Propelling change requires innovation, talent and technology

by Lori Mitchell-Keller — Senior Vice President and Global Head, SAP Retail Business Unit at SAP, SAP

It’s hard to change someone’s mind once they have it made up right? But retailers expect this every day. We expect shoppers to change brands and behaviors, and…

Bricks and orders: re-inventing the store

Blogger Bryan Pearson discusses how Birchbox, Amazon, Rent the Runway are re-inventing the store.

3 myths keeping customers away from online shopping

Dan Leberman, vice president North American online small and medium business unit for PayPal, debunks the myths that inhibit e-commerce.

The ultimate retail disruptors: Shoppers are the new POS

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Why do retail stores still have "cash registers"?

Hitting the bull's-eye will require more than moms in minivans

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Can a retailer really target a customer segment and create loyalty in today's omnichannel retail marketplace?

Retail of the future: Five insights from SXSW Interactive

by Jeannie Walters — Chief Customer Experience Investigator, 360Connext

In the case of retail tech, the biggest question wasn’t around the technology itself, but how to use it.

Your employees are your brand

by Ron Zamir — President and CEO, Allen Communication

There is a direct tie to loyalty and retention between how companies treat their employees and how they treat their customers.

The two types of retail leaders

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

What did your employees personally focus on yesterday to accelerate sales growth? Does each employee know what his or her next level of performance is?

From stock options to oranges: Whole Foods Rewards is a natural for growth

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Whole Foods is enjoying the fruits of its marketing labor these days, but its long-term success may rely more on its affinity for workers than affinity with…

Playing the JCPenney blame game

by Robert Passikoff — Consultant, Brand Keys

No, it's not a new promotion, but the latest excuse for holiday losses.

Customer service strategy: Deliver value with time

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

Your customers want you to know this: "Value my time and you value me." It's part of delivering amazing service.

Why customer service and branding are the same thing

by Andrew Sharpe — Retail Strategist, BRANDSPANK

If you aren't investing in customer service, you're omitting the most influential piece of your brand's story.

Three micro-trends of the retail customer experience

by Jeannie Walters — Chief Customer Experience Investigator, 360Connext

There are several ways the retail customer experience is actually becoming smaller, and it seems to be a good thing for sales and customers.

Five ways to lose a customer

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

Customer service doesn't have to be terrible to drive shoppers away. Indifference and lukewarm attitudes are bad enough.

Why merchants should adopt a mobile wallet strategy

by Michelle Evans — Head of Digital Consumer Research, Euromonitor

Michelle Evans, senior consumer finance analyst at Euromonitor International, states her case for why retailers need to have a way to reach consumers anytime…

Four ways to take advantage of Target Canada's loss

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

There are many things a loyalty marketing platform can resolve for a brand, but as Target recently demonstrated with its expensive failure in Canada, it cannot…

Customer service strategy: To serve and protect

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

If you strive to "serve and protect" customers by selling them what they truly need, you will earn their trust and confidence. And over time, that translates…

Can you charge your customers for loyalty?

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

Are you so good that your customers are loyal to you even without the incentives of a loyalty program? Good enough that they would be willing to pay to belong…

Why most retail loyalty programs are failing

by Jeff Weidauer — Vice President, Marketing & Strategy, Vestcom International, Inc.

In reality, most retail loyalty programs are little more evolved than a basic paper coupon.

How to ensure stellar customer engagement for 2015

by Jeannie Walters — Chief Customer Experience Investigator, 360Connext

Getting retail employees to engage with customers is tough. Here are four things you can do to help them succeed.