple again by 2015, report says.

IBM online retail survey shows healthy m-commerce growth on Cyber Monday

Study shows impact of tablets, mobile operating systems on m-commerce.

PayPal announces monster increase in its m-payment volume on Thanksgiving/Black Friday

by James Wester — Editor 1, Mobile Payments Today

Payment processor releases data on consumers' mobile payment trends over holiday weekend.

Social shopping: Are we there yet?

Retailers are increasingly turning to social media, but how many have realized its potential?

Why is lululemon athletica quoting Ayn Rand?

by James Bickers

The yoga retailer's blog and shopping bags have recently extolled the "Bible of the Tea Party."

Survey: Consumers trying more fashion retailers in 2011

Thirty-two percent tried a new fashion retailer in the past 90 days, up from 14 percent in 2010.

Survey: Grocery shoppers maintain or increase spending, look for more value, service

Consumer spending on groceries has increased in the past three months, but consumers are expecting more from their stores.

Report: Mobile device retail traffic will more than double this November

Fifteen percent of people logging onto a retailer's Web site are expected to do so through a mobile device.

Why it is time for retailers to quit discounting, start rewarding

Promos mainly appeal to shoppers that only buy on discount without the intent to repurchase.

Commentary: Why low prices kill brand loyalty

Are low prices to blame for disappearing brands?

What Whole Foods gained from its LivingSocial deal

The offer of $20 worth of products for $10 sold 'at a staggering rate.'

Starbucks plugs up electricity for some

Some stores are covering electrical outlets, to discourage lengthy laptop visits.

How data-driven creative is transforming the customer-retailer relationship

Data-driven insights are creating a new language for retailers and marketers to deliver personalization.

Meet Marina, the doll behind Target's Missoni launch

In preparing for the highly anticipated Missoni for Target launch, the retailer "hired" a rather curious brand advocate.

Saying goodbye to Borders … on Facebook

An analysis of the late bookseller's social media stats provides some interesting insights.

Missoni for Target line sells out, raises questions

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The partnership with the Italian fashion house moved a lot of product in a short time, but may have alienated shoppers.

New online shopper study shows the value of Facebook, Twitter, Google

Fewer shoppers come from Twitter than anywhere else, but they spend more per order than anyone.

Three tactics for reducing shopping cart abandonment

Shipping-to-value ratio, critical price points have a big impact on why online shoppers back out of a purchase.