Considerations When Placing a POS System

The point of sale is the last interaction a customer will have in the store. Having a cluttered, crowded system can leave a lasting negative impression.

Best Buy CEO: Low prices are 'table stakes' for retailers

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 25, 2009

Customers care about low prices, but they want a lot more from their retailers than just the best deal.

Target's new return policy raises questions

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 25, 2009

The bloggers at Consumer Reports are having fun trying to figure out how Target's new return policy works. While they acknowledge that the changes represent a…

The 'peak-end' rule: Can it transform your customer experience?

The "peak-end" rule says that if you take a moment to understand a concept, you have an opportunity to reevaluate and transform — an idea most retailers could…

Customers are buying down, and opportunities are rising

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Customer choices in a recession are looked at in part of a three-part series called "Where's the Opportunity?"    

Smart retailers fight walk-aways at the checkout

An average of 1.6 percent of customers leaves the checkout queue — and the store — without completing a purchase.

First Microsoft retail store could open next week

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 14, 2009

Next week is shaping up to be a big one for Microsoft: Not only is the company preparing to launch its Windows 7 operating system, but according to the Wall…

Freakonomics co-author to speak at NRF 2010

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Journalist Stephen Dubner has been added to the roster of "retail's big show," taking place this January in New York.

The Flaming Lips to open pop-up store for one day

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

Avant-garde rock band The Flaming Lips is going into the retail business, for exactly one day.

Steve Jobs helping overhaul Disney Stores

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

October 12, 2009

It looks like some of the visionary thinking that went into the Apple Stores is being brought to the retail wing of the Magic Kingdom: The New York Times…

ISME: Design of the Times 2009 award winners announced

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

At this week's In-Store Marketing Expo, a panel of 100 experts picked the year's best retail marketing initiatives in 16 categories.

Online shopping a 'work in progress,' says report

October 7, 2009

A new report released this week from Tealeaf Technology and Harris Interactive shows that the use of websites for transactions is growing and that while the…

ISME 09: Upstart Play N Trade redesigns its experience, takes aim at GameStop

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Executives from the fastest-growing video game retailer shared details on their store redesign and emphasis on in-store events.

Price Checkers and Digital Signage Can Provide Data to Customers

Price checking scanners and digital signage can be integrated to allow retailers to enhance marketing and offer convenience for customers, leading to increased…

Top 10 brand and marketing trends for 2010

A new definition of value, growing consumer expectations among the things brands and retailers will need to watch for.

Report: Store-based retailers see the most potential in mobile

September 30, 2009

RSR Research's latest report, "Online Commerce in 2009: The Model Has Changed — Have Retailers?" finds that store-based retailers see the greatest…

Cirque du Soleil reinvents its retail shop

The entertainment company recognized an opportunity to expand its performance experience into the concession and retail shop, creating a marketplace truly in…

Pharmacy chain installs in-store music and messaging system

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

September 24, 2009

Bartell Drugs, a 57-store pharmacy chain headquartered in Seattle, has added music and messaging capabilities from PlayNetwork in its stores. Bartell is the…

Opinion: The difference between clerking and selling

The Retail Doc explains why in-store staff should be moved beyond low-hanging fruit and into real selling.

Self-Checkout

Self-checkout has revolutionized retail by putting the “last mile” of the transaction in the hands of the shopper. In this exclusive guide, you will learn how…