Turning a frown upside-down: How negative WOM can help your brand

by Bryan Pearson — President, LoyaltyOne

UK's Dixons opens 'Store of the Future'

September 13, 2013

The U.K.-based electronics retailer Dixons has opened its Currys/PC World "Store of the Future," an article on pcr-online.biz reported.

Why Jerry Seinfeld is a customer service consultant

by Micah Solomon — president, four aces inc

"We're craving the nondigital even more these days, the authentically human interaction," says Jerry Seinfeld, explaining (I would argue) not just live standup…

What to take away from the 2013 back-to-school season

Sales data can show how successful your back-to-school season was, but numbers don’t reveal the reasons why.

Macy's makes a push for Millennials with in-store kiosks

September 11, 2013

Macy's announced an effort to strengthen its appeal to the Millennial customer with an expansion of its athletic apparel assortment — and it is using…

TrendSource to begin RCE blog series

September 11, 2013

TrendSource attended the Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit in San Diego last month, and returned with invaluable insight from some of the nation's…

PayPal points Beacon toward the future of in-store payments

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

PayPal takes simplifying mobile payments to new level with the launch of its hands-free function.

Maritz webinar to discuss customer experience measurement

September 10, 2013

On September 18, Retail Customer Experience will host "How to truly make a difference with your customer experience measurement program," a free live webinar…

A brainstorming tool to use with your staff

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

Your employees are a tremendous source of information and insight. They can share how to deliver a better customer experience, or how to sell more. They might…

AT&T goes heavy on digital signage, interactivity in KY, OH stores

September 10, 2013

As the lines between the physical and digital retail worlds blur and consumers turn to their mobile devices and apps to enhance their mobile lifestyle…

What if a 'foodie' ran your store?

by Chris Petersen — Owner, IMS

After returning from India, I had to an opportunity to meet with over 70 technology retailers from Latin America last week. For all retailers owning brick and…

Jim Knight on how to find, hire and keep the right people

Training and business culture veteran Jim Knight was the opening keynote speaker at this year's Retail Customer Experience Executive Summit, held August 13-1…

Moving past the showroom challenge: The beauty of Sephora's customer-centric approach

by Jeannie Walters — Chief Customer Experience Investigator, 360Connext

Many retailers have been spending a lot of time and energy battling showrooming.

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…