Starbucks plugs up electricity for some

Some stores are covering electrical outlets, to discourage lengthy laptop visits.

How data-driven creative is transforming the customer-retailer relationship

Data-driven insights are creating a new language for retailers and marketers to deliver personalization.

The six incorrect reports you will hear about holiday retail – again

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Fruitcakes aren't the only things that reappear, stale, each holiday season.

You should stop issuing coupons. Here's why.

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

Megan McArdle, in her May 11, 2011 article, "Discriminatory Pricing," in The Atlantic, suggests that coupons are simply a way to distinguish between markets…

NRF: 161 million people plan on celebrating Halloween, highest in survey's 10-year history

September 27, 2011

Ghouls and goblins galore, Halloween celebrations will be "BOOming" this year as more people than ever are expected to partake in traditional festivities.

Deloitte forecasts a 2.5 to 3 percent increase in holiday sales

September 25, 2011

Although the slow U.S. economic recovery and uncertainty overseas are sending shivers through consumers this fall, retailers should expect small gains in 201…

Meet Marina, the doll behind Target's Missoni launch

In preparing for the highly anticipated Missoni for Target launch, the retailer "hired" a rather curious brand advocate.

CustomInk fuels revenue growth by putting uncensored customer reviews on their home page

by Jeanne Bliss — Founder, CustomerBliss

In this era of social media, companies who embrace customer feedback and "believe" the words of their customers earn the right to growth. They realize that…

One-third of consumers say they will spend more online than in-store this holiday season

September 20, 2011

ThreatMetrix, a provider of cloud-based fraud prevention solutions that do not require personally identifiable information (PII), today announced results of a…

Holiday 2011: Study predicts more retail sales, fewer in-store shoppers

September 20, 2011

Despite the struggling economy and high unemployment rates, consumers plan to stuff their holiday stockings a little fuller this year.

Saying goodbye to Borders … on Facebook

An analysis of the late bookseller's social media stats provides some interesting insights.

Make smart merchandising choices to avoid discounting

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

Retailers are trying to keep up with the price-cutting frenzy of competitors, extreme couponers and daily deal sites.

Retail readies for advent of tight pockets at Christmas

by Laurel Tielis — Author and Professional Speaker, Laurel Tielis & Associates

It's not a fashion statement, but an economic one. According to a survey commissioned by the London-based global news agency Reuters, American shoppers will…

Why dynamic pricing is a trap you must avoid

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

Last week we discussed the airline industry's use of dynamic pricing and its impact on us, as consumers. Two other well known organizations, Ticketmaster and…

Customer satisfaction with personal computers, appliances and electronics hits a wall

September 19, 2011

Customer satisfaction across three durable goods industries stalls in 2011, with the majority of companies staying almost exactly where they were in 2010…

Netflix to split into two separate companies. Wait, what?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

I awoke this morning to a friendly, "personal" email from Reed Hastings, the co-founder and CEO of Netflix. "I messed up. I owe you an explanation," he says…

Verint expands its retail video BI suite

September 18, 2011

Verint Systems Inc. has announced the launch of key enhancements to its Nextiva Video Business Intelligence (VBI) solution, part of the Nextiva IP Video…

Missoni for Target line sells out, raises questions

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The partnership with the Italian fashion house moved a lot of product in a short time, but may have alienated shoppers.

The perils of dynamic pricing: Lessons learned from the airline industry

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

I was just introduced as a pricing guy to an airline consultant when he said "Our dynamic pricing model is working very well." What is dynamic pricing?

Millennials' brand preferences shift due to household structure

September 14, 2011

Marketers and brand managers faced with the challenge of marketing to Millennials should look to the dynamics of household structure for effective ways that…