Forecast: Smaller inventories, more price cutting for the 2009 holidays

November 10, 2009

The line between outlet stores and mainstream retail is blurring this holiday season as even upscale and luxury chains ratchet back their inventories and slash…

Gallery: In Japan, barcodes can be beautiful

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

November 10, 2009

Blog The Dieline has run a gallery of barcodes designed by the firm D-Barcode, and they truly beg the question of why more brands aren't doing this. After all…

Report: Social media, mobile phones are key retail influencers this year

November 10, 2009

Digital advancements continue to drive a new approach to shopping, with social media and mobile phones emerging as key influencers this holiday season…

NRF releases crowd management guidelines for retailers

November 8, 2009

As one of the busiest shopping days of the year approaches, retailers are focusing on one key component of their holiday plans: crowd control. With the help…

ResponseTek CEM upgrade adds SMS surveys, new reports

November 5, 2009

ResponseTek, a provider of on-demand customer experience management (CEM) software, has announced the Fall 2009 release of its ResponseTek:CEM solution.

Barnes & Noble Nook raises questions about digital-only products

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

Technology has made it possible to deliver music, movies, books and more without a physical product. But is that good for shoppers or retailers?

Top 100 Retail Movers & Shakers: 2010

Discover the companies, people, issues and trends that are shaping the future of retail. Are you on the list?

Presented by RetailCustomerExperience.com

Customers are buying down, and opportunities are rising, part 3

by Mike Wittenstein — Customer Experience and Service Designer, Storyminers

Customer-centric experience design is explored in this final installment of "Where's the Opportunity?"

NRF updates 'buyer beware' product list

November 2, 2009

The National Retail Federation has added new products to a consumer alert about common household items being sold through some online auction sites, warning…

Four strategies for a better retail holiday season

Retailers need to prepare for the upcoming season with carefully planned merchandise assortments, inventory levels and cross-channel promotions that drive…

Digital Signage Association to host free webinar on future trends

October 28, 2009

The Digital Signage Association (DSA) is holding a free webinar entitled "Digital Signage Future Trends" on Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 12 noon Eastern time. In this…

Are retailers under-valuing the importance of fitting rooms?

The most important conversion area — and at the same time the least serviced area — in apparel retail is the fitting room.

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.