Three ways packaging can impact, improve the retail experience

Brands are increasing their focus on more distinctive packaging that attracts a loyal customer base.

Red Chariot retail immersion center to open in June

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Services are aimed at reinventing the shopping experience post-recession.

Study: One in four shoppers will pay more for environmentally friendly products

May 3, 2011

According to a shopper experience study currently underway by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research, titled "The Checkout," nearly one in four shoppers are…

NRF: Retailers increasing mobile, search efforts

May 2, 2011

In an effort to better serve multi-touchpoint, always-on, and empowered consumers, a growing number of retailers are experimenting with mobile and social…

Survey: Consumers will pay a premium for good service

U.S. consumers also tell twice as many people about bad service compared to good service.

Pricing patterns are predictable. Use them to your advantage.

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

It's fascinating how predictable pricing is, especially during changing economic times. During economic downturns the vast majority of companies discount…

Change your store hours to increase sales

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

No matter what state the economy is in, no matter how frugal consumers are, customer-centric retailers are building business. Here's one way for you to be one…

EyeTrackShop uses webcams for online eye tracking

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

The online eye tracking tool delivers results at one-tenth of traditional costs.

Study reveals social media has little effect on buying behavior

April 28, 2011

According to USAToday, a new study by Forrester Research and GSI Commerce reports that social media has almost no influence on online buying behavior.

NRF: Mother's Day spending to return to 2008 spending levels, reach $16 billion

April 27, 2011

Often known as the voice of reason, and even frugality, mom doesn't expect much for Mother's Day. But this year, her loved ones are fully intent on pampering…

Are your stores connecting with today's connected Moms?

by Lynn Switanowski — President, Creative Business Consulting Group

With Mother's Day just around the corner, we can't help but think about all the wonderful moms out there who are customers in our favorite retail stores. For…

Does love scale?

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Wal-Mart recently announced its purchase of social media firm Kosmix to help it better manage and capitalize on its social and mobile marketing efforts. What…

GM's subprime auto loans: Great sales tool, or history repeating itself?

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

General Motors, recognizing that many potential buyers' credit is less than stellar these days and that funding sources aren't readily available, has entered…

Getting customers in your store ... by putting them in the window

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

If you've been looking for an easy and inexpensive way to bring in more business, check this out. Taking advantage of people's propensity to sit — at their…

Report: Falling home prices, rising energy costs weigh on consumer purchasing power

April 19, 2011

The Deloitte Consumer Spending Index tumbled in March due to a drop in real home prices and a decline in real wages driven by rising energy prices. The Index…

At Retail: Looking Good, Buying More

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

Oscar Wilde phrased it beautifully in "The Picture of Dorian Gray." He wrote, "It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances." Right or wrong, most…

Imitating your competitor's prices? Here's why that's a bad idea.

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

How do you decide what price to charge? How well is that working?As I sat down to write this post the lyrics of an old Johnny Lee song, "Lookin' for Love,…

Scan This! QR Codes Are History

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Google recently announced that it is ending both its development and support of QR (Quick Response) codes. QR or 2-D barcodes as they are sometimes called…

Five steps to a shopper-centric proof-of-concept

For a retailer to adopt a shopper-centric approach, it takes more than data, shopper insight and a memo.

Walmart purchases startup Kosmix

April 18, 2011

According to NASDAQ.com, Walmart will acquire Kosmix Corp. to accelerate the company's social and mobile commerce offerings. Terms of the deal were not…