Smaller boxes work for Whole Foods

Whole Foods Markets' push to target smaller markets with smaller stores is performing well above expectations.

Australian retailer taking 'window shopping' to next level

February 16, 2012

Australian multichannel fashion brand Sportsgirl is unveiling a 24/7 shopping experience with a "window shop," that allows customers to purchase products…

NRF: 2012 all about customer interaction and experience

February 15, 2012

In an effort to build customer engagement, capture wallet share and accelerate sales growth, retailers in 2012 will focus on a number of customer-centric…

Building loyalty the Hsieh way

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Perhaps it has something to do with our general fondness for footwear and do-goodery, because when it comes to delivering a positive image, Zappos.com walks…

Udi's Food using ShelfX self-checkout

February 13, 2012

ShelfX, a provider of a self-checkout and inventory management solution, announced today that Udi's Food will integrate the system to shorten customer…

Good selling is good service; Good service is good selling

Sales and service are not separate functions. They are two sides of the same coin.

Four customer experience management predictions for 2012

by Kimberly Nasief — President, Measure Consumer Perspectives

Customer experience management is going to undergo some serious changes in the coming months, thanks to mobile technology and social media. And I can make a…

JCPenney: A new, well-reasoned approach to retailing

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

CEO Ron Johnson rolled out a new plan for JCPenney that includes:

Designer Michael Graves, Target to end partnership

February 8, 2012

After a 15-year collaboration, designer Michael Graves and Target are parting ways.

Is Amazon Prime the next retail game-changer?

February 8, 2012

Amazon Prime may be poised to redefine consumers' shopping expectations, according to a blogger on MSNBC. Prime, launched in 2005, is a membership program that…

Timberland stores testing interactive shopping experience

February 8, 2012

Timberland has launched an interactive shopping experience to help shoppers discover the great outdoors with Timberland gear, technologies and brand…

Consumers create the basis for growth strategies: Retail predictions for 2012

Once again, in 2012, there is a clear recognition that the omnichannel consumer is in charge.

Life (and Honda) moves pretty fast

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Matthew Broderick gave us a time-out during the Super Bowl, and for a middle-aged, recession-weary public, the timing couldn't have been better.

Walmart unveils 'Great For You' icon

February 7, 2012

A year after pledging to develop a front-of-pack label that would give its customers an easier way to identify healthier food, Walmart Stores has unveiled the…

Consumer Reports rates Costco as top major retail chain

February 7, 2012

Costco pleased shoppers better than any other retailer, according to a Consumer Reports survey of more than 26,000 readers, who told the organization about…

Four tips for exceeding your customer's expectations

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

When we exceed a customer's expectation he/she is more likely to make a purchase, become a repeat customer, and tell others about their great experience in our…

Low prices and drug shortages

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

"Essentially all of the drug shortages that occur in the U.S. arise in the generics market, where profitability is fairly low," Greg Conko, of the Competitive…

Dressing rooms offering customized experience

January 30, 2012

When C. Wonder, a trendy boutique in Westfield Garden State Plaza in New Jersey, opened on Black Friday, customers were more excited about the fitting room…

Target leads fight to stop 'showrooming'

Will other retailers follow Target's lead in asking vendors to create in-store-only products?

Why you should trust your hunches

by Harvey Mackay — Author, Mackay Mitchell

My favorite Peanuts character, Charlie Brown, is on the pitcher's mound psyching himself up: "It's the last of the ninth. The bases are loaded. there are two…