LEGO launches social hub for release of latest robotics platform

August 29, 2013

Proof that LEGOs are not solely for child's play: The building block company announced today that it has launched a social media hub in anticipation of the…

Retailer loyalty programs copycat airline industry

August 29, 2013

Retailers may be crafting their loyalty programs to reflect the airline industry — with elite levels and extra perks for shoppers who spend the most money…

Measurement is necessary, but not sufficient to produce change

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

Every once in a while you need to be "gobsmacked." I think I first used the British slang gobsmacked in a 2010 blog, and I've been waiting for an appropriate…

Commentary: The showrooming myth

The "false paradigm of showrooming" will only distract retailers from the real task at hand.

OfficeMax opens 'store of the future' in Chicago

August 28, 2013

OfficeMax Inc. has announced the opening of its first Chicago-area OfficeMax Business Solutions Center — the retailer's new store format designed to provide…

Customer loyalty: Woody Allen vs. your local ATM

by Micah Solomon — president, four aces inc

In my years as a customer service consultant, I've yet to hear a customer blurt out anything that sounds like this:

AT&T talks customer experience at RCEES

Amanda Collins, Customer Experience Manager for AT&T flagship store in Chicago, gave a presentation at this year's Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit…

Best Buy's new look

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

A little over a year ago I had the worst buying experience I’ve ever had at my local Best Buy store. I thought that the two associates in front of me were…

Has the Apple Store lost its uniqueness?

Apple's third quarter earnings dipped slightly, the first decline since 2009.

Comcast tunes into kiosks inside its largest customer service center

August 27, 2013

Comcast recently held the grand opening for its interactive Xfinity Service Center in Houston, with self-service kiosks serving as integral features of the…

Mercent intros service that brings product info, price to Pinterest pins

August 26, 2013

A new service from Seattle-based Mercent is aiming to strengthen the relationship between retailers and Pinterest.

Kiosk rewards recycling with coupons

August 23, 2013

SuperMax supermarkets in Puerto Rico have launched an in-store, kiosk-based coupon program that rewards shoppers with deals when they recycle newpapers…

Sur La Table soups up omnichannel with help from eCommera

August 22, 2013

London-based eCommera announced an agreement with retail chain Sur La Table to provide actionable insights and recommended business changes to improve its…

Walmart hopes to woo shoppers with fee-free layaway

August 21, 2013

In front of 6,000 Walmart associates at Walmart's annual holiday meeting Wednesday, Duncan Mac Naughton, the retailer's chief merchandising and marketing…

Neiman Marcus launches online beauty specialist program

August 21, 2013

Neiman Marcus has launched its online Beauty Product Specialist Program, offering online customers the personalized counter experience they would receive in a…

RCEES: How to keep your brand message burning when traditional marketing fades

by Natalie Gagliordi — Editor of KioskMarketplace.com, Networld Media Group

With a focus on humans and the right customer service, brands can sidestep the dangers of ineffective marketing.

Netflix uncovers clue to customer preferences

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

Call it the case of the mysterious movie preferences.

AT&T retail chief explains 'The Store of the Future'

by Carmine Gallo — President, GCG

As consumers shift many of their purchases online, will physical retail stores even have a reason to exist? That’s the difficult question AT&T retail…

Squawk Box talks about retail's tracking habit

August 19, 2013

A recent segment on CNBC's Squawk Box addressed the "creepy" practice of brick-and-mortar retailers using technology to track and gather data on in-store…

RCEES: Retail's refocus on customer service

by Alicia Kelso — Editor, QSRWeb.com

Creating a customer-centric environment is key to a successful business.