#CONNECTsummit14: mobile experience first, payments second

by Will Hernandez — Editor, NetWorld Media Group

Brands are more concerned about creating the right overall mobile experience that will keep users coming back again and again.

#CONNECTsummit14: Beacons offer immediacy, simplicity and context

Beacons are powerful tools, enabling marketers to push the right message to the right person in the right place at the right time.

Seven critical questions required for business decision precision

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Today's retail stakes are too high for "lies, damned lies, and statistics."

Bond Brand Loyalty Announces New Executive Vice President of Client Services to Lead Accelerated Growth of North American Business

Bond Brand Loyalty (formerly Maritz Canada and Maritz Loyalty Marketing), North America's leading Brand Loyalty Agency, today announced the addition of Rob…

Back-to-school shoppers still wrapping up shopping lists

August 20, 2014

Coupon usage is growing among back-to-school and college shoppers.

#CONNECTsummit14: Gartner shares mobile best practices statistics

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

In the opening session for the CONNECT Mobile Innovation Summit, Gartner vice president of research Michael McGuire shared his view of how retailers should…

Embracing big data, technology and omni-channel operations to enhance the customer experience

The retail world today is epitomized by near-global access to the Internet and speedy adoption rates of smartphones.

Kaspersky study finds consumers nonchalant about data security

August 18, 2014

When it comes to protecting their personal and financial information online, consumers just might be their own worst enemy.

Customer service is simple, but it is not always easy

by Shep Hyken — CAO, Shepard Presentations

The difference between good and great is often just a little bit of extra effort by the employees who serve the customer.

Commerce Department says US retail sales slow in July

August 13, 2014

The U.S. Department of Commerce today reported that retail sales slowed unexpectedly in July, according to Reuters.

NACS says consumer confidence plummeting in August

August 12, 2014

Just as quickly as consumer optimism surged in July, it plummeted in August, even as gas prices fell by more than 15 cents over the past month.

Retail spending growth reaches 11-month high in July

August 12, 2014

Overall retail spending growth was at its strongest levels in a year as nearly all retail categories turned in improved numbers.

Study finds that digital coupons positively affect brand and loyalty

August 7, 2014

Nearly 7 in 10 consumers surveyed strongly believe that digital coupons have a positive impact on a retailer's brand, and 68 percent also say that coupons…

Four considerations for providing the best mobile customer experience

by Jeannie Walters — Chief Customer Experience Investigator, 360Connext

Is it harder to deliver a positive customer experience via mobile platforms? Forty percent of e-commerce executives say yes.

Five disruptive retail trends to watch for

by Kristen Gramigna — Chief Marketing Officer, BluePay

Retailers who approach their offerings to act more like a partner than a promoter will likely emerge the victors in the future of retail.

Smartphone-generated retail revenue up 97.6 percent, July 2014 vs. 2013

August 5, 2014

Mobile commerce platform Branding Brand has released the results of its Mobile Commerce Index for July 2014. The worldwide data sample reports…

Maslow's hierarchy of needs and the psychology of loyalty programs

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Psychology 101 meets loyalty marketing.

Why brand longevity means avoiding shortcuts

by Andrew Sharpe — Retail Strategist, BRANDSPANK

What happens, in a good story, when we skip certain parts or make changes to it? Quite simply, the essence of the story changes.

Study says 'neutral' online reviews are anything but neutral

July 30, 2014

Although businesses have recognized the value of online reviews for monitoring consumer interests, social media monitoring tools only track positive and…

Brick and mortar retail sees 59 percent revenue growth in Q2

July 30, 2014

MarketLive has announced the results of its Performance Index report for Q2 of 2014. The index report signaled a strong retail economy with across-the-board…