IKEA lesson: DIY creates loyalty

May 3, 2009

Tampa Bay Online: The cult of IKEA can be explained through psychology. The Swedish retailer sells mountains of build-it-yourself furniture at modest prices…

Is price the only 'P' that matters?

Convenience-based value propositions are losing their appeal as people are repricing their free time.

Live chat drives sales, satisfaction — but only when executed honestly

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Web retailers that offer live text-chat assistance can increase conversion and generate word-of-mouth, but poor or dishonest execution can spell disaster.

Study: Shoppers trading down, changing shopping patterns

April 19, 2009

Progressive Grocer: The recession and related consumer financial concerns are driving dramatic change in shopping and eating behavior. Recent Retail Forward…

Opinion: Loyalty is more than points programs

Building a perfect loyalty program requires a delicate balance between reward and customer effort — and online retailers are leading the way.

Mother's Day spending dips, but 'moms will understand'

April 15, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — It's not easy having the hardest job in the world, but mom will likely understand the reasoning behind smaller, less expensive gifts for…

Gift cards a bright spot for retailers

April 14, 2009

Progressive Grocer: Shopping survey experts National Research Network (NRN) and leading consumer anthropologists The Hartman Group have announced data results…

Microsoft's Retail Experience Center: It's all about connectedness

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

The Redmond giant's retail test lab focuses on connecting all the moving parts of a retail enterprise, right down to the customer level.

New research initiative to measure qualitative effectiveness of in-store marketing

7-Eleven, Ahold, Frito-Lay North America, Pepsi-Cola North America Beverages, Walgreens are among the research participants.

What green can mean for a retailer's image

Properly leveraged, green initiatives can make customers feel better about shopping at certain stores.

Shoppers like trying new products, but only if the price is right

April 5, 2009

Progressive Grocer: Supermarket shoppers are creatures of habit, but one of those habits is a predilection for trying new things. That mixed message emerges…

Stores offer alcohol, movies to keep men shopping

April 2, 2009

The Wall Street Journal: On a recent afternoon, customers at Lost Boys in Washington, D.C., sipped cold beers and watched "Casino Royale" on a giant…

Item out of stock? Many shoppers won't buy a substitute

April 2, 2009

CSP: Call beverage consumers fickle, if you must, but their likelihood to leave a store without making a purchase if their preferred drink is hard to find or…

The retail power of suggestion

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

A carefully worded farewell can often subliminally impact shoppers into coming back for more.

The psychology of color at retail

Cultural, demographic differences play crucial roles in color design for the retail environment.

NRF, Shop.org Partner with Expo TV

March 17, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In an effort to gain more insight into what consumers are feeling, why they make certain decisions and how the economy has changed them…

Opinion: 12 ways to maximize the customer during a recession

The author of Retail Business Kit for Dummies weighs in with tips on how to get more out of each customer interaction and drive repeat business.

Luxury brands respond to tough economic times

Given the worldwide economic decline, the once seemingly recession-proof luxury sector is under siege.

Luxury consumers losing the urge to splurge

March 1, 2009

Jewelers Circular Keystone: It was only last summer that the Wall Street Journal was repeating the conventional wisdom that luxury items had not been affected…

Putting your best customers to work for you

The best retailers don't just serve their customers — they put them to work, on behalf of the organization.