Eight characteristics of successful retail concepts

What do Apple, Zappo's, REI, IKEA, Walmart and other successful retail brands have in common?

NRF: Panel considers what retailing will look like in 2020

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Changing demographics, emerging markets among the seismic changes retail is facing in the coming decade.

The top 10 Retail Customer Experience stories of 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Practical information and tactics resonated loud and clear with readers this year.

Five things customers hate about holiday retail

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Repetitive music, crowded aisles are on the list of things that can send shoppers screaming from your store.

Survey reveals generational differences in holiday shopping plans

Mobile phones have become an integral part of holiday shopping, in a number of ways.

Four ways retailers can reach out for last-minute holiday sales

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Location-based marketing, personal touch among the ways stores can squeeze every sale out of the season.

Survey: Smart phones are changing behavior for bargain-hunters

Couponing could become a more important part of the retail experience as smart phones proliferate.

Deploying social media to cultivate customer loyalty

Average spending on social media to achieve loyalty increased by 193 percent over the past year.

Black Friday weekend sees bigger crowds, $45 billion in spending

With one of the biggest shopping days of the year under their belts, retailers have reason to smile.

Legal risks of new retail applications

New technology offers retailers a business boon. Are there possible legal ramifications?

Holiday e-commerce spending: $38.5 billion in 2010

More online deals means more shoppers will stay home on Black Friday, according to report.

Three-quarters of consumers plan to shop on Black Friday

Nearly two-thirds plan to make online purchases on Cyber Monday.

Demographic differences surface in holiday shopping survey

Two-thirds of consumers say their financial situation is the same or better compared to this time last year.

The five online commerce features that create loyalty

Product images, speedy search among the most desired features for online shoppers.

Survey: Average holiday shopper plans to spend $845 on gifts

2010 is expected to have a more optimistic outlook for holiday gift spending when compared to last year.

Study: Most grocery shoppers want more information on healthy eating

Despite healthy-eating consumer initiatives, shoppers have not changed their old buying habits, behavior and perceptions.

Can Halloween scare up more retail sales?

Trick-or-treating can be just as indicative of consumer interest in holiday purchases as back-to-school.

Emerging technology and data trends in customer loyalty

Social networking is adding volumes of attitudinal data that complements behavioral transactional data.

Groupon responds: 95 percent of merchants would do it again

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The deep-discount deal-of-the-day site says most retailers are thrilled with the results it delivers.

Opinion: Customers want relationships, not low prices

Retailers need to solve the customer's problem, but also deliver satisfaction on an emotional level.