Disney's price increases: Yoda or Goofy?

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

In a June 20, 2011 Orlando Sentinal article, "Disney pricing strategy: Seeking more profits out of long-term visitors," Jason Garcia cites hefty price…

Closing the sale: Moving from transactions to 'thank you'

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

The customer decision-making process never ends with the actual sale. Too many retailers fail to recognize the importance and immediacy of the final step in…

Zappo's Tony Hsieh on The Colbert Report

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

In case you missed it: Zappo's CEO Tony Hsieh appeared as the interview guest on Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report" the other night, discussing his…

New Wrinkle in the Advertising World

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Cosmetics companies have given a new meaning to the term “beauty before age,” and it’s gotten them the old heave-ho in Britain.

How Fromagination is the Big Cheese in Wisconsin

by Annamaria Turano — Executive Director, MCAworks

Fromagination has a passion for artisan cheese and perfect companions. Named a 2011 Outstanding Retailer by the National Association for the Specialty Food…

How Apple can beat the fake Apple Stores

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

In today's New York Times, Nick Bilton writes about fake Apple stores selling real Apple products popping up. He notes that the "store design and employees are…

Traditions build customer loyalty

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

Over the weekend, I went on a trip to my favorite vacation spot: Family Camp. This is a little spot nestled in the forest of the Sierras right outside…

Not So Pretty in Pink

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Customer experience: Southern hospitality at its finest

by Peggy Carlaw — VP, Impact Learning Systems

I live in the happiest place in America. No, it's not Disneyland, it's San Luis Obispo, California. At times, it feels like I'm in a small southern town where…

Walmart gas discounts: Will they change the fuel incentive landscape?

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

That value isn’t necessarily derived from lower prices — though, of course, price is a strong loyalty motivator for consumers. As a giant retail leader that…

Stop marketing already!

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

We live in an age George Jetson would consider futuristic (sans the flying cars, of course). We have pushbutton everything. Pushbotton marketing, pushbutton…

Avoiding your Napster Moment

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

In a previous post I talked about how companies are often blind-sided by what I call Napster moments. Napster moments are radical, game-changing innovations…

Safeway Borrows a Page from the Travel Industry

by Sharon Goldman — Senior Director, COLLOQUY

We’ve known for a while that Safeway, North America’s second largest grocery chain, has been on the right track when it comes to the Enterprise Loyalty…

You have got to hit the customer

by Doug Fleener — President and Managing Partner, Dynamic Experiences Group, LLC

No, not literally! Although while hitting customers would obviously be bad for business, it would give you a chance to build a relationship with Bubba the Bail…

Help the front line right the wrong

by Jeanne Bliss — Founder, CustomerBliss

Alma Rettew bought a holiday gift for a friend, and asked L.L. Bean, whom she bought it from, to get it to her friend on a specific date (the company has a…

US Airways suing for lower prices

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

A recent Miami Herald headline - "US Airways sues Sabre over pricing." According to the article US Airways isn't the only airline, American has a suit pending…

You can't sell a Rolex like a Ram Truck

by Bob Phibbs — CEO, The Retail Doctor

More and more brands are opening their own retail outlets in an effort to make their brand stand out. But more importantly to control their image.

Groupons in Plastic Instead of Paper? Not so Fishy

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

How much does it cost to be rude?

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Consumer Reports July 2011 edition tells us that "Sixty-four percent of respondents said that during the previous 12 months they had left a store because…

Are your store operations preventing sales?

by Harry Friedman

Have you ever had someone ask you the reason behind one of your policies or procedures, such as not accepting any deliveries on Tuesdays? Or, maybe you've had…