2016 in review: Top retail customer experience stories

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

The year 2016 was one of technology, big changes and big steps by retailers aiming to boost and hone the customer experience. Here's a look back at the big…

Retailers striving to beat Amazon must perfect the customer experience

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

To avoid losing more market share to Amazon, competing e-commerce and brick-and-mortar retailers must perfect the customer experience from the moment a…

Convenience for retail consumers will demand innovation in 2017

2016 was an interesting year in retail. Many established brands died a bricks and mortar death. While many thought this signaled the demise of the physical…

How Macy's, Target tap devices for the holidays

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Here's a reason for retailers to be "appy" this holiday season: Purchases made on mobile apps more than doubled in 2015, to nearly $50 billion. We look at…

Digital gift cards proving popular with shoppers this holiday season

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

A First Data study reveals e-gift card usage is on the climb, driven by those ages 18 to 34. The biggest card buyers are those ages 35 to 54. The main reason…

Report: Consumer-centric marketing can boost customer satisfaction

December 14, 2016

A customer-first marketing strategy can go a long way toward boosting customer satisfaction.

Credit card use on the rise among young adults, study finds

December 9, 2016

Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of U.S. consumers now own general purpose network-branded credit cards, up from 61 percent in 2015, according to "U.S. Consumers…

UPS holiday buying report: Tech gifts a top seller

December 8, 2016

High-tech lovers shopping for gifts are using their smartphones more than ever to buy tech gadget gifts and are more active in following retailers' social…

Study: Upsell fails lead to lost retail revenue

December 7, 2016

A new SkillSurvey reports a need for better customer service and sales as the lagging 'upsell' effort is resulting in lost revenue for retailers.

Shoppers expect to spend more this holiday, exceed budgets

December 7, 2016

Retailers will be happy to hear this news: nearly 60 percent of Americans expect to exceed holiday budgets by an average of $155, an 11 percent spike over…

Branded mobile pay bodes big promise for retailers

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Check out a webinar presentation featuring an IBM expert that offers up terrific insight and knowledge regarding the branded mobile payment solution now…

Slow lanes could boost supermarket experience, claims study

December 5, 2016

Supermarkets providing a 'slow lane' for the older and elderly shopper can offer the senior consumer segment a better customer experience.

Amazon boasts best-ever holiday weekend sales

December 1, 2016

The holiday weekend proved to be a sales bonanza for online retailer Amazon as it sold millions of its devices and sales were up double compared to last year.

Horseshoes, hand grenades and location data?

Gil Larsen, VP of the Americas at Blis, says retailers either win or don't - unless you're playing horse shoes or chucking hand grenades, neither of which many…

Loyalty perks, security and return options key consumer wants, reveals study

November 28, 2016

Consumers expect three major elements when it comes to online shopping. They want smooth security, a choice in return options and loyalty perks, according to a…

Mobile grabbing a big chunk when it comes to Internet usage

November 23, 2016

A new report predicts 75 percent of Internet use come next year will be on mobile devices, according to a Zenith report, which also states 60 percent of global…

With omnichannel the devil is in the data

Retailers (and their suppliers) must leverage the omnichannel network to stay relevant and harness these rich cross-channel opportunities.

Black Friday: Gimmick, gone or more relevant than ever?

by Judy Mottl — Editor, RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com

Is Black Friday relevant, needed, necessary, or even a valuable marketing opportunity, or has it become a gimmick in the retailer's quest to grab consumers…

Target goes with tradition for Thanksgiving

November 22, 2016

Despite the fact more than a few retailers are closing on Thanksgiving and many others are adjusting hours, Target is sticking with what it says works and…

How technology can enhance the customer in-store experience

Rather than being a threat, technology can in fact significantly enhance the customer in-store experience.