Attention Marc Andreessen: Retail is not dying or dead. It's just changing dramatically

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Doug Stephens respects Marc Andreesen, but the founder of Retail Prophet doesn't agree with an Andreesen declaration that retail is dying, near dead and…

J. Crewsing into CEO branding: What Mickey Drexler can learn from Loblaw, REI

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

In his personal letter to shoppers, J. Crew CEO Mickey Drexler appears to be backing his brand promise with a personal promise. But if he wants to be a branded…

Outdoor gear retailer deploys tougher encryption for card transactions

June 3, 2016

Cabela's is shoring up credit and charge card transaction security with a new Point-to-Point Encryption solution from Ingenico Group. The technology, which is…

ICX Association honors best interactive customer experience tech at Elevate Awards 2016

The ICX Association last night honored excellence in interactive customer experience technologies with its 2016 Elevate Awards.

Data deals: 9 little-known but highly profitable retail insights

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

The combination of customer insights available today produces clearer understanding than ever. These nine "“gee whiz"insights should cause grocery retailers to…

Luxury retailer expands loyalty program to include online and offline purchases

June 2, 2016

Nordstrom wants to reward all its customers, no matter which venue they take in paying for a purchase. The luxury retailer is expanding its loyalty program…

Casper striving to flip mattress industry into new retail realm

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Casper Co-Founder and CEO Philip Krim is forging a new retail approach in the legacy business of selling mattresses, and he's isn't about to lie down and…

Report: Consumers love to be mobile when shopping

June 1, 2016

Today's retail consumers love to mix technology and in-store visits, especially when it comes to big purchases and conduct product research online while in a…

Neiman Marcus shoppers can now charge in more ways than one

June 1, 2016

Neiman Marcus wants to make sure customers can enjoy mobile devices while shopping and is deploying phone charging stations nationwide to make it happen.

Personalized email content campaigns focus of new partnership

May 31, 2016

Bluecore and Olapic are partnering up to provide retailers with an authentic, real-time personalized email campaign option, featuring user-generated content…

New brand leaders taking helm at Abercrombie & Fitch

May 31, 2016

Abercrombie & Fitch has named two new brand presidents.

Forgoing clicks and betting on bricks: What's the story?

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

NYC-based Story and the five ways it beats e-tailers.

Amazon opening second fulfillment center in Joliet

May 27, 2016

As part of its drive to speed product delivery Amazon is opening its second fulfillment center in Joliet, Illinois.

McDonald's strives to boost customer experience, all the way down to the bun

May 27, 2016

McDonald's is tweaking menu offerings and revamping service to make the customer happier, and the effort involves everything from longer toasted buns to the…

CVS Pharmacy moves to shred paper receipts with digital experience

May 26, 2016

CVS consumers won't be stuffing 20-inch cash register receipts into wallets for much longer as the retailer is moving to replace the traditional check-out…

Omnichannel retailer aims to give beauty industry a complete makeover

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

Birchbox is much more than an new beauty retailer. It's striving to define a new realm in customer experience and an innovative omnichannel strategy.

Survey: It's time to get personal with loyalty programs

May 25, 2016

Middle class consumers are expecting more than the traditional retail loyalty program and a personal touch to loyalty strategies can prove lucrative, according…

Stylish display with Quick Sign changes: New Chalkboard Crates from FFR

Highlight feature products and quickly make sign changes with FFR Merchandising’s new Chalkboard Crates.

Dunkin’ innovation chief: Hope is no strategy; retailers must differentiate or die

by Judy Mottl — Editor: RetailCustomerExperience.com & DigitalSignageToday.com, Connect Media

John Costello, Dunkin’ Brands president, global marketing and innovation, doesn’t mince words when it comes to the state of retail and what retailers must do…

Apple's Union Square store is anything but square when it comes to design

May 24, 2016

It took two years but Apple's newly designed Union Square store in San Francisco is open for business and reflects the long-admired Apple design and flair.