The pros and cons of concealing product prices online

Keeping the price tag somewhat hidden is part of a strategy by major brands to counter the Internet's tendency to drive prices down.

Why Generation Y isn't buying your products

A Gen-Y marketer offers three tips for reaching the most demanding, most technologically savvy demographic yet.

Benchmark in-store experiences to define, measure and boost results

Customer experience programs established in the first quarter can pay dividends year round.

The lost art of the loss leader

Traditional strategies for promotional discounting are being ignored, and retailers are losing revenue as a result.

Four ways to get online shoppers to contribute reviews

Most retail Web sites allow users to write product reviews, but building a vibrant community takes more than just the tools. A recent success story from Sears…

Retailers tackling 'mountains of data'

January 3, 2010

A new report in the New York Times discusses the "mountains of data and whiz-bang technology" that today's retailers are wrestling with, in their ongoing…

Report: Loyalty to nationally advertised brands is falling

December 28, 2009

Loyalty to nationally advertised brands has been falling over the past two years.   Decision Analyst's "Anatomy of the Recession" report, based on a survey of…

Study: Christmas shoppers trust social networking for gift inspiration

December 21, 2009

More than a quarter of consumers highly value their friends' recommendations via social networking sites when shopping for Christmas gifts, according to a…

The 5 biggest retail customer experience stories of 2009

Faced with a tough economy and shaky consumer confidence, retailers innovated when it came to customer experience this year.

Study: Promotional bundles devalue products, reduce long-term profit

December 16, 2009

The best things in life aren't free, especially for companies trying to lure customers by offering sweet deals on two complementary products.

NRF survey: Most consumers are less than halfway done with holiday shopping

December 16, 2009

Though the Christmas countdown is in its final stages, it seems shoppers still have plenty of shopping left to do. According to NRF's 2009 Holiday Consumer…

Report: How consumers will choose brands after the recession

December 10, 2009

Historically, consumers that give up expensive products during a recession go back to buying them once better days return. But according to a new report from…

Study: Stigma of gift receipts is diminishing

December 9, 2009

To ensure that recipients are happy with holiday gifts, millions of Americans will rely on gift receipts to enable loved ones to return or exchange a gift…

How shopping cart abandonment affected Cyber Monday and Black Friday

December 9, 2009

The abandonment rate has steadily dropped since the end of October — but when you look beneath the monthly average, a strong weekly cycle becomes apparent.

How discounting is hurting retailers

When retailers lower prices without asking customers to give up something in return, confusion results and sales are negatively impacted.

Report: Consumer definition of value is changing

December 2, 2009

The shopper experience study underway by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research reveals that electronics and department stores continue to see the largest…

Number of Americans to shop on Cyber Monday nears 100 million

November 29, 2009

As online retailers put the finishing touches on Cyber Monday promotions, the number of people who plan to shop on the Monday after Thanksgiving may surpass…

The changing face of Black Friday

The weekend after Thanksgiving remains the biggest shopping event of the year, but the reasons customers pack the stores are changing.

Report: Consumers in a frugal holiday mood

November 22, 2009

U.S. households are expected to spend an average of $390 on Christmas gifts this holiday season, down from last year's estimate of $418, The Conference Board…

Economic, H1N1 worries will impact holiday shopping behavior

The H1N1 flu virus is expected to impact retail sales on Black Friday and throughout Thanksgiving weekend, but perhaps the bigger concern for retailers is…