Study: Mobile isn't the end for brick-and-mortar stores

Most consumers still want to shop in stores.

Australia reports increase in February retail sales

April 3, 2012

Australian retail sales increased last month, led by gains at department stores and newsstands in an economy driven by mining investment, according to…

The agony and the ecstasy of online product reviews

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Today's xkcd comic is a pretty brilliant illustration of just how frustrating online product reviews have become for consumers.

Sony moves to common pricing

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Sony's CEO, Phil Molyneux, announced a move to common pricing beginning April 1, 2012. What is common pricing? More importantly, what is the impetus for this…

NRF 2012: Tools to get more from the retail floor

SMS (Store Management System) believes retailers overestimate floor traffic and the percent of it they sell. Analytics and resulting strategies can increase…

For retail, honesty is the only policy

Misleading customers leads to far worse problems than telling them something unpleasant they need to hear right now.

NRF: Easter sales to exceed $16 billion

March 20, 2012

Americans will shell out an average of $145.28 on everything from apparel and candy to food and decorations this year, up 11 percent from $131.04 last year…

Walmart customers now shopping Amazon.com

March 20, 2012

Although most of Walmart’s customers were latecomers to online shopping, they are now trolling for deals at Amazon.com and putting pressure on the retail giant…

Retailers on trend with mobile technology

March 19, 2012

Retailers are following the old adage of "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em" when it comes to mobile technology. Instead of fighting it, they are arming their…

The dangers of competitive pricing intelligence

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

Many businesses, particularly larger businesses, feel that competitive pricing intelligence is essential to their success. Is that true? Or will their…

Are independent hardware stores ready for a comeback?

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Do you remember being at a bowling alley or supermarket and seeing the old claw game? The one where you navigate the joystick in hopes of manipulating the claw…

Is Klout the new credit score?

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Celebrities have long been known to receive special treatment. The best seats in the house, front of the line access to the hippest clubs and healthy discounts…

Why timeliness and responsiveness are crucial for retail

The best time for anything is the time that is best for the customer.

Gap's marketing strategy may be a mistake

March 14, 2012

Gap, which successfully marketed to young adults in the 1990s with classic khakis and swing-dancing ads, is hoping that demographic will again buy into its…

Nielsen: Shoppers prefer mobile web over apps

March 14, 2012

Retail websites are more popular than retail apps, according to a recent Nielsen survey, but no matter how consumers prefer to reach their favorite online…

NRF: February retail sales mark 20 months of consecutive growth

March 13, 2012

With a spring in their step, retailers marked 20 consecutive months of sustained year-over-year retail sales growth in February as unseasonably warm…

Report: Mobile promotions trump brand loyalty for consumers shopping in grocery, drug stores

March 12, 2012

The "Mobile Shopping Survey Series, Part 2: CPG Shopping Behavior" – the second in a three-part series on smartphone owners' in-store experiences sponsored by…

The dangers of cost-plus pricing

by Dale Furtwengler — President, Furtwengler & Associates, P.C.

In the early years of my consulting work I picked up a client that had been losing money for two consecutive years and was experiencing severe cash flow…

Retail Bracket Madness - cast your vote!

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Which retailer provides the best customer experience? Cast your votes today!

Psychological secrets of Gen Y shoppers revealed

March 9, 2012

Retailers learned how best to market to Gen Y shoppers this week at the 2012 Shopper Marketing Forum. Consumer psychologist and author Kit Yarrow, PhD.…