Geo-fencing makes targeted text offers possible

December 4, 2011

Consumers who visit any of the 27 open-air malls owned by DDR, a commercial real estate company, can receive text messages offering deals from the retailers in…

Leveraging Engagement Technology for the Holiday Season

Learn four touchpoints to provide an exceptional customer experience.

Presented by HP Inc.

Are you overlooking what your customers are looking over?

by Harry Friedman

Most retailers spend a great deal of time making their stores visually appealing. Whether your merchandising style projects an opulent, prestigious image, or a…

Bathrooms: More than meets the eye

by Kimberly Nasief — President, Measure Consumer Perspectives

I recently saw an article online — "How the Restroom Symbolizes Your Whole Operation" — about sustainability and hygiene in the workplace, but it started me…

Shaping the customer experience with digital signage

by James Bickers

The goal is two-fold: accomplish the task at hand, and make the customer feel good about how it was accomplished.

Do you believe customers are an asset, or a cost center?

by Jeanne Bliss — Founder, CustomerBliss

With only one retail location, Zane's Cycles of Connecticut is one of the three largest bike shops in the United States. They sell $15 million each year in…

Apple employees: We know where you are

November 28, 2011

Apple employees in Palo Alto, Calif., know the location of all their customers, thanks to a new technology the company is using to help speed purchases.

Wal-Mart, Amazon eliminating 'wrap rage'

November 28, 2011

Too much packaging leads to "wrap rage," according to Amazon.com Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc. The companies are working together to encourage manufacturers to…

Best Buys are after five in Fox Point

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Disenchanted employees of Target, Best Buy and other retailers who are facing the prospect of working Thanksgiving evening — and we mean all evening — should…

Poll: Retailers to lose customers if shelves aren't full

November 21, 2011

Nearly 70 percent of U.S. adults would avoid shopping at a retail store if they encountered empty shelves, according to a nationwide survey commissioned by…

Toys "R" Us intros new mobile solutions

November 21, 2011

Toys"R"Us shoppers have more ways to stock up on gifts this holiday season. In addition to updates made to store's iPhone and Android apps, Toys R Us has…

Barneys New York going 'Gaga'

November 21, 2011

Barneys New York has opened its GAGA'S WORKSHOP, a take on Santa's workshop that includes a transformed retail environment, holiday windows, a Gaga interactive…

Maximizing sales during the Christmas rush

by Harry Friedman

'Twas the day before Christmas and all through the store,Not a salesper­son was available, so I walked out the door.

Survey names top 10 retailers for customer service

November 20, 2011

Whether it's an unbeatable return policy, a helpful sales associate or 24-hour shopping convenience, holiday shoppers define customer service in a variety of…

Checkpoint Systems helping Books-A-Million enhance customer experience

November 20, 2011

Checkpoint Systems Inc., a global supplier of shrink management, merchandise visibility and apparel labeling solutions for the retail industry, today announced…

Social shopping: Are we there yet?

Retailers are increasingly turning to social media, but how many have realized its potential?

How Google Street View might open the e-com door for small retail

by Doug Stephens — President, Retail Prophet Consulting

If you use Google maps, then you're probably familiar with Street View. As the name suggests, Street View allows users to literally fly down to street level…

Speed up sales by using QR codes

by Laurel Tielis — Author and Professional Speaker, Laurel Tielis & Associates

In addition to sushi and bonsai trees, we can thank the Japanese for QR codes, those black-and-white patterned squares that have become ubiquitous.They were…

AT&T testing new store concept in Chicago

November 16, 2011

AT&T, with 2,300 stores, is one of the country's largest retailers, but now it's on a mission to be the best when it comes to customer service.

Unintentional branding

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

When we think of branding we tend to think of very large companies with hundreds of millions of dollars to spend on branding.