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.

Australians demand technology-based shopping

June 5, 2011

Nearly three quarters of Australian consumers wanted their shopping experiences to have some type of technology, including in-store kiosks, mobile phones and…

Tesco still fighting uphill battle in the United States

Tesco's Fresh & Easy keeps pushing along in the U.S. as the chain recently announced plans to open its first two stores in San Francisco.

Four essential steps for acquiring and retaining today's connected customer

Globalization and technology are transforming retail customers at a velocity never before experienced.

Putting on the Charm: A Look at Charming Charlie

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Charming Charlie is becoming the darling of shopping malls as it expands the number of store units nationwide.  The secret of Charming Charlie’s success is its…

Retailers' venture into F-commerce is an uphill battle

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Overcoming security and privacy issues and defining value are major challenges. 

Price gouging: Is it possible?

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

There have been reports of price gouging on sales of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf with dealers charging $10,000 or more over the manufacturer's suggested…

NRF: Father's Day spending jumps considerably this year

May 30, 2011

Faced with tough budgeting decisions, consumers have put Father's Day on the back burner for years, but this year Americans seem intent on showering dad with…

Create customer engagement through relevant assortment

Customer-first retailers approach product assortment as a form of storytelling.

New study evaluates consumer behaviors, attitudes toward social commerce

Though many retailers use social media to build their brand, companies may also be able to monetize these channels.

Moms and loyalty — the power of the I-Network

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

I read this blog post about Moms and loyalty with great interest: The post noted new consumer research that shows that many consumers value the ability to…