Retail trends go under the microscope at August Summit

Consumer trend experts Vickie Abrahamson and Mary Meehan will share the findings of their latest research.

Why Self-Checkout Lanes Are Increasingly Getting Checked-off

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

About a decade ago, retailers demanded greater profits – leading to the roll-out of the self-checkout lanes. The introduction of self-checkout lanes was viewed…

Avoiding your Napster Moment

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

In a previous post I talked about how companies are often blind-sided by what I call Napster moments. Napster moments are radical, game-changing innovations…

Consumer study offers insights into the U.S. gift card market

More consumers are reloading open- and closed-loop cards, which can mean more visits and a greater spend.

You know your brand stinks when the government adds regulations

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

The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued new rules for the airline industry including price disclosures and cash penalties for a variety of airline…

Survey: Retailers unsatisfied with cross-channel abilities

Only 21 percent of retailers are satisfied with their ability to deliver across channels.

US Airways suing for lower prices

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

A recent Miami Herald headline - "US Airways sues Sabre over pricing." According to the article US Airways isn't the only airline, American has a suit pending…

Big Y Foods pioneers Groupon use for grocery marketing

Retailer says there is 'big power' in store-specific coupon deals.

Hitwise says each new Facebook fan leads to 20 extra visits to a retailers site

June 22, 2011

According to the Hitwise blog, Facebook fans have a real measurable value: 20. That’s the number of additional visits Hitwise analyst Robin Goad said a…

Always Wired: Why Retailers Should Offer Free Wi-Fi In-Store

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Mobile devices are the nexis of consumer purchasing power, as they now give consumers the ability to comparison shop, purchase, and share likes/dislikes from…

Good news for retailers and shoppers: "retail therapy" does make you happy

June 20, 2011

According to an article in the UK Daily Mail, it’s official: shopping does make you happy. The article cites a new study that says buying something nice has “a…

Study: UK online customer service needs improving

June 20, 2011

A new report from Eptica, a UK-based provider of customer interaction management software, surveyed the online customer service practices of 100 leading UK…

Five steps to integrating your multichannel marketing

While the message should remain consistent, what works on television or in a circular likely won't work on mobile or at the shelf.

New social shopping study reveals how consumers select and purchase goods online

June 15, 2011

PowerReviews and the e-tailing consultancy group yesterday released the 2011 Social Shopping Study, which looks at how consumers research, select and purchase…

U.S. retail sales drop for the first time in 11 months

June 13, 2011

According to Bloomberg, U.S. retail sales fell in May for the first time in 11 months. Americans spent less because of higher gasoline and food prices. Fuel…

Consumers expected to spend a little more this Father's Day

June 12, 2011

According to The Street, market research firm IBISWorld reported that Father's Day was a $10 billion holiday last year, and is forecasted to increase by 4.…

Countering the 'Groupon Effect' and linking tactics to strategy with mobile marketing

How should retailers use mobile marketing to establish brand loyalty?

Google video unveils consumer smartphone usage trends

Survey-based data reveals how smartphones have changed the ways consumers search and shop.

Research: Mobile is increasingly important in the multichannel mix

The number of U.K. consumers using a smartphone to shop has grown 13 percent in the last nine months.

Scarcity mentality: Boon or bane?

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

Actually it could be either, depending upon where it exists.