It's Amazon's world, we're just living in it

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

It doesn't seem like all that many years ago when Amazon.com was touting itself as the "world's biggest bookstore." I remember listening to its radio ads in…

Six trends that will cause brick-and-mortar retailers to lose sleep in 2012

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

It's customary to look ahead at the retail trends that will shape 2012 and the buzz, profits and challenges to profitable retailing. Here then are the good…

Old-school security cameras tracking customer behavior

December 19, 2011

Polling customers to track shopping behavior is out; security cameras with tracking software are in.

Epic Retail Fails of 2011 [Infographic]

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

It’s been a rough couple of years for retail, but it’s been especially bad for some. Here are seven particularly startling “retail fails” from the past year.

NRF upgrades holiday forecast, expects sales to rise 3.8 percent to $469.1 billion

December 14, 2011

With just 10 days until Christmas, the National Retail Federation has revised its holiday forecast upward, expecting holiday sales to rise 3.8 percent this…

"I hate coupons!"

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

This from a woman who's been clipping coupons most of her life. What raised this angry cry?

Parents playing with the idea of Netflix-style toy rental

Is toy rental by mail a fad, or is it here to stay?

NRF: Most consumers have most of their gift shopping left to do

December 13, 2011

It's the final countdown. Over the next few weeks, millions of Americans will visit stores and websites in droves – some for the first time all holiday season…

Luxury spending is up

December 13, 2011

The 99 percent may still be struggling, but luxury spending is up, according to the Boston Globe, which reported that some retailers are even reporting that…

Prepaid cards see largest increase in activation dollars in 4 months

December 13, 2011

First Data Corporation, a provider of electronic commerce and payment processing, today released its First Data SpendTrend Closed-Loop Prepaid Cards analysis…

NRF: November retail sales rose 4.5 percent

December 12, 2011

Strong promotions on holiday gifts helped a variety of retail categories draw in savvy shoppers as the 2011 holiday shopping season started strong. According…

Consumers aren't buying into discount promises

December 7, 2011

Despite research stating that most retailers are offering discounts better than or as steep as last year, consumers aren't buying it and are waiting as long as…

New study is first to test the actual impact of branded apps on consumers

Research found that mobile applications can stimulate interest in new product categories.

What customers really remember from the holidays

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

Long after the holiday and the online deals and big box sales, it's the shopping experiences that most customers remember.

Five ways digital marketing can improve loyalty programs

In too many cases, new digital channels and a retailer's loyalty program are disconnected.

Location-based marketing may increase in-store traffic

December 4, 2011

Foot traffic on the UK's high streets has seen its sharpest drop since last December's snow, falling 2.3 percent compared to the same period last year…

Dollar stores are trendy

December 4, 2011

Dollar stores are now part of the national shopping habit. As of mid-year 2011, the combined store count of the four major dollar store chains — Dollar…

KPMG report says consumers are embracing technology, willing to trade personal data

December 4, 2011

In a new study by KPMG, consumers say they are increasingly embracing new mobile technologies, but they're sending some mixed signals as well. While many still…

Klout vs. Clout: Both are important to your business

by Kimberly Nasief — President, Measure Consumer Perspectives

I'd like to tell you a story about a friend of mine — and a business that did her wrong.

Tracking customers via cell phones: Good marketing or privacy invasion?

Two malls halted testing the new technology after a U.S. senator said it invades consumer privacy.