Price Chopper learns a social media lesson

Social media offers great potential for making connections, and that comes with its own unique set of risks.

How in-store mobile marketing can be more than just coupons

Despite the buzz surrounding mobile coupon apps, there is a deeper way to use the technology to drive purchases.

Ten best practices for implementing and fine-tuning retail metrics

Dashboards provide a clear picture of business operations, provided the metrics behind them are properly designed.

Report: In an online world, retail stores still crucial

September 20, 2010

Three out of four global communications providers plan to open more communication provider-owned retail stores over the next two years and must cultivate an…

Despite digital distribution, most video gamers still buying at retail

September 20, 2010

Interpret LLC, an entertainment, media and technology market research firm, today released a report, "The Rise of Social Commerce," which found that not only…

Customer/Value Alignment

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

 How do your organization’s values...

Deloitte forecasts a two percent increase in holiday sales

September 19, 2010

With slow economic growth keeping household spending plans in check, retailers should anticipate a modest increase in 2010 holiday sales, Deloitte forecast…

Report: Hispanic shopping habits more seasonal than most

September 14, 2010

The shopper experience study currently underway by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research reveals that Hispanic shoppers show a shift in shopping behaviors by…

NRF: August retail sales increase still reflects cautious consumer

September 13, 2010

The back-to-school shopping season finished on a positive note as retailers’ aggressive promotions and state sales tax holidays helped lure families into the…

Is the King a Pauper?

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

 What is it about Burger King...

Who Needs Retail Anyway?

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

Social media and networks have diminished our need for middle-men.  From publishing to advertising, brands and consumers have unprecedented access to one…

Survey: Despite economy, back-to-school spending holds steady

Households with school-aged children spend an average of approximately $404 per family on back-to-school items.

Analyst: redbox business model won't work long-term

Streaming, video on demand prompt analyst to call the peak of the DVD kiosk market in 2011.

Opinion: The recession is over, if you're paying attention to customers

A look at two retailers on the right track, and two that aren't, when it comes to satisfying core customers.

Samsung Gets It Right!

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

Update: Plastic bag ban fails in California

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 1, 2010

The Associated Press reports that California lawmakers have rejected Senate bill AB 1998, which would have banned the use of plastic shopping bags in retail…

What will bookstores look like in five years?

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The proliferation of e-readers is fundamentally changing the value proposition of bookselling.

California set to vote on plastic bag ban

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Proponents of the bill point to environmental benefits, while detractors decry possible loss of jobs.

Poll: Consumers divided on plastic bag ban

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

August 29, 2010

With the California Senate getting ready for a vote on AB 1998, which would outlaw the use of plastic bags in retail stores, we surveyed our consumer advisory…

Study: Eight out of ten consumers shop online at least once a week

August 26, 2010

Eighty-three percent of consumers are shopping online at least weekly, according to Compete's quarterly Online Shopper Intelligence Study.